How Can I Make OPTIPLEX 745 as a RAID1 File Server

Question

I have an OPTIPLEX 745 that I would like to set up as a file server at home. I bought 2 new identical SATA hard disks, 8TB each, that I would like to configure back-to-back as one RAID1 disk. OPTIPLEX 745 had two SATA ports, for the hard disk and the DVD. I looked in OPTIPLEX 745 BIOS, and could not figure out how to configure the two SATAs for RAID. Please help me.

Is there a newer BIOS version that I need to flash first? or
Is there a Dell software that I should install to manage the RAID setup?

I appreciate all the constructive input from community experts.

Chino de Oro · Answer

@adim9 check out freenas.

Tesla1856 · Answer

Ok, well then ... I suggest you put the Optiplex into the closet. Go buy yourself a Synolgy NAS and install those drives inside it. You will be much happier.

adim9 · Answer

Thank you so much for the suggestion. I haven't tried FREENAS, but I will give it a try. Do you know if it capable of configuring two hard disks as RAID1?

adim9 · Answer

Buying a NAS will do two things; for one, additional expense. But for the most important part, it will kill all the enthusiasm of learning how to conquer technology. This is what makes me be much happier. I feel there is someone out there who has the answer; I just need the persistence and the patience.

I want to share with you my findings so far. BIOS of Optiplex 9010 and Optiplex 7010 families support hardware RAID independent of the operating system you are installing. You can also set up a software RAID on Linux distros; but this means I am stuck with Linux. What I am waiting for is someone from Dell telling me to download an updated BIOS for OPTIPLEX 745 which supports RAID.

Chino de Oro · Answer

Re:  Do you know if it capable of configuring two hard disks as RAID1? Yes, it certainly does.  Hardware RAID is not needed and should not be used with FreeNAS.

redxps630 · Answer

Re: I am waiting for is someone from Dell telling me to download an updated BIOS for OPTIPLEX 745 which supports RAID.

This is a legacy optiplex model. not certain whether Dell engineer would release updated bios to address RAID issue. latest bios is June 2020.

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How Can I Make OPTIPLEX 745 as a RAID1 File Server

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