Since 2016, I’ve had a fileserver mostly just for backups. System is on 1 drive, RAID6 for files, and semi-annual cold backup.

I was playing with Photoprism, and their docs say “we recommend placing the storage folder on a local SSD drive for best performance.” In this case, the storage folder holds basically everything but the pictures themselves such as the database files.

Up until now, if I lost any database files, it was just a matter of rebuilding them by re-indexing my photos or whatever, but I’m looking for something more robust since I’ll have some friends/family using Pixelfed, Matrix, etc.

So my question is: Is it a valid strategy to keep database files on the SSD with some kind of nightly backup to RAID, or should I just store the whole lot on the RAID from the get go? Or does it even matter if all of these databases can fit in RAM anyway?

edit: I’m just now learning of ZFS caching which might be my answer.

  • ch00f@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
    2·
    18 hours ago

    Thanks for the tips. I’ll definitely at least start with mdadm since that’s what I’ve already got running, and I’ve got enough other stuff to worry about.

    Are you worried at all about bit rot? I hear that’s one drawback of mdadm or raid vs. zfs.

    Also, any word on when photoprism will support the Coral TPU? I’ve got one of those and haven’t found much use for it.