Within the past few months, Netgear shut down their ReadyCloud service, most of their apps on their repository no longer work, and users like myself are getting the runaround from their admins saying, "fixes are coming soon". Unfortunately, most users learned recently that the ReadyNAS line are no longer being sold anywhere and listed as EoL on their site. 

 

I'm looking to replace the ReadyNAS OS (Debian version 8...Jesse?) with Unraid on my 526x.  I really don't want to spend money on a new NAS since i still have almost 2 years of hardware warranty on it, but no software warranty.   It has an Intel D-1508 dual core server CPU, upgraded 64gb ECC ram and dual 10g lan.  Would there be any issues in replacing the OS with Unraid?  Any info would be appreciated.  Thank you.  

 

DH

I was searching because I'm also working on moving my EOL ReadyNAS 628X to Unraid. I was wondering if you had any luck, specifically with moving the boot to default to Unraid itself. 

 

If you didn't have any luck, what was the roadblock you hit?

 

I found some information for other readynas units here:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/New-ReadyNAS-Users-General/Using-Unraid-on-a-ReadyNAS-Pro-6/m-p/2324224/highlight/false#M51809

 

And

 

https://community.netgear.com/t5/New-ReadyNAS-Users-General/Successful-Unraid-installation-on-RN312/td-p/2269183

 

Quick look at the 628 Spec's did not shown any reason why you could not use this box.  The only question is the RAID solution that is employed--- hardware or software.  Unraid prefers that you use standard SATA ports.  This usually requires that if you require a expansion card that it has the 'IT-mode' software installed on it.  (A lot of the RAID cards with JBOD modes do 'funny' things with drive serial numbers which can cause issues in the future...)

 

First thing to do is see if you can get the 638 to boot from a USB port.  To do this, install the trial version of Unraid onto a USB drive.  You can find instructions here:

 

      https://docs.unraid.net/unraid-os/getting-started/quick-install-guide/

 

From the guide:

Quote

If you need to enable UEFI boot, rename the EFI- directory to EFI.

 

Just making sure that the 628 will boot up to Unraid will not do any automatic or background writing to the existing disks in the 628 box!  (Unless, you start assigning disks to the array and attempting to start it.  Remember that you are just verifying that you can get the 628 to boot.)  You can access the GUI on your PC.

 

You may need to open up the 628 box and see if it has a hardware RAID card in it.   If you do this, try to figure out what the card's maker and model number is. 

Edited January 12, 20242 yr by Frank1940

9 hours ago, -Good4 said:

I was searching because I'm also working on moving my EOL ReadyNAS 628X to Unraid. I was wondering if you had any luck, specifically with moving the boot to default to Unraid itself. 

 

If you didn't have any luck, what was the roadblock you hit?

 

I 

Good4,  I was able to get to the BIOS and override the OS to boot to the USB first.  I posted instructions how I was able to get to the BIOS on reddit when I was testing both Unraid and Truenas:  

https://www.reddit.com/r/truenas/comments/s3qcea/truenas_on_readynas_526x/  - at the bottom, click replies and look under DynamicHispanic77 for instructions.  

 

I was able to install Unraid.  It saw my 6 drives as the trial version says it can pick up.  But as Frank alluded, I did have issues installing the preset folders after I set my drives to RAID0 as a test bench.  I had a lot of difficulty trying to get it to install the folders and had to delete the raid and try again several times.  I also had difficulty in installing several apps (Plex, Adguard). 

 

I unfortunately didn't have time to test and trial since I had family over at the time and it was the holidays. They demanded to watch my holiday movies. So, I had to revert back to ReadyNAS to appease the clan....though, I plan on trying again since the ReadyNAS OS  is dead in the water.   

 

A few things I did notice when I installed Unraid or Truenas that you should be aware of if you decide to try on your 628x:   

 

Do not delete the USB options in the BIOS. You just need to adjust the boot priority. 

 

There is also a Partition in there that contains the original ReadyNAS OS reinstall (very small, about 40-50 megs), DONT DELETE IT! You may need it if you have to revert back. 

 

When you install Unraid, the front door displays, "Welcome to ReadyNAS"  and does not turn off.  It will stay on permanently  (though, you can disconnect the ribbon cable that is connected to the motherboard).  All of the buttons on the door do not function either.  

 

Hope this helps.  Will do more testing and trial soon.  

 

-DH

9 hours ago, -Good4 said:

 

 

Edited January 12, 20242 yr by dynamichispanic

On 1/12/2024 at 10:13 AM, dynamichispanic said:

I 

Good4,  I was able to get to the BIOS and override the OS to boot to the USB first.  I posted instructions how I was able to get to the BIOS on reddit when I was testing both Unraid and Truenas:  

https://www.reddit.com/r/truenas/comments/s3qcea/truenas_on_readynas_526x/ - at the bottom, click replies and look under DynamicHispanic77 for instructions.  

....

Do not delete the USB options in the BIOS. You just need to adjust the boot priority. 

 

There is also a Partition in there that contains the original ReadyNAS OS reinstall (very small, about 40-50 megs), DONT DELETE IT! You may need it if you have to revert back. 

 

When you install Unraid, the front door displays, "Welcome to ReadyNAS"  and does not turn off.  It will stay on permanently  (though, you can disconnect the ribbon cable that is connected to the motherboard).  All of the buttons on the door do not function either.  

 

 

This is great info, thank you. If you were going to go forward with the change, did you decide on Truenas or Unraid? I'm pretty sure truenas wont work for my use-case anyway. 
Question for you:
1. do you think its worth factory resetting the readynas OS install? I was considering imaging this so I could retain a copy just in case. I'm still really annoyed by how Netgear handled the EOL process on this.

2. Did you notice anything strange compatibility-wise with the  Readynas box RAID controller setup and Unraid? My goal currently is to re-purpose my 10TB drives in the readynas and add in the 2x 20TB drives I just got (which currently backup my 20TB google drive takeout). 
The setup on Unraid would be: 20TB parity, 20TB drive, 4x10TB drives. 

 

On 1/14/2024 at 5:50 PM, -Good4 said:

This is great info, thank you. If you were going to go forward with the change, did you decide on Truenas or Unraid? I'm pretty sure truenas wont work for my use-case anyway. 
Question for you:
1. do you think its worth factory resetting the readynas OS install? I was considering imaging this so I could retain a copy just in case. I'm still really annoyed by how Netgear handled the EOL process on this.

2. Did you notice anything strange compatibility-wise with the  Readynas box RAID controller setup and Unraid? My goal currently is to re-purpose my 10TB drives in the readynas and add in the 2x 20TB drives I just got (which currently backup my 20TB google drive takeout). 
The setup on Unraid would be: 20TB parity, 20TB drive, 4x10TB drives. 

 

I did try Truenas, but like Unraid, I had no time to test.  Now that the holidays are over, that's my goal. As far as your questions: 

 

1.  It's always wise to keep the RN OS as a backup, especially with the quirks and errors with both Unraid and Truenas has with the hardware.  I just wouldn't recommend deleting the partition in the BIOS.  It's very small and not really worth deleting.  Keep it to be safe.    

2.  My advice, if you do decide to install Unraid, try the trial version first.  It will allow only 6 drives, but you can test it with whatever drive configuration and help you decide if you want to stick with it and buy the full license, try Truenas or stay with RN.  If you have better luck with Unraid, let us know! 

 

Good luck! 

 

-DH

On 1/17/2024 at 11:59 AM, dynamichispanic said:

I did try Truenas, but like Unraid, I had no time to test.  Now that the holidays are over, that's my goal. As far as your questions: 

 

1.  It's always wise to keep the RN OS as a backup, especially with the quirks and errors with both Unraid and Truenas has with the hardware.  I just wouldn't recommend deleting the partition in the BIOS.  It's very small and not really worth deleting.  Keep it to be safe.    

2.  My advice, if you do decide to install Unraid, try the trial version first.  It will allow only 6 drives, but you can test it with whatever drive configuration and help you decide if you want to stick with it and buy the full license, try Truenas or stay with RN.  If you have better luck with Unraid, let us know! 

 

Good luck! 

 

-DH

I figured it was worth asking if you ever came back around to this project and if it worked. 

Sorry I didn't see any posts until today.  I installed and currently running Truenas Scale on it.  It's certainly a learning curve from ReadyNAS, but, it has a lot more functionality with the docker containers.  I'm still learning.  The front door of the NAS still says, "booting" on it, I'm trying to see if i can find a script or something to either disable it or change it.  Other than the door, it's working fine. 

 

I'm considering trying Unraid, but my trial ended last year and I'd have to pay to be able to use the 6 bays and renew it every year.  I don't know if Unraid will run on the m.2 as it says it runs off of a USB.  I might try that later.  

 

Good luck! 

 

-DH