8GB minimum req for RAM ?

[ewok2]

Hi
I would like to remove my old synologie NAS and replace it by a NAS on a VM (host by ESXI).
The Synologie had only 512 MB of RAM and works fine.
The minimum req for the RAM of FreeNAS is 8 GB...

What is the need for this 8 GB of RAM?
Is it for FreeNAS to works?
Or is it for specific functions of FreeNAS to works?

On my VM I have only 2GB available. If I install FreeNAS on it will it be better than with my previous NAS?

Thanks for the help

 

[Ericloewe]

It's the minimum requirement.

The Synologie had only 512 MB of RAM and works fine.

Yeah, well, my Pentium 4 with 512MB of RAM was pretty decent back in its day, but it sure as hell wouldn't be very useful nowadays.

 

[ewok2]

I don't understand what you mean...
If I do not use the ZFS file system do I really need the 8 GB?
I mean with less FreeNAS does not work?

 

[Ericloewe]

FreeNAS only supports ZFS, so you can't not use it and have a functional server.

 

[wblock]

FreeNAS is built on top of ZFS and ZFS is required.

 

[ewok2]

Ok so I understand now your answer...
Too bad for me :-(
I will try another OS for a NAS
Thanks