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.
How many disk failures can RAID-Z2 tolerate in this setup?
This setup can tolerate 2 drives. Real-world survivability depends on mirror placement, rebuild stress, and drive health.
Should I optimize this 5-drive plan for capacity or resiliency first?
For long-lived NAS pools, resiliency first is usually safer. Capacity can be expanded later, while a risky parity choice can force migration sooner.
Is RAID-Z2 still viable with 18TB drives?
It can be practical, but larger drives increase rebuild windows. Validate parity choice and backup policy before committing to the final layout.