Hello All,

I've researched this quite a bit, and while there are many posts about hardware migration, I'm having difficulty with a more specific scenario: downsizing the hardware that hosts my Unraid setup and changing how I use it.
 

Current Setup:

 

• Traditional desktop PC with multiple spinning disks and two M.2 cache disks.
• Plan: Move to a new small form factor Dell desktop that can only hold:
  • 1 x M.2 (4TB)
  • 1 x 2.5-inch SSD (2TB)

 

I'm not planning to bring over any disks from my old system, which seems to be the biggest complication compared to other migration cases I've seen.  The new PC has much better specs and considerably less power draw. 
 

Issue #1: Corruption and OS Fresh Start

My current Unraid setup is about 7 years old, and I've been facing recurring issues, including:

• Frequent corruption of the Docker.img file.
• Two VMs showing corruption, including my Home Assistant VM (which is critical for me).

 

Because of these issues, I don't just want to move my existing Unraid installation; I want to start fresh with a new Unraid OS installation, even if I were to keep the same disks.  If I had no plan to change hardware, i'd probably just invest the time to look further into the weird issues.

 

Use Case Changes:

Space: I moved recently and in a much smaller space.  I want to move away from the Desktop PC that would have to sit by the TV stand, and move to a smaller form factor.

Media Library: I've been reducing my media collection and plan to offload it to a separate NAS (likely a Synology). So, I no longer need significant storage on the Unraid server itself; the 6TB capacity should be enough for my needs.

Docker Usage: I run about 8 Docker instances for various apps, including *arr apps, Frigate for video recording, and some miscellaneous tools.

VM Usage: I run 4 VMs. The only critical one is a 24/7 Home Assistant VM, which has corrupted twice recently. The others are for home lab experiments.

 

What I've Tried So Far:

I’ve set up a new Unraid trial using a different thumb drive on the target PC. My goal is to get all my Docker instances running on the new PC and start fresh with a new HAOS VM.

 

I tried copying data from the appdata share on the old system to the appdata share on the new one, hoping that copying over the data would allow me to redeploy the Docker containers, pointing at the copied appdata, and keep settings like my Plex history intact. However, this has not worked—I keep hitting file copy errors, even with the Docker service stopped.

 

Questions:

 

Are there any recommended methods for migrating Docker instances without bringing over the entire old disk array?

 

Any tips on how to fix or avoid the file copy issues I've been encountering when copying appdata between systems?

 

I'm open to other ideas as well, this is just what I felt would be best.  

 

Thanks for any suggestions you might have! I appreciate the help.

Edited October 18, 20241 yr by jbritt1234

there quite a bit here to fully assit you.

1. Are there any recommended methods for migrating Docker instances without bringing over the entire old disk array?
To best answer your questions.

You can run the plugin appdata backup and restore on a different device by copying the backup...

You will need to copy the docker.img file (this contains data of your docker images from docker pulls and any volumes not mounted to a unriad host path have data within this image...)
You will need to get picture of your template settings and or copy your user templates to teh new system(a pain it easier to copy to a notepad and pictures note settings.
You will need to copy any and all appdata / other data file and restore the same Mount point on the new system

2. Any tips on how to fix or avoid the file copy issues I've been encountering when copying appdata between systems?
Nope just copy/.rsync and try to grab what you can. file permission may be hurting you hear from the sounds of it, it sounds like you may have die HD. Run a smart test
the appdata backup may be a better solution here to copy 1 new folder. -- use unassigned devices and get a portable USB disk drive for temp storage...

3. I'm open to other ideas as well, this is just what I felt would be best.  
In the end it how conformable you are with the current system and moving data to the new system. How do you want to interact with it and what do you want it to do.

From DD a disk drive to a new drive to mc file copy, from nfs/smb mounts to copy over network to unassigned plugin to copy to temp usb disk... it what works and what you feel comfortable with.

Edited October 23, 20241 yr by bmartino1