Dumb NAS - Network storage options

rexehuk · 2025-12-22T09:03:49+0000

Hey all,

I bought an optiplex micro 7060 and that's all up and running a 2TB SSD and an NVME.

I want to now have some more storage on my network to utilise via the server, and not sure what the best options are here.

This storage is going to offload things from the server like

- Photo store for immich
- Any media overflow from main server which may mean sometimes media is delivered via this (using jellyfin)
- Any other apps I decide to self host

Most NAS I see are servers in themselves, which I feel like I don't need and have no desires to host on them over the optiplex which is more than powerful enough and is fully dockerised.

All I constantly read is don't go USB due to reliability, you'll need an cache layer for jellyfin etc...

What is most cost effective solution here to bolt on ~2 3.5" HDDs into this setup and not run into any issues?

- Network is 2.5Gbit
- Router is a UDR7 if there is any ubiquity stuff in this space (their newly released ones UNAS 2 are explicitly recommended against streaming files, because of no cache capabilities)

hornetstinger · 2025-12-22T09:21:52+0000

Use any SATA ports for SATA HDD?
If you don't have any SATA ports use a spare PCI-E controller for NVME/SATA controller to add drives

rexehuk · 2025-12-22T09:29:08+0000

hornetstinger said:
Use any SATA ports for SATA HDD?
If you don't have any SATA ports use a spare PCI-E controller for NVME/SATA controller to add drives

Updated description, it's actually an OPTIPLEX MICRO 7060, I think I'm limited to NVME + 2.5" drive, but possible there is some frankenmod to let me do more, I'd rather go down a native route though.

#Chri5# · 2025-12-22T09:42:54+0000

Do you want the storage connected to the Optiplex or elsewhere on the network?

If it's local to the Optiplex, you could get an external eSATA/USB enclosure which will take two 3.5" drives. Startech do one, part code S352BU33RER which you could pair with an eSATA card if you don't have an eSATA port.

rexehuk · 2025-12-22T10:32:53+0000

#Chri5# said:
Do you want the storage connected to the Optiplex or elsewhere on the network?

If it's local to the Optiplex, you could get an external eSATA/USB enclosure which will take two 3.5" drives. Startech do one, part code S352BU33RER which you could pair with an eSATA card if you don't have an eSATA port.

Leaning towards network, I've read fair bit of stuff saying USB controller drives for servers are unreliable which has been part of the problem. Unfortunately no eSata capability in this unit, and no card capabilities again in the micro. It does have USB 3.1 which obviously sounds like it would work with USB setup, but worried about reliability there.