I am migrating from a Synology setup (DS1817+ and DS3617XS as a backup) to ZFS after discovering that a RAID6 array + btrfs was no garantee to keep-up the data safe. Members of my family are all Synology users and I offer them a central backup, so I need space (>50TB) for the central backup.
I purchased a R720XD (config below in my signature) and performed preliminary test using a Debian system with:
Preliminary Boot on USB key connected in the R720XD for /boot and EFI.
Subsequent System boot on /dev/md0 with RAID 1 on Nvme and btrfs (which is quite effective on RAID1).
RAIZ3 with 12 x discs and 1 spare (not installed).
I could also install OpenMediaVault, with zfs plugin but this does not bring me anything except a nice web interface. I also manage my Docker user docker compose command line. I do everything in command line.
At this point, I discovered that if I migrate to TrueNAS, I will need to install using the stock TrueNAS installer, which does not support RAID1 for system. My R720XD does not boot from NVMe, so I need some tricks to boot from NVMe. And overall, I will certainly not benefit from a RAID1 system for OS.
Could you outline what TrueNAS brings over a pure Debian setup? I am interested and will be using TrueNAS if this really brings me something.
I always find these questions interesting as Im sure you are aware you are asking this on the TrueNAS forum where users who love and use TrueNAS reside. Therefore you are unlikely to get a balanced view point.
In summary I would say TrueNAS is a storage focused software appliance whereas Debian is a General Purpose Operating System. If you focused your question on what is the difference between an appliance and an OS I think you will find all the answers you need.
From there, the “better” choice really depends on whether you want a tightly controlled storage appliance or a fully flexible OS you build and maintain yourself.
Thank you for you answer and the thread about vanilla Debian, you can move my post there. The main reason why I will probably stay under Debian 13:
Debian installer is more versatile and allow preliminary boot on USB and subsequent boot on /dev/md0 with main system on bfs and tank on zfs. My R720XD does not boot on NVMe and this is a real limitation. Also, I prefer to use 2x NVMe for system in RAID1.
Stability and ACLs.
If you know some interesting feature in TrueNAS that is not accessible with Debian, please let me know and I will consider using TrueNAS.
The reason why I asked the question here on this TrueNAS forum is that there are a lot of power users and I need to create the ZFS tank only once (cannot or hardly may not migrate afterwards) so I need to do the right choice from the beginning.
You know tank is just a common name for a ZFS pool simply because of the character in the Matrix movie popular at the time ZFS was developed right? It is widely seen in ZFS documentation to this day simply because of that reason alone.
Dozer is another popular one for that same reason.
Point is you can name your pool whatever you like.
how comfortable you are with maintaining a Debian install vs. the simplicity of truenas.
Whether “simple” Unix permissions are good enough or whether you need tight integration with a domain manager, ACLs, and other windowisms, odd network protocols, etc.
How much you enjoy using a GUI for 90% of tasks related to the NAS vs. the CLI. How much you appreciate a GUI that simplifies storage setup, disk visualization, snapshot management, replication setup, and other storage oriented features
How much you value a VM / container / LXC / apps management tool that is starting to mature to the point where it seems to be stable and remain usable / supported for the foreseeable future.
How much you’d benefit from the brain trust here regarding the steep learning curve that TrueNAS entails but that likely would be even steeper for plain Debian if you start using even more advanced features.
How much you value using the NAS to pull SSL certificates for your home infrastructure - switches, Apps, etc. Some folk do this via opnsense or whatever it’s called.
So those are some the reasons I still prefer TrueNAS. On the plus side, I cannot believe plain Debian is as hopelessly behind the times as trueNAS is for NUT, and like support packages. Or, the benefit of being able to selectively upgrade same on Debian vs. having to wait until approx 2027 for my EcoFlow delta 3 plus UPS to be supported.
Debian install is indeed very comfortable and I would suggest TrueNAS to adopt the Debian installer, as it allow to select first boot, subsequent boot and create a RAID 1 for the OS. The Debian installer does not have native support for ZFS though. You need to reboot and create a zfs pool.
Good point. I only use simple permissions.
I prefer CLI. Still I have OpenMediavault on top of my Debian, but I don’t use it much.
VMs and LXC are technologies from the past. I used them in the late years of 2000. Now Docker is the standard and docker compose is the way to go.
Debian is the most standard OS in the world. I expect to discover the learning curve of TrueNAS.
Good point. I don’t manage my SSL certificates in a central repository.
No, unfortunately I don’t know how to boot on a dual NVMe in TrueNAS, as my R720XD does not support NVMe boot and I don’t know how to create a RAID1 zfs within the TrueNAS installer (I am interested). In Debian, I boot on the /boot and UEFI partitions on the internal USB connector, and then subsequently all system is on /dev/md0 with RAID1 and btrfs.
I purchased a controller for two rear 2.5 drives and purchased 2 x SAS SSD for system. This is acceptable to have system on a RAID1 with two SAS SSD. Still I am waiting for them.
When you boot your TrueNAS installer you simply select which devices you would like to install the OS on. If you select two a mirror is automatically created.
Debian 13 (might consider TrueNAS)
1x Dell PowerEdge R720XD
20x16GB = 320GB RAM
Preliminary boot on USB (/boot and UEFI) connector inside
Subsequent boot on /dev/md0 in btrfs with 2 x 1TB NVMe
LSI SAS 2308 HBA in IT mode
RAIDZ3 pool with 12 x 10TB SAS discs + 1 spare
Backplane rear controller with 2 x SAS SSDs (still waiting)
Dual SFP+ 10 Gbit/s NIC
[details="My system specs" open]
Debian 13 (might consider TrueNAS)
1x Dell PowerEdge R720XD
20x16GB = 320GB RAM
Preliminary boot on USB (/boot and UEFI) connector inside
Subsequent boot on /dev/md0 in btrfs with 2 x 1TB NVMe
LSI SAS 2308 HBA in IT mode
RAIDZ3 pool with 12 x 10TB SAS discs + 1 spare
Backplane rear controller with 2 x SAS SSDs (still waiting)
Dual SFP+ 10 Gbit/s NIC
[/details]
I find this thread very interesting because I am coming from the other side so too speak. I have a debian server with zfs and docker and I am now looking into truenas to see if that is an alternative for me.
Since a few days I have installed truenas on a spare PC and I am now trying to setup similar services as I have setup on my debian server: docker with nextcloud and jellyfin, samba shares, nfs shares.
What I have found so far:
truenas is storing encryption keys on disk. That does not protect the data when the hardware has been stolen. My debian server retrieves the encryption keys during boot from a remote repository. Without access to that repo it can not mount the zfs datasets. I like that much more.
nextcloud setup in truenas is somewhat more complex than with docker+portainer. Especially when external storage locations have to be included. I am currently struggling with my external photo folder. When I add it to the truenas nextcloud config it wont start anymore. I am sure I am doing something wrong. But what? With portainer resp. docker compose this is much easier from my point of view.
On my debian server I am using geoblocking and fail2ban. I have not yet found a solution for that on truenas.
These 3 items stop me from further investigating truenas. I will keep it installed and play with it. But from my point of view it can’t keep up with Debian + Docker + Portainer + … .
