I wanted to try this for years, but no one would let me

Summary

The video explores the unconventional method of booting Windows over iSCSI, highlighting its impracticality for home users while noting its potential in managed IT environments with large installations. It discusses the benefits of folder redirection for efficient storage management and recovery. The speaker recommends Kioxia's high-performance PCIe Gen 4 NVMe drives, emphasizing their speed and efficiency for various applications. The content also hints at future projects, like building a NAS, showcasing the innovative use of technology in practical scenarios. Overall, the video balances technical insights with engaging experimentation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The experiment involved booting Windows from a NAS using iSCSI after a boot SSD failure.
• 💻 A dual 144-core Intel server served as the central NAS, showcasing the power of modern hardware.
• 🔗 High-speed connectivity was achieved using Nvidia ConnectX 6 dual-port 100 Gb network interface cards.
• 🌐 A MikroTik CRS switch facilitated efficient networking with both 100 Gb and 25 Gb ports.
• ⚙️ StarWind VSAN was selected for its user-friendly setup and superior performance compared to traditional solutions.
• 📦 Centralized storage in a NAS allows for better management of backups and redundancy against drive failures.
• 💰 This setup can be more cost-effective than multiple individual drives in different PCs.
• ⚡ Deduplication and compression using ZFS help optimize storage use on the NAS.
• ⏳ Performance issues were noted, particularly with application and game loading times due to network bottlenecks.
• ⚠️ The system's single point of failure means if the NAS server goes down, all connected PCs become unusable.
• 🛠️ The complexity of setting up and managing such a system is not recommended for typical home users.
• 🏢 The hosts suggested that this setup might be better suited for environments with dedicated IT management, like LAN cafés.

Q & A

What unconventional method was discussed for booting Windows?

The script humorously mentions booting Windows from an Ice Cube, which is not recommended for typical use.

Why is folder redirection used in large IT environments?

Folder redirection is used to optimize storage by directing user folders to a network share, allowing for deduplication and compression, which simplifies management of storage usage.

What are the benefits of deduplication and compression in IT management?

Deduplication eliminates duplicate copies of data, while compression reduces the size of stored data, making storage more efficient and manageable.

What type of drives did the speaker recommend?

The speaker recommended Kioxia’s CD8 series PCIe Gen 4 drives, which support NVMe 1.4 and utilize 112-layer 3D TLC flash for high speed and efficiency.

What advantage do Kioxia’s drives offer?

Kioxia’s drives are noted for their speed, great performance, and a variety of options to meet different storage needs.

What humorous element was included in the script regarding the Ice Cube booting?

The speaker humorously acknowledges the impracticality of using an Ice Cube to boot Windows, despite the fact that it appears to work.

What future project did the speaker hint at involving the discussed drives?

The speaker hinted at the potential of using the discussed drives to build a new Network Attached Storage (NAS) system.

How does the script emphasize the importance of IT management in larger setups?

The script highlights that in environments with many computers, effective IT management practices such as folder redirection are essential for optimizing storage and ensuring data recoverability.

What previous project was referenced by the speaker?

The speaker referenced a previous project where Jake built a NAS for home use, indicating a focus on practical tech solutions.

What is the overall tone of the conversation in the script?

The overall tone is informal and humorous, blending technical insights with lighthearted commentary on unconventional tech practices.