Can I retrieve configuration file from dying USB boot stick?

[esamett]

My out of state friend has a Free NAS box I helped him build a couple of years ago running FN 8x or early 9.x. It recently stopped working, failing to complete the boot process. I suspect his USB boot drive is failing. I don't think he ever backed up the configuration or performed any updates.

1. Presuming the configuration file is still intact on the USB stick, how do I find it and how can I use it to restore his system using a new USB stick?

2. Would the config file be compatible with FN 9.,3 or do I have to use his original build?

Thanks.

 

[BigDave]

I'm not sure if I can really help you here, but with some searching of the forum
I have found consistant reference to this statement regarding a failed flash drive
and an attempted recovery of the config file:
The config file is accessible by the command line here: /data/freenas-v1.db

PLEASE NOTE:
This may not be the correct location of the file as your friends version
of FreeNAS is out of date and/or unknown. Also it is my understanding
that the config file is on the pool drives and NOT the boot drive!

 

[Ericloewe]

If the device is still mountable, your favorite Unix-like OS should be able to get any files that are still apparently intact. I don't know where the config file used to be, but it's definitely possible to retrieve it, if it still exists.

Upgrade path really depends on the version. A straight upgrade to 9.3 will probably break things.

 

[gpsguy]

As BigDave said, the config is named freenas-v1.db. It's on the 4th partition of the boot device.

As EricLoewe said, a straight upgrade from an unknown version to 9.3 isn't advisable. If someone were using say, 8.2, we'd recommend smaller steps like 8.2 -> 8.32 -> 9.1 ... Once one got up to 9.2.1.9 then consider the jump to 9.3.

Does your friend have adequate hardware and at least meet the minimum RAM requirements? When reinstalling on a new flash drive, I'd suggest either an 8 or 16GB flash drive, so that if/when your friend goes to 9.3 the device will be large enough.

 

[Ericloewe]

Detail I forgot:

The config file may be unusable, even if it still exists. Keep that in mind, should problems arise.

Another advantage ZFS boot devices have, not having to guess about corruption.