Long storage life curiosity - eviltoast

Hey guys, I just had a curiosity on the multiple ways of storaging stuff and how long would that hold, take backing it up to a newer storage after some years out of the table.

So how did this come in my mind, I was just reminiscing about how I used to play games with inserting a CD or Cartridge onto the device and how I miss that flavour.

I would like to do it again, I already like having my games dependancy free (praise mr goldmountain), and I am saving up some money to spend on hoarding possibilities. I would like to know what would have the longest storage life, would burning games into bluray discs be too unhinged or is something I am missing?

Thanks in advance in helping me out witht his brainstorm.

  • lemmyvore@feddit.nlEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    Always use ZFS if you want to use software RAID arrays. And never rely on RAID alone, also use some form of offline backup alongside them, and ideally you should also keep a spare ready to be used automatically in case of failure.

    Which is why RAID doesn’t really make sense for small number of disks, only starts working out around 6-8 disks and up. If you only have 2-5 disks you’re much better off setting them up as backup rather than RAID, and only make small arrays if you absolutely must.

    Some examples:

    • You have 2 disks: use 1 live + 1 backup.
    • 3 disks: 1 live + 1 backup + 1 another backup, or 2 in ZFS mirror + 1 backup.
    • 4 disks: 2 mirrored + 1 backup + 1 another backup, or 2 mirrored + 1 standby spare + 1 backup. Do not do RAID with 3 or 4 disks without a standby spare, it makes no sense, and even if you do RAID5 + 1 spare or RAID10 you don’t have backups, the RAID won’t protect against accidental deletions.
    • 5 disks: this is where you can do 3 in parity RAID + 1 spare + 1 backup, or triple RAID1 + 2 backups for ultra safety, or RAID6 without spare + 1 backup (provided you buy another disk as soon as one fails in the RAID6).