migrating data

[matlock]

Hey All:
So i'm planning on performing a backup of my primary nas server.

So i have Freenas 1 and Freenas 2.
Freenas 1 is my primary running freenas8.2.0
Freenas 2 is running 9.2.1.3

Freenas 1 is currently running on an esxi host with the disks being passed using rdm. I'm well aware of the issues and risks of doing this, hence why i want to migrate my data.

I'm unclear on how to perform this migration. I'm aware of the options, rsync and zfs replication.

What i'd like to do, is copy the entire pool- structure and all (datasets and permissions) to 'Freenas 2'

Can anyone point me in the direction right direction of how to perform the above task?

Thanks-
Matlock

 

[karipk]

Hi,

I had nearly similar setup:
Former "live" freenas was on esxi 5.0 on virtual disks (striped). I created this setup before I started reading the forums . I had it running for 16 months. I think that the biggest reason for not having any problems was that I don't boot my host too often (current uptime 440 days). But when I started to browse the forums I soon realized that someday I will have problems. So I started to build a standalone freenas machine before I have any problems. I finished the process last weekend. Here are the steps I did:
1. In new server create pool with exactly same name as old server. (Especially if you are using nfs.)
2. If you are using AD, configure new server to use it also.
3. In old server create snapshots for every dataset you want to migrate. You can also create snapshot for whole pool.
4. Replicate the snapshot(s) to new server. If you have lots of users stop sharing your data at this point.
5. Create shares on new server.
6. Change the dns entry. Your clients should now be able to connect to new server.
7. If you want to backup new server with snapshots, create snapshot tasks in new server and replicate the to your backup server. I created another VM to my esxi and started using that as on-site backup. Off site backups are rsynced usb-disks.

Hope this helps.

Edit: Both old and new are running freenas 8.3.2.


Kari