Import Pool

ZFS pool importing works for pools exported or disconnected from the current system, those created on another system, and for pools you reconnect after reinstalling or upgrading the TrueNAS system.

The import procedure only applies to disks with a ZFS storage pool.
TrueNAS supports pool imports using the WebUI or API only. Manual pool import via command line can cause unexpected behavior and system issues.
Do I need to do anything different with disks installed on a different system? When physically installing ZFS pool disks from another system, use the zpool export poolname command in the Linux command line or a web interface equivalent to export the pool on that system. Shut down that system and move the drives to the TrueNAS system. Shutting down the original system prevents an in use by another machine error during the TrueNAS import.

To import a pool, go to the Storage Dashboard and click Import Pool at the top of the screen.

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Replacing Disks

Hard drives and solid-state drives (SSDs) have a finite lifetime and can fail unexpectedly. When a disk fails in a Stripe (RAID0) pool, you must recreate the entire pool and restore all data backups. We always recommend creating non-stripe storage pools that have disk redundancy.

To prevent further redundancy loss or eventual data loss, always replace a failed disk as soon as possible! TrueNAS integrates new disks into a pool to restore it to full functionality.

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Wiping a Disk

The disk wipe option deletes obsolete data from an unused disk.

Wipe is a destructive action and results in permanent data loss! Back up any critical data before wiping a disk.

TrueNAS only shows the Wipe option for unused disks.

DiskScreenExpandedDiskWithWipeOption

Ensure you have backed-up all data and are no longer using the disk. Triple check that you have selected the correct disk for the wipe. Recovering data from a wiped disk is usually impossible.

Click Wipe to open a dialog with additional options:

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Disks

TrueNAS provides tools to manage, replace, and wipe the physical drives installed in your system.

Contents

  • Replacing Disks: Provides disk replacement instructions that take a failed disk offline and replaces a disk in an existing VDEV. The replacement process automatically triggers a pool resilvers.

    • Wiping a Disk: Provides instructions for wiping a disk.

      • SLOG Over-Provisioning: Provides information on the disk_resize command in TrueNAS.

        • Managing Self-Encrypting Drives (SED): Covers self-encrypting drives including supported specifications, implementing and managing SEDs in TrueNAS, and managing SED passwords and data.

          • Disks Screen: Describes UI screens and dialogs related to disk operations.

            SLOG Over-Provisioning

            TrueNAS Enterprise

            Over-provisioning an SSD distributes the total number of writes and erases across more flash blocks on the drive. Seagate provides a thoughtful investigation into over-provisioning SSDs here: https://www.seagate.com/blog/ssd-over-provisioning-benefits-master-ti/.

            For more general information on SLOG disks, see SLOG Devices.

            Because this is a potentially disruptive procedure, contact TrueNAS Enterprise Support to review your overprovisioning needs and schedule a maintenance window.

            Customers who purchase TrueNAS hardware or that want additional support must have a support contract to use TrueNAS Support Services. The TrueNAS Community forums provides free support for users without a TrueNAS Support contract.

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            Managing Pools

            The Storage Dashboard widgets provide enhanced storage provisioning capabilities and access to pool management options to keep the pool and disks healthy, upgrade pools and VDEVs, open datasets, snapshots, and data protection screens. This article provides instructions on pool management functions available in the TrueNAS UI.

            Setting Up Auto TRIM

            Select Storage on the main navigation panel to open the Storage Dashboard. To see if the AutoTRIM function is enabled, locate the Storage Health widget for the pool.

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            Managing Self-Encrypting Drives (SED)

            TrueNAS Enterprise

            UI management of Self-Encrypting Drives (SED) is an Enterprise-licensed feature in TrueNAS 25.04 (and later). SED configuration options are not visible in the TrueNAS Community Edition. Community users wishing to implement SEDs can continue to do so using the command line sedutil-cli utility.

            Note: Additional changes to SED management options in the TrueNAS UI ahead of the 25.04.0 release version, with documentation updates to follow.

            Supported Specifications

            • Legacy interface for older ATA devices (Not recommended for security-critical environments!)
            • TCG Opal 1 legacy specification
            • TCG Opal 2 standard for newer consumer-grade devices
            • TCG Opalite, which is a reduced form of OPAL 2
            • TCG Pyrite Version 1 and Version 2 are similar to Opalite, but with hardware encryption removed Pyrite provides a logical equivalent of the legacy ATA security for non-ATA devices. Only the drive firmware protects the device.
              Pyrite Version 1 SEDs do not have PSID support and can become unusable if the password is lost.
            • TCG Enterprise is designed for systems with many data disks. These SEDs cannot unlock before the operating system boots.
            • TCG Ruby 1.0

            See this Trusted Computing Group and NVM Express® joint white paper for more details about these specifications.

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            Disks Screen

            The Disks screen lists the physical drives (disks) installed in the system. The list includes the names, serial numbers, sizes, and pools for each system disk.

            Use the Columns dropdown list to select options to customize the information displayed. Options are Select All, Name, Serial (the disk serial number), Disk Size, Pool (where the disk is in use), Disk Type, Description, Model, Transfer Mode, Rotation Rate (RPM), HDD Standby, Adv. Power Management, and Reset to Defaults. Each option displays the information you enter in the Edit Disk screen or when you install the disk.

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            Pool Creation Wizard Screen

            The Pool Creation Wizard configuration screens include a configuration preview and an inventory list of disks available on the system.

            Create Pool at the top right of the Storage Dashboard screen opens the Pool Creation Wizard.

            Configuration Preview lists pool and VDEV settings that dynamically update as you configure settings in the wizard.

            Inventory displays the number of available disks by size on the system, and this list dynamically updates as disks move to VDEVs added in the wizard.

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