Hi, since covid i started up a small server with 12TB (online) 2TB (offline) for $700, then expanded in a year 8TB (offline) for $200,
now i desperatly need to expand and thinking of getting 24TB (online) with external raid enclosures but this would be $900. doing this will mean the current 12TB will stay plugged in and join the offline gang.
I would be able to save $200 and skip the raid enclosure if i can think of a way to back up my 12TB, then swap the drives on my motherboard, but then i get 2x 6TB drives doing nothing. Also this maneouver of back up and swap gets exponential with each upgrade.

My question: is all this worth it? theres gotta be a smarter way to store all this to prevent such rapid obselecense.

whats your recommendation? Im mainly storing media content and like all data, it just keeps growing.