@npub17kvh...9wn4 is a man that can. I've set up 2. One for btc the other is a server for Nostr, simplex, syncthing etc... I replaced the ssd for a 2tb one and was good

I concur, with @Zaikaboy, I tried to use a PCie M.2 extension and it didn't read from any other M.2s I had beside the one with the OS boot on it.

Swap out to a bigger SSD 2TB or 4TB. They say the Optiplex 7050 Micro is limited to 1TB but I think that’s not true. I’m considering buying the same machine (although i5) for £60 ($80). My current node is a Lenovo T480 but it feels too good not to be used as a Linux laptop in its own right. Just want something capable to sit on the shelf now. Keep us updated with the install 🙂

You can "waste" the majority of that 256gb drive by installing StartOS on it, then using the whole of the 2tb for data just fine. If the 256gb drive is not something you would reuse, it might make sense to do this. A small benefit to doing it this way would be making things clearer for you in the event of any future drive failure... You'll know what failed. But it's no big deal.