Upgrade 8.3 + config backup

[lraymond]

ok, I was just thrown into this so I will start my reading on how it works as I am familiar with linux, NFS, etc. but FreeNAS is 100%. Basically there are (2) FreeNas servers in place, 1 in produciton, 1 was supposed to be setup.

1 is running 8.3 (so I guess I should update), but the other gets the password prompt via GUI, and after authentication I get an unhanded exception. I did look and confirm it's booted via USB, and the 2nd server has no USB (was taken out!)

So, I must keep the 1st server running, and it has (4) disks all in use, so I guess the USB boot is the only option. So now that all of that is spelled out, my questions are in order of importance;

1. I need to get the 2nd server running. Nothing is on it that's needed, but the disks/export were already setup. So can I get the config off the running server USB and simply get that backed up, get a new USB bootable and just run with it, or do I need to re-setup all the exports, etc.

2. Non USB. If there are 4 disks raided, setup, etc. I dont think there is a way on the new one to carve out a piece of 1 disk and boot off that. Booting off a dangling USB in a datacenter does not seem to be the ideal solution. There are only 4 bay's and there loaded with 2T disks in each.

3. Upgrade. The current running 8.3, I see 9.x is out. Is there a way (or a reason) to upgrade to the newer version that will both upgrade, and upgrade the USB so on reboot the new version will be up to date.

Thanks.. Looks like a great product and looking forward to diving in.

 

[danb35]

FreeNAS is intended to be booted from a USB flash drive, CompactFlash card, or other ~ 2 GB flash device. You can install the OS onto a spinning disk, but it will occupy the whole thing.

If you don't care about the data or shares on the second server, just download the FreeNAS ISO, burn it to a CD, and use that to install onto a USB flash drive. Once that boots from the USB drive, you'll be able to set up the disks and shares however you want.

 

[lraymond]

Perfect, thanks... quick and easy.

Only other question is if the USB fails (on the production one). How/where is the disk config's stored? Meaning if I just pop in a new 8.3 or even a 9.x, does it start, scan (I would company to an mdadm.conf file) and say, oh, let me mount/share these? Since it's all off the USB, is there a backup config or something I guess is my last real question for now.

Thanks

 

[gpsguy]

The configuration file freenas-v1.db is stored on the 4th partition of the boot device, ie. /data (when mounted).

While one backup and restore it via the webgui you might want to use cron job to back it up. If you need to use it - use the webgui to restore it.


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