Can this calculator replace real-world benchmark and rebuild testing?
No. Use this page for pre-purchase sizing, then validate with workload benchmarks, SMART health policy, and a tested restore plan.
Why include a 10% reserve when planning NAS available space?
Keeping free space improves filesystem behavior for snapshots, metadata, and write performance. Full arrays often perform worse and rebuild more slowly.
How much effective storage does 3x 16TB RAID 5 provide?
This NAS planning scenario estimates 28.80 TB usable after a 10% reserve from 48.00 TB raw.
Is RAID 5 still viable with 16TB drives?
It can be practical, but larger drives increase rebuild windows. Validate parity choice and backup policy before committing to the final layout.