So I've been running quite an old version of unRAID for a couple of years now. I finally need to add a 4th device to my array, and I am long past due on purchasing a license. I tried to purchase a license through the webgui, but it says I need to be running a newer version in order to do this. Before I go head an upgrade, I just want to be sure I'm doing this in a orderly fashion. Obviously, I don't want to lose any data that I currently have. 

 

My plan is this:

 

1.) Backup current flash device

2.) Upgrade to latest version of unRAID

3.) Purchase Registration Key

4.) Add new drive into the array.

 

This sounds simple enough in my head, but a couple of questions:

 

1.) Should I purchase a new flash device for planned upgrade? I guess my concern is being able to bring my current state back up should something go wrong...

2.) By upgrading to a new version, will I encounter any issue with my current array? I'm on the old trial where it is limited to 3 devices. Now it looks like trials are 30 days, with a key...and drive usage is capped to 250GB (not sure if all this is correct?!?).  My concern here is that my while upgrading from my current state, it will be more restrictive and cause some type of unforeseen issue.

3.) Am I doing things in the correct order? Any other suggestions?

 

If it matters my current setup is 2 3TB disks, with a 5TB for parity. I'll have a new 4TB in next week, so looking to do this upgrade in the near future. 

 

Thanks in advance for any feedback. 

58 minutes ago, neemat124 said:

drive usage is capped to 250GB

Where did you find this info? It's outdated, and needs to be corrected. Current trials are fully functional Pro version for 30 days, only difference in the trial version being you must have a working internet connection to start the array during the trial period.

 

You say you are running a quite old version, but don't say which one. A current syslog and more info might be helpful for others to give you good advice.

 

Generic advice would be that you should be fine setting up a new USB stick with a current trial version and assigning your drives correctly, checking the box stating parity is already valid, assuming it is.

 

Before I reconfigured a running array I would gather smart reports from all drives after running a non-correcting parity check that returned exactly ZERO errors.

Thanks for the response. My version is 6.0 beta14b, so maybe not an old version to some but I have been running it for probably close to two years. The drive usage message was actually on my local webgui, stating that restrictions would start in rc1. I’m glad to see this is no longer the case.

 

I took your advice, and ran a Parity Check. I unchecked the box “Write corrections to parity disk”. I assume this is what you meant by “running a non-correcting parity”. This came back with no errors, so I followed it up with the SMART extended self-test. All drives came back with zero errors, so sounds like I am in good shape to upgrade.  I’ve never run this before, so thanks for the advice.

 

In the meantime, I’ve also received in a new Flash Drive, formatted it, and have extracted the latest version (6.3.3) onto it.  So my next question I guess is, what should I copy from my current flash disk to ensure all my settings carry over? I’ve read a couple older forum posts that say all I need to do to upgrade is to copy bzimage and bzroot.  So would I copy everything else but these files from my existing flash to new flash?

Again, thanks so much for your help. I appreciate it.

Edited April 8, 20179 yr by neemat124

If any of your plugins are old, don't copy them either. Install new ones, starting with Community Applications plugin which you can use to install the others. Plugins before 6.1 aren't even compatible.

 

Before doing anything, be sure to read the Upgrade Guide.

 

https://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php/Upgrading_to_UnRAID_v6

I just wanted to pop back in and thank both of you again. The advice and links were much appreciated. I installed 6.3.3 this past weekend without any issue, running on a trial license. My new drive came in today and I’ve already begun the preclear.  I think I read in a couple posts that preclear should be run numerous times (3-5) to help flush out any drive issues. Is this something that is a recommended practice? Anyways, thanks again for all your input. It made for a super easy process.   

6 minutes ago, neemat124 said:

I just wanted to pop back in and thank both of you again. The advice and links were much appreciated. I installed 6.3.3 this past weekend without any issue, running on a trial license. My new drive came in today and I’ve already begun the preclear.  I think I read in a couple posts that preclear should be run numerous times (3-5) to help flush out any drive issues. Is this something that is a recommended practice? Anyways, thanks again for all your input. It made for a super easy process.   

 

I usually only do one preclear cycle, but I don't have a large number of disks, I have dual parity, I have Notifications setup, and I have a good backup plan.

Put about a hundred hours on the drive.  That should get you past the infant morality point for 99.9% of all hard drives that are going to fail early in their life.