Importing a ZFS Pool

[CookiesLikeWhoa]

Hey all,

Planning on merging two FreeNAS systems into one. The question I have is, can I power down my secondary NAS, pull the drives out (raidZ1) and put them in my other freeNAS while it's still powered on and import the pool. Or should I power down both systems, move the drives over and power main NAS back up then import the pool?

I have a feeling I should just power down both systems, but I don't want to power down both ESXi hosts that are running off my main NAS. (laziness at it's best)

Thank you in advance!

 

[Elliot Dierksen]

You can call me a wimp, but I would power them both down. The disaster potential is IMHO pretty high if you bump the wrong thing while it is running, and you could create a pretty big mess.

 

[Redcoat]

Yes, I'd power them both down, too. I would expect not to have to import the pool on the "new" drives. Each time I have moved drives as you intend the pool on them has shown up on boot without me having to do anything.

 

[danb35]

Powering down is always safer. However, if the hardware on both systems supports hot swap, it should be safe to do what you're describing.

 

[CookiesLikeWhoa]

Both systems do support hot swap (supermicro systems). That being said, I think I'll just power them both down and play it safe.

 

[pro lamer]

Excuse my obvious and noob's comment, I don't want to offend you (by suggesting you may need this advise) but I just can't stop myself from posting it: I assume you are aware that you may need (and correct me if I am wrong) differently named pools...

Sent from my mobile phone.

 

[kdragon75]

Excuse my obvious and noob's comment, I don't want to offend you (by suggesting you may need this advise) but I just can't stop myself from posting it: I assume you are aware that you may need (and correct me if I am wrong) differently named pools...

Sent from my mobile phone.

You are correct. Pols can not have the same name on one system. It's easy to rename if needed though.

 

[danb35]

Pols can not have the same name on one system.

They can, actually, though it's near-guaranteed to be confusing. Obviously they'd need different mount points.