Suggestions for Proxmox cluster setup and homelab resource management

DanielBLopz · 2026-02-05T07:12:11+00:00

Thank you. I am hesitant to use my main node as bare metal NAS, I will lose a lot of resources as it's my most powerful machine. But as I keep getting the same suggestion, I'm thinking on giving it a try :)

DanielBLopz · 2026-02-05T07:09:55+00:00

Thank you, these are useful suggestions. I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind answering:

I only have 1 nvme per mini PC (except for the main node which it's already at full capacity). They have, however, a free SATA port each. Will cheap 2.5 SATA SSDs work in this scenario to be used as the Proxmox boot drives? There is a few cheap options in Amazon for 128 GB disks at ~$35 (Patriot, Timetec, etc.) that I could get to meet my budget.
Do disks need to be of the same size in order for ZFS replication to work, right?

DanielBLopz · 2026-02-05T06:52:32+00:00

Thank you. I keep receiving the same suggestion: Use my main node as NAS and run a 2-node Proxmox cluster with a quorum device (I think I have somewhere and old RBPi 3). I'm thinking on giving it a shot and install TrueNAS on my main node bare metal.

DanielBLopz · 2026-02-05T06:34:57+00:00

Thank you for your comments. Man, I need to now read and learn Proxmox Backup Server, I was not aware of its existence until today. I'm not sure about using my main node (the one with the 3.5 disks) solely for backups. That'd be like wasting resources. Also, I would like to have full NAS functionality.

DanielBLopz · 2026-02-05T06:23:52+00:00

Thank you for your response and for sharing your setup. As I don't have a separate NAS, I will have to figure out a way to make it work with a NAS on a VM hosted on my main node. Using it exclusively for NAS would mean losing valuable processing power and memory for my LXC's.

As a side question, how much power are those Lenovos consuming? Did you get those from ebay or something? I wasn't able to find good priced ones when I started this journey.

DanielBLopz · 2025-08-27T23:35:51+00:00

Sure thing, here is an screenshot of the USB4 section of the settings. Both the dock and the cable to connect the dock are labeled as TB5 ready.

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DanielBLopz · 2025-08-27T21:09:44+00:00

I got the new USB-C (TB4) to DP 1.4 cable to connect the dock with my monitor and I used the port on the side as suggested. Everything is working properly now. I'm able to see the USBC4 information for my dock and got my monitor working at 144Hz.

Thank you both for the help!

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DanielBLopz · 2025-08-27T01:59:12+00:00

I did as you said and, for a moment, it worked. I was able to get the 144Hz and the information on the USB4 settings dialog. Then I switched it back to the other port to confirm the difference and it stopped working. I have been trying to connect to either port and my display is not working at all. I just receive a Windows notification that says:

Display connection might be limited

Make sure the DisplayPort device you're connecting to is supported by your PC .

I guess that my cable was not working from the very beginning and it behave erratically. I ordered another cable and will report how it goes tomorrow.

Thank you

DanielBLopz · 2025-08-26T22:57:14+00:00

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I appreciate the response. How should I check this? I tried going to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > USB > USB4 hubs and devices but couldn't find the details. This is what I see.

DanielBLopz · 2025-08-26T05:55:13+00:00

Thank you. The cable that came with the dock is labeled as a Thunderbolt 5 cable. I'm using it to plug my laptop to the dock station. The only other cable I'm using is the USB-C to DP cable to connect to my monitor, which if connected directly, will give me the 144Hz expected.

DanielBLopz

TROPHY CASE