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.
To import a pool, go to the Storage Dashboard and click Import Pool at the top of the screen.
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.
To manage disks, go to Storage and click Disks on the top right of the screen to display the Storage Disks screen.
Select the disk on the list, then select Edit.
The Disks page lets users edit disks, perform manual tests, and view S.M.A.R.T. test results. Users may also delete obsolete data off an unused disk.
Select the disk(s) you want to perform a S.M.A.R.T. test on and click Manual Test.
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 disk the information displayed. Options are Select All, 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, Enable S.M.A.R.T., S.M.A.R.T. extra options, and Reset to Defaults. Each option displays the information you enter in the Edit Disk screen or when you install the 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.
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:
Advanced settings have reasonable defaults in place. A warning message displays for some settings advising of the dangers of making changes. Changing advanced settings can be dangerous when done incorrectly. Use caution before saving changes.
Make sure you are comfortable with ZFS, Linux, and system configuration, backup, and restoration before making any changes.
The Advanced Settings screen provides configuration options for the console, syslog, audit, kernel, sysctl, storage (system dataset pool), replication, WebSocket sessions, cron jobs, init/shutdown scripts, allowed IP addresses, isolated GPU device(s), self-encrypting drives, and global two-factor authentication.
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.
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.
Devices
The Devices screen lists VDEVS and disks configured for the selected pool. Go to Storage and click on Manage Devices on the Topology widget to view the Devices screen.
Click anywhere on the VDEV to see the drives in it and the ZFS Info widget for that VDEV.
Click anywhere on a drive to see the drive widgets.
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, data protection screens, and manage S.M.A.R.T. tests. This article provides instructions on pool management functions available in the TrueNAS UI.
Select Storage on the main navigation panel to open the Storage Dashboard. Locate the ZFS Health widget for the pool, then click the Edit Auto TRIM. The Pool Options for poolname dialog opens.
