Unraid is a versatile NAS and server software that impresses with its flexibility and user-friendliness. If you want to get started with Unraid, you will quickly realize that the USB stick is a central part of the installation. In this article, you will learn why Unraid needs a USB stick, why an SSD or HDD is not suitable and how to choose the right stick. We also take a look at alternatives such as industrial USB sticks and SD card readers. Here are our unRaid USB stick recommendations:
Why does unRaid need a USB stick?
Unraid is started exclusively from a USB stick and not, as is usual with other operating systems, from an SSD or HDD. There are several important reasons for this:
- Licensing: Your Unraid license is bound to the GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) of the USB stick. This unique identifier ensures that your license cannot be easily transferred to another system. A USB stick offers a practical and simple solution here.
- Flexibility: The USB stick allows you to run the operating system independently of the installed hard disks. This means that all drives are fully available for storage purposes.
- Easy handling: Updates and backups of the Unraid installation are particularly easy with the USB stick. You can quickly transfer the files to the stick or create a backup copy.
- Efficient memory requirements: A USB stick requires hardly any space in the server housing and works largely in the background after the boot process, as Unraid mainly runs in RAM.
Requirements for a USB stick for Unraid
To ensure that your Unraid system runs stably and reliably, you should consider a few important points when choosing a USB flash drive:
- Reliability: The stick should be robust and cope with continuous use without any problems. Low-quality sticks can fail quickly and lead to data loss.
- Speed: While USB 2.0 sticks are sufficient in most cases, a faster USB 3.0 stick can speed up the boot process.
- Capacity: Unraid itself only requires a few gigabytes. A stick with 8 to 16 GB is ideal and still offers enough space for additional files such as plug-ins or configuration data.
- Brand quality: Go for established brands such as SanDisk, Kingston or Samsung. These sticks are more durable and offer better reliability.
These requirements are also confirmed by the official unRaid documentation.
unRaid USB stick recommendations:
Recommendation: Transcend JetFlash 280T
The JetFlash 280T from Transcend is a USB flash drive specially developed for industrial applications that offers maximum reliability and durability. Thanks to its use of high-quality NAND flash memory, the JetFlash 280T is designed for an exceptionally high number of read and write cycles. This makes it ideal for demanding applications where data integrity and endurance are critical.
With a robust housing and a wide operating temperature range, the JetFlash 280T is perfect for use in harsh environments such as factories, server rooms or other industrial facilities. Its high read and write speed ensures smooth data transfer, while advanced ECC (Error Correction Code) technologies protect data from corruption.
Firmware properties
- Built-in ECC (Error Correction Code) functionality
- Wear leveling
Hardware properties
- Backwards compatible with USB 2.0
- High-quality 3D NAND Flash
- Endurance: 3K P/E cycles (Program/Erase cycles) guaranteed
- Hot-swapping for easy plug-and-play
- Up to 320 TBW
What does TBW (Total Bytes Written) mean?
TBW (Total Bytes Written) refers to the total amount of data that a storage solution such as an SSD or memory card can safely write over its lifetime. This value is given in terabytes (TB) and serves as a measure of the durability and service life of the storage medium.
A higher TBW value means that the storage solution is more durable and can withstand more write cycles, which is particularly important for intensive use, such as in industrial or professional applications.
Transcend JetFlash 600 Extreme-Speed 16GB
The Transcend JetFlash 600 USB flash drive is particularly characterized by its long-lasting MLC memory. The USB 2.0 interface meets the official requirements and 16 GB of memory is more than enough.
Why is MLC memory better?
MLC memory (Multi-Level Cell) is a type of flash memory that is often used in SSDs and other storage devices. The name refers to the fact that each memory cell can store multiple bits, typically two bits per cell. This distinguishes MLC from SLC (Single-Level Cell) memory, which stores only one bit per cell, and TLC (Triple-Level Cell) memory, which stores three bits per cell. MLC offers a higher storage density, as more data can be stored on the same surface area, resulting in a larger capacity with the same space requirement. Another advantage is the lower manufacturing costs compared to SLC, as fewer cells are required to store the same amount of data.
Compared to TLC and QLC (Quad-Level Cell), MLC impresses with a longer service life and higher write cycle stability, as fewer bits are stored per cell. MLC also offers advantages in terms of performance, as storing and retrieving two bits per cell is less complex than with memory types with a higher bit density. Compared to SLC, which impresses with its high speed and durability, MLC is somewhat slower and less robust, but offers a better price-performance ratio. Overall, MLC is a balanced compromise between cost, capacity, performance and durability, making it a good choice for many applications, especially consumer SSDs.
SanDisk Ultra Flair
Alternatives: SD card reader – SD cards as unRaid boot medium
SD card readers with long-life SD cards: Card readers with SD cards such as the Kingston Industrial microSD card are a lesser-known but practical alternative. This combination offers similar performance to industrial USB sticks and is often more flexible to use. A particular advantage of SD card readers is that the GUID of the card reader is linked to the license. So if the SD card is defective, you can easily replace it without losing your license.
Industrial SD card as unRaid boot medium – Recommendation
You also need the right SD card reader. The SanDisk Pro is a good choice:
Choosing the right USB stick is crucial for the stable operation of your Unraid server. Invest in a high-quality stick from a well-known brand to avoid failures and data loss. If you have special requirements, industrial USB sticks or SD card readers are excellent alternatives. With the options presented here and the unRaid USB stick recommendations, you are guaranteed to find the right USB stick for your Unraid home server.