Currently running 9.1.1 without issue -- should I upgrade?

[turick]

Hi all, I know the answer to this question is subjective, but I was just curious if there is any pressing reason why I should upgrade FreeNAS. I set up this box a few years ago to replace a Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ and had incredible results. FreeNAS is insanely faster serving multiple clients in my house. I have lots of media and important files on the NAS. I've left the box alone for a few years... it just works.

I've thought about this on and off for a while, but I'm curious if there is a pressing reason I should update it. I'm no expert on the machine and don't even really remember all the ins-and-outs details of how I originally configured it. Any performance, security, etc updates that I'm crazy for not upgrading, or should I just leave a good thing alone?

Thanks!

 

[anodos]

Hi all, I know the answer to this question is subjective, but I was just curious if there is any pressing reason why I should upgrade FreeNAS. I set up this box a few years ago to replace a Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ and had incredible results. FreeNAS is insanely faster serving multiple clients in my house. I have lots of media and important files on the NAS. I've left the box alone for a few years... it just works.

I've thought about this on and off for a while, but I'm curious if there is a pressing reason I should update it. I'm no expert on the machine and don't even really remember all the ins-and-outs details of how I originally configured it. Any performance, security, etc updates that I'm crazy for not upgrading, or should I just leave a good thing alone?

Thanks!

There have been quite a few samba security updates since FreeNAS 9.1, but as a home user I wouldn't feel overly concerned.

FreeNAS has changed enough since 9.1 that I suspect the upgrade process would be somewhat laborious. I'd probably start with a fresh FreeNAS install, import the old pool, then rebuild the old configuration. Back up data before doing it, and give yourself plenty of time to get it done and troubleshoot any issues that arise.

A few other things to check:

• You will also want to verify that the latest FreeNAS will run on your hardware.
• UFS volumes aren't supported in the latest FreeNAS

So it's not a bad idea to upgrade, but it can probably wait until you have downtime and possibly another reason to upgrade (new hardware). There are plenty of people running older versions of FreeNAS. I don't do it myself, but I can see why some people do it.

 

[turick]

Thanks for the info. I greatly appreciate it -- I think I'll stick with what I have for now. I think I'll need new drives to repurpose my old Netgear ReadyNAS as a backup for my FreeNAS. That alone could time some time, especially because the ReadyNAS is ssslllloooowwww.....

Just for reference, here is my hardware:

ram 2x Ddr3-1333 4Gb/512Mx72 Ecc Cl9 Server Memory
ram 2x Kingston 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) ECC System Specific Memory Model KTH-PL313E/4G
mobo SUPERMICRO MBD-X9SCL-F-O LGA 1155 Intel C202 Micro ATX Intel Xeon E3 Server Motherboard
cpu Intel Pentium 2 LGA 1155 Processor BX80637G2030
psu Corsair CX Series 430 Watt ATX/EPS Modular 80 PLUS Bronze ATX12V/EPS12V 384 Power Supply CX430M

 

[anodos]

You should be fine with that hardware. I'd put having a reliable backup as a higher priority than upgrading to the latest version of FreeNAS.