TrueNAS SCALE Can Install to USB SSD But Won't Boot

[shanemikel]

You must boot to BIOS configuration. During post you will see which key press will get into the settings. It’s one of the F-keys, maybe F2 on boot. Should be under “boot settings” or something like that. You can also find instructions in the manual for your server.

 

[shanemikel]

Here’s the thread about the flash drives with details:

Post in thread 'Should I change my USB Mirrored boot drive?'
https://www.truenas.com/community/t...-my-usb-mirrored-boot-drive.86174/post-720509

 

[packoman]

Thanks for the infos!

I was unable to set the booting to UEFI. It was greyed out in both the iLO and intelligent provisioning...

This thread states that the MicroServer Gen8 does not support GPT nor UEFI: https://serverfault.com/questions/7...l-usb-port-boot-esxi-6-on-my-microserver-gen8

I did find this thread, which is interesting: https://www.truenas.com/community/threads/how-to-install-scale-to-usb-ssd-as-mbr-formatted.104572/

It describes similar symptoms as described here; i.e.: TrueNAS SCALE installed to a USB thumb-drive works, but not a USB-SSD. But the SSD works when connected to the internal SATA port of the optical drive.

The reason as I see it at the moment, is that (DISCLAIMER: these are my musings of what is going on... I have no proof yet):

1. The TrueNAS SCALE installer installs with MBR to USB-thumb sticks. But it is installs with GPT to SSDs (also connected to the USB; not sure how it distinguishes this).
2. The MicroServer Gen8 cannot boot from GPT (this probably only applies to the USB-ports; because booting from the SSD connected to the ODD SATA port seems to work).

Therefore installing to a USB thumbstick works, but not the SSD.... I have yet to confirm this...

I have ordered a cable to setup the SSD with the internal ODD SATA cable. I will also try installing SCALE to a thumb-drive to check that this works.

 

[shanemikel]

Oh.. I keep having this issue keeping track in these forums of which microserver I'm talking about. I have a Gen10 Plus. Not sure about UEFI on earlier models.