Hi all,

 

2 quick questions, I still have a functioning UnRaid Version 4.7 w/o problems and have attempted to start the upgrade to Version 5 when it occurred to me that I might skip Version 5 and go directly to Version 6 using my 2nd Pro Key.  Is that Possible and/or advisable?  If so what is the most recommended Format for my new Drive(s)?

 

I have 2 5TB drives and all of my current data will fit on one, so can I create the "new" UnRaid Version 6 and/or ?FS () drive and just copy the data across from Version 4.7 to Version 6.x and then create a "new" Parity Drive?  If I have a problem I would still be "live" on Version 4.7 and could "tweak" the new System until stable.

 

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

Dave

Not only is it possible to skip the intermediate upgrade, but that's what I'd recommend.  In fact, you don't want to "upgrade" => you want to simply do a new installation of UnRAID v6 => either using your current drives or a completely new set (as you've indicated you have).

 

I'd recommend you simply create a new system with your 5TB drives;  then copy all of the data from the v4.7 server to the new one.  THEN -- after confirming all is well -- you can reconfigure the old server with v6.

 

There's a bunch of detail you may want to read over here:  http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php/Upgrading_to_UnRAID_v6

 

But the bottom line is you want to simply create a new v6.01 server and then copy your data to it 

Not only is it possible to skip the intermediate upgrade, but that's what I'd recommend.  In fact, you don't want to "upgrade" => you want to simply do a new installation of UnRAID v6 => either using your current drives or a completely new set (as you've indicated you have).

 

I'd recommend you simply create a new system with your 5TB drives;  then copy all of the data from the v4.7 server to the new one.  THEN -- after confirming all is well -- you can reconfigure the old server with v6.

 

Thanks Gary,

 

It did seem like a lot of extra work to upgrade to Version 5 then again to Version 6 especially when I ran into my issues with my Version 5 "key" showing multiple errors and memory location faults.  I will go read the Upgrading to UnRaid 6 shortly! 

 

Would you create a separate UnRaid v6 first, then copy the data across?  I could use an "old" computer temporarily with my 2nd Key or if possible replace the key in my current UnRaid (4.7) but not add the current drives until the new ones were PreCleared and accepted as Valid (w/o data).  At that point I could add my current drives to the "new" UnRaid and transfer data internally - drive to drive assuming that Version 6 can read RFS formatted disks (). 

 

What would be the most efficient and long term Format for the "new" drives and future repurposed drives?

 

Dave

I had assumed from your earlier note that you had another system you could use for the new v6 setup.

 

If that's the case, that's what I'd do -- and just copy all the data across your network [At Gb speed there's no real penalty to doing that vs. just copying locally].

 

But if that's not convenient, there are several other alternatives.    Based on your latest post, one thing you could do is use your 2nd key in the current system and assign one of the 5TB drives and ALL of the old data drives (but not the parity drive) to the new array (with or without a new 5TB parity drive).

 

Then you could copy all of the data from the old drives to the 5TB data drive [Do NOT use the same share name for the new share you're copying to -- you do NOT want to get hit by the "user share bug" that will cause extensive data loss].    Doing this with a parity drive assigned (the new 5TB one) will let it all be fault tolerant (after the parity sync); but doing it without an assigned parity drive will be notably faster ... entirely up to you which way you proceed.    [i always err on the side of caution, so I'd do it with parity.]

 

As for what format to use for your new disks => I'd use XFS for your new data disks.    There's no problem mixing your old Reiser disks with these, but as you empty them (and are confident the new copies are good) you may want to reformat them as XFS as well.

 

 

Another possibility would be to use the Unassigned Devices plugin to mount the old drives outside the array and copy them to your new XFS disks in the array.

Gary,

 

Thank you so much !  That is exactly what I did yesterday.  It took ~ 13 hours to convert my 4.7 to 6.0.1 doing a Parity Check with Zero (0) errors.  I really like the new interface and was able to follow the instructions for redoing the Permissions.  As it stands I now have a UnRaid v6 w/o shares but with access to my backup data (I know on which disk its stored).

 

Several new ? - Can I install the new 5TB disks in the current system but not include them in the array and perform PreClear or Fast PreClear while the array is operating?  Do I need to install a "docker" or should this be performed via Command Line and/or Telnet session?

 

I've not setup "new" Shares on v6 even though my data (movies/music/tv/backup) is split into their respective "folders" on each drive.  Since my intent is to move the Data to the 5TB XFS Drive, should I skip this step until the data is moved (no shares means no potential confusion to UnRaid - I think)?

 

I'm sure that there are a lot of other ? but I need some time to work with the new system and to try and better understand Dockers, before "pestering" you or others.  This is so much greater than my original Version back in 2006 that I'm overwhelmed with the great progress and options now available!

 

Thanks again for your response and RECOMMENDATION!  What a simple upgrade for us oldies!

 

Dave

You can indeed install the 5TB drives in the system, but not assign them to your array; and then do pre-clears on them (or Brian's "fast pre-clear").

 

Since you're going to move all the data to the 5TB drive, I'd indeed leave share disabled globally so there's NO chance of encountering the "user share copy bug", which could cause extensive data loss.

 

Once the pre-clears are done; and you've updated parity to a 5TB drive; then you can add a 5TB data drive, and (while shares are still not enabled), copy all of your data to the new 5TB drive.  Then reformat the old drives as desired (XFS I assume); and finally you can enable your shares.

 

You can enable Dockers from the UI (on the Settings tab) ... but I'd suggest you read about these and decide which ones you want to use -- and also get your array configured with your 5TB drives, shares, etc. before jumping into this aspect of the system.

 

 

 

 

You can indeed install the 5TB drives in the system, but not assign them to your array; and then do pre-clears on them (or Brian's "fast pre-clear").

 

Excellent!  My current system is pretty old and may need to be upgraded anyway to take advantage of both Dockers and perhaps VM's.  I so out of tune with the latest upgrades I don't even have a "Cache" file, let alone mover etc.  My last effort (failed) was to invoke Minidlna, so this is truly a whole new adventure!

 

Having said that, kudos to you BJP99, Joe, and Tom Mortenson from years gone by!  My UnRaid in various incantations through multiple replacement drives and much smaller upgrades over 9 years has NEVER FAILED!  Yes, I've lost some old PATA drives and at least 1 Sata, but it's a Friend, now seems the time to unleash the Beast!

 

Dave