FAQ (Advanced Questions)

[al562]

Work in progress
Answers are grouped loosely into sections by related subjects. Clicking a question below will bring you to the pertinent section.

Can I automatically backup my data to external, USB drives that mount automatically?
Can I grow a softwareRAID array from FreeNAS GUI?
Can I grow a softwareRAID array from FreeNAS CLI?
Can you move/transfer/migrate the same 3 or 4 or 5, RAID5 drives to another FreeNAS server and still maintain the data? Can you do this for SoftRAID1?
Can I grow a UFS filesystem from FreeNAS GUI?
Can I grow a UFS filesystem from FreeNAS CLI?
Can I upgrade from the Embedded 32bit version, installed on a hard drive, to 64bit version?
How come my script works in shell when invoked manually but not in CRON?
How can I identify which /dev is which physical hard drive? Which drive is which?!?
How do I mount/map a CIFS/SMB/SAMBA/Windows share/shared folder on my FreeNAS server?
How do I upgrade/replace/clone my USB Flash drive/CF card running Embedded Installation?
How to enable serial console on FreeNAS?
Is there any way to get the functionality of dRobo or XRaid2 or UnRAID in FreeNAS?
Is there any way to expand/grow a RAID array without having to backup and restore all my data?
What is the best, safe way to enlarge a SoftwareRAID array?
Why are manual changes to configuration files (like SMB.CONF) not saved after a reboot?
(Work in progress)

[al562]

Q: Can I automatically backup my data to external, USB drives that mount automatically?
A: Yes, but since you want everything to be automatic you will have to learn about scripting. You can start by taking a look at:

• Backup to external disk(rsync).
• USB attach, auto-mount, rsync, detach & umount(auto-backup)

You want encryption with that? It's already in there too!

[al562]

Q: Can I grow a softwareRAID array from FreeNAS GUI?
A: No.

Q: Can I grow a softwareRAID array from FreeNAS CLI?
A: Possible but not suggested, !! Not Safe !!.

Q: Can I grow a UFS filesystem from FreeNAS GUI?
A: No.

Q: Can I grow a UFS filesystem from FreeNAS CLI?
A: Possible but not suggested , up to 2TB !! Not Safe !!. Reference: Grow filesystem on EFI/GPT partition.

Q: Can you move/transfer/migrate the same 3 or 4 or 5, RAID5 drives to another FreeNAS server and still maintain the data? Can you do this for SoftRAID1?
A: Yes! The software RAID is not tied to anything except what is on those disks and the software itself. Remember to backup your configuration file before you start. You can use it as a reference and in case of emergency. You should also backup your data unless you really know what you are doing.
Start by reading the following for background on how/what to expect and do.

• Add Old Software RAID Workflow.
• Discussion/example of how to recover damaged RAID.
• Another, more in depth discussion of deleting and then recovering RAID.
• How to transfer a RAID5? This is where you see how to do it.

Q: What is the best, safe way to enlarge a SoftwareRAID array?
A: The safe way is the hard way:

1. Backup your data
2. Destroy your original array
3. Add new disk(s), don't forget to format the disk's SoftwareRAID
4. Create new SoftwareRAID array
5. Format & mount the array.
6. Restore data from backup.
7. For a couple of other possible options see: Is there any way to expand/grow a RAID array without having to backup and restore all my data?

Q: How can I identify which /dev is which physical hard drive? Which drive is which?!?
A: This is an especially good thing to know when you are trying to replace a failed drive in a SoftRAID array!

1. Know your disks' unique serial number
   
2. Run the following one liner in WebGUI > Advanced|Execute command
   

   Code: Select all

   for i in $(sysctl -n kern.disks);do printf  "%s\t%s\n" $i "$(smartctl -a /dev/$i | grep "Serial Number")";done | sort

   This will output a list of all disks' assigned /dev's and serial numbers.
3. Find which disks are members of your Software RAID array by using geom status command or looking at WebGUI > Diagnostics|Information|Software RAID page.
4. Identify the bad disk.
5. Replace the bad disk in the SoftRAID array with a new one of equal OR greater size.

[al562]

Q: Can I upgrade from the Embedded 32bit version, installed on a hard drive, to 64bit version?
A: Yes. Here's how:

• Short version(thanks to Volker)
  
  1. CREATE a backup of your configuration via WebGUI 'System|Backup/Restore'
  2. Open /etc/platform file and change i386-embedded to amd64-embedded
  3. Go to 'System|Firmware' and upload the AMD64 img file
     This is the hardcore upgrade version, so use it on your own risk.
• Long version(thanks to Dan)
  
  1. Download same version/revision FreeNAS embedded IMG file and FreeNAS LiveCD AMD64 ISO.
  2. Upgrade FreeNAS using IMG file.
  3. Backup the configuration.
  4. Shutdown, open the box and disconnect data only disk if any, just for safety.
  5. Burn LiveCD AMD64 ISO and boot from LiveCD (FreeNAS AMD64). Possible LiveCD will pick the configuration from disk.
  6. Select "(6) Shell" from menu and umount the hard disk.
     umount -f /cf && exit
  7. Select "(9) Install" & install on HDD. Here you can opt for 3 partitions , system+data+swap.
  8. Shutdown.
  9. Connect data only disk removed in Step #4 and boot from HDD(ad0).
  10. Set network configuration(menu 1 & 2).
  11. Backup the new configuration ... just in case.
  12. Restore old configuration from backup(step 3).
  13. Reboot.

Reference: Upgrade to 64 bit version from 32 bit version....

[al562]

Q: How come my script works in shell when invoked manually but not in CRON?
A: In FreeNAS, CRON does not have a user profile set. When you run a script or command manually it runs using your user profile/settings/privileges, (root usually). CRONs’ settings/privileges are not the same as roots’. To make sure your script/command works properly, you need to fully specify all path names and ensure non-root access to files, folders and processes. You can also set a profile for CRON with root credentials, but this is not recommended for security reasons.

Reference: HELP: Script works but not on postinit?

[al562]

Q: How do I upgrade/replace/clone my USB Flash drive/CF card running Embedded Installation?
A: If your new USB FLash/CF is equal or bigger than original Flash/CF you can just copy from old one to new one. There are a couple of ways to do this.
First way(thanks to Dan)

1. Boot from old Flash/CF if FreeNAS is down.
2. Insert the second/new Flash/CF stick.
   
   • Old FLash/CF stick should be da0
   • New FLash/CF stick should be da1, check your dmesg log.
3. Copy old to new.
   

   Code: Select all

   dd if=/dev/da0 of=/dev/da1 bs=16k

4. Shutdown and remove old FLash/CF
5. Boot from new FLash/CF

Second way(thanks to Lorne)

1. Burn a LiveCD with the same FreeNAS version you are running now on USB#1
2. backup freenas configuration.
3. install USB#2 and boot from Live CD.
4. install FreeNAS to USB#2, use same options as previous install to USB#1.
5. boot from USB#2, assign interfaces and setup network.
6. restore saved configuration and reboot.

Reference: How do I upgrade/replace my USB stick?

[al562]

Q: How to enable serial console on FreeNAS?
A: See: Re: Serial Console in .7-4653

[al562]

Q: Why are manual changes to configuration files (like SMB.CONF) not saved after a reboot?
A: Because FreeNAS settings are managed from the WebGUI and all configuration information is stored in a single, monolithic configuration file that recreates each service configuration file upon service restart OR system reboot. That makes FreeNAS different from FreeBSD and other *nix distributions. Manual changes to configuration files like SMB.CONF in FreeNAS are NOT permanent under any installation/platform. The only way to ensure custom settings remain in effect after a service is restarted, or the system is booted, is to enter them in the "Auxiliary Parameters" box provided on most WebGUI services configuration pages.

Reference: smb.conf doesn't save after samba restart

[al562]

Q: How do I mount/map a CIFS/SMB/SAMBA/Windows share/shared folder on my FreeNAS server?
A: For FreeNAS 0.69.2 but should also work for some older and newer versions.
First make sure all hosts/clients are communicating properly on your network. Then you need to create a mount point on the FreeNAS server using the CLI, WebGUI > Advanced|Execute command, SSH or console shell to execute the following:

Code: Select all

mkdir /mnt/YourShareName

You could also use Quixplorer if you are unfamiliar with the other interfaces.

Then you mount the remote share with this command:

Code: Select all

mount_smbfs //RemoteUserName@RemoteServerName /mnt/YourShareName

You will be prompted for the user's password, enter the correct one and the remote shared files & folders should now appear in the /mnt/YourShareName directory/mount point you created.

Would you like to do that without having to enter a password? Here's how:

• Create an SMB configuration file in your home directory and enter your server/login information:

  Code: Select all

  nano ~/.nsmbrc
[default]
domain=Your Windows/SAMBA Domain or Workgroup name.

[RemoteServerName]
addr=RemoteServer IP Address

[RemoteServerName:RemoteServerUserName]
password=RemoteUserPassword

^X
Y


• Note: RemoteServerName and RemoteServerUserName generally need to be capitalized (at least that was my experience with Windows XP shared folder).
• Use the same mount_smbfs command and this time it will find the SMB config file and use the settings you entered. Your remote share should mount without prompting for a password.

If you have trouble and can't get the above to work, before you ask for help, please check your network settings and make sure your computers can communicate with each other. If the network is good then please read and understand mount_smbfs. If you still can't get it working, then ask for help.

[al562]

Q: Is there any way to get the functionality of dRobo or XRaid2 or UnRAID in FreeNAS?
Q: Is there any way to expand/grow a RAID array without having to backup and restore all my data?
A: Nice idea, very old story, few options as of 2009/08.

• dRobo, Linux based, closed source, hardware dependent. See few reviews by Jupiter Broadcasting but don't forget about this one
• unRAID by Lime-Technology, Linux based, closed source, free version is limited, commercial version available.
• Windows Home Server by Microsoft, not a real RAID but who knows
• If you want to be a take a look at ZFS & FreeNAS - A poor (and very geeky) man’s Drobo setup! to see how to do it in FreeNAS using ZFS.