1x8 or 2x4

[WBadminUser]

So i am just getting around to putting my pool together and am wondering what would be pros and cons on doing a 1x8 vs a 2x4.

I am using 2 external 4 port bays so one of the pros of a 2x4 would be if one bay got unplugged i don't lose the whole pool. I just loose the pool i unplug.

An obvious con is i am not managing two pools.

Just thinking out loud.

 

 

[Christopher (Drashna)]

Ah, you mean of pools.

 

It depends on why, and how they're connected.

If you have the option of eSATA over USB, then take it. USB is inherently less stable, so I would recommend against it, if you have the option. 

 

And yeah, unless you have the need for a secondary pool, I would recommend against it.

 

 

However, if the enclosures failing or getting unplugged is a concern:

Download the Ordered File placement balancer. This fills up disks one (or two, with duplication) at a time. 

If you duplicate everything, you could alternate the order of the disks (one from "enclosure 1", the second from "enclosure 2"), that way, if an enclosure gets unplugged, you should still be able to access the contents of the pool, without any issues.

https://stablebit.com/DrivePool/Plugins