FreeNAS won't Install

[prestonk25]

Hi, so my problem right now is that I can't get FreeNAS to install on a USB. I've been using the machine for a couple months and had one USB fail before. What I did last time was just reinstall freenas on a new USB and it worked right away but now I've tried multiple USB's and it will not run. I'm currently in the middle of working on a wedding video right now with the files on there and need them ASAP. Is there another way I could get FreeNAS to boot or is it even possible to access those hard drives without the OS through some windows software or something?? Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated

The error I get is related to Write 10 CDB: 2a 00 00 68 41 df 00 00 06 00 but it changes just about every time.

 

[Chris Moore]

I am not sure what version of FreeNAS you were using before or what version you are trying to use now. Sharing some details is usually helpful.

What I did last time was just reinstall freenas on a new USB and it worked right away but now I've tried multiple USB's and it will not run.

If you have an old / small SSD that you can spare, you could put that in as a boot drive for FreeNAS. The latest version of FreeNAS has switched from using the GRUB boot loader to using the native FreeBSD boot loader and it has exposed some incompatibilities with using USB sticks as boot media.

some windows software or something??

No, the Windows software for ZFS is still experimental and requires some work you probably don't have time to learn how to do. Compiling source code and the like.

 

[prestonk25]

I am not sure what version of FreeNAS you were using before or what version you are trying to use now. Sharing some details is usually helpful.

If you have an old / small SSD that you can spare, you could put that in as a boot drive for FreeNAS. The latest version of FreeNAS has switched from using the GRUB boot loader to using the native FreeBSD boot loader and it has exposed some incompatibilities with using USB sticks as boot media.

No, the Windows software for ZFS is still experimental and requires some work you probably don't have time to learn how to do. Compiling source code and the like.

It's the latest version im pretty sure. It all, came about because we got a new router and then I needed to restart and configure the static IP again but then I ran into this problem. Going forward if USB's aren't stable because of the new loader what are my next best options? Obviously SSD number one but what would be your next suggestion? Thanks

 

[Chris Moore]

Obviously SSD number one but what would be your next suggestion?

It depends on your situation and exactly what hardware you have to work with. I have had fairly good experience with this brand of SATA DOM (Disk on Module)
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1WK-0010-004Z1

Some other brands are not as reliable, but it does take a SATA port.

I have also had good results from these Swisbit USB DOM devices:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetai...BqVJHFCdzIRfkiDNmQvzHEGcHKMnhhmiPKfEq6p/DGg==
This is not a good vendor though because their price is totally out of line. I have some of these that have been working for five years with no trouble at all.

Some of the other forum members have even taken something like this to connect an M.2 drive to a USB port:
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-SM2NGFFMBU33-M-2-SATA-Enclosure/dp/B00T8F298Y

The problem with USB drives is they don't have great endurance and fail without any warning. Years ago, FreeNAS would load entirely memory resident and didn't need the boot drive after boot. That has not been the situation for a couple years now and the more recent versions of FreeNAS have put even more pressure on the boot pool. Now, a higher endurance solution is called for and I wouldn't be surprised if they soon stop suggesting the USB option is viable at all.

 

[ThreeDee]

Brand new 128GB SSD's run about $20 .. I was out of SATA ports so I picked up a USB to SATA cable and though my million year old 40GB SSD flaked out, this brand new 128GB SSD has been rock solid without issue for over a week now on 11.2-U2

 

[Chris Moore]

Brand new 128GB SSD's run about $20 ..

There are a couple brands that have been less reliable with FreeNAS. Something about the drive's internal firmware. SanDisk is the brand that comes to mind.
Here is a link to one of the threads, there are others: https://forums.freenas.org/threads/critical-error-on-boot-volume.60568/
Also, I recall someone having problems with a new Western Digital Blue SSD.

I find the Intel and Samsung SSDs are pretty safe and I have some Kingston SSDs that have been running fine for years.