Installing with ZFS instead of UFS??

[jfabernathy]

I'm running Freenas 0.7x using software RAID Mirror with 2 1TB drives. I'm going to build a completely new system to replace that NAS. I figure NAS4free is a better choice for me than Freenas 8. So my questions is should I continue using the UFS Softraid mirrow or use ZFS? I can add additional drives if that make a better, safer NAS system. Also can you properly configure ZFS using the WebGUI? I'm not finding any information on using the WebGUI to configure and setup a ZFS system. When I try to guess my way thru it, I get error 1, which tells me nothing. Any help would be appreciated.

Jim A

[raulfg3]

You have all options, you can continue using UFS or migrate to ZFS, but do the step one a one, your first step must be BACKUP ( if something goes wrong at least your data was safe).

PD: ZFS need 4GB of RAM minimun and 8GB recomended so evaluate your hardaware prior to migrate / upgrade.

PD: read Wiki on my signature to find how to configure ZFS from GUI

[jfabernathy]

Thanks for the response. From the ZFS section on the wiki, I get the part about using Disk Management to add the drives and then use Disk Format as ZFS Storage Pool. But I'm missing the part about using the GUI and then going the next few steps. My guess is as follows:
1. Disk ZFS Pool Virtual device; create mirror by selecting 2 drives.
2. Disk ZFS Pool Management; create a pool by selecting the VD created in #1
3. Disk ZFS Dataset Dataset; create a dataset by selecting pool created in #2
4. Disk ZFS Volumes Volume; create a volutme by slecting Dataset created in # 3 Size the the number available in Data ZFS Dataset Information in my case 685G.

This fails after apply changes with the error:
cannot open 'ZFS-pool/zfsvolume': dataset does not exist

Did I miss a step?

Jim A

[raulfg3]

Sory , can't help you I don't use dataset.
I do step 1 & 2 and next step was to create shares ( I see my /mnt/NAS-A) so I create Video to share /mnt/NAS-A/Video).

[jfabernathy]

I wish there was a good tutorial on how t use ZFS. The wikis all are too complicated and get too deep too quick.

What I want to do is create a reliable NAS that has a way to scrub the data over time to make sure the photos I put there years ago and haven't touched are still there with no bit rot.

JIm A

[armandh]

I use ZFS mirrors
but I get by with much less memory

no problem with just a single user
with 2 Gb

I have run it with less
but I think the 1Gb [min] ram for each Tb storage
is a good bottom limit
and I do not get all 2 Gb what with shared video and embedded OS
[wish I could turn the video to even less use]

The Basics
STARTING at the GUI

1] add drives
2] format zfs
3] create virtual [mirror] device with the drives
4] create pool with virtual device
5] set the services
6] back up config

done / enjoy

being a single user I have no needs for subdivision in to volumes and data sets
I just map the network drive and utilize the whole thing creating folders as needed

[kenZ71]

I use ZFS mirrors
but I get by with much less memory

no problem with just a single user
with 2 Gb

I have run it with less
but I think the 1Gb [min] ram for each Tb storage
is a good bottom limit
and I do not get all 2 Gb what with shared video and embedded OS
[wish I could turn the video to even less use]

The Basics
STARTING at the GUI

1] add drives
2] format zfs
3] create virtual [mirror] device with the drives
4] create pool with virtual device
5] set the services
6] back up config

done / enjoy

being a single user I have no needs for subdivision in to volumes and data sets
I just map the network drive and utilize the whole thing creating folders as needed

I agree with Armand I only have 2gb memory and it works just fine. I stream one movie while read / write files without issues. Although I only have about 400gb of data.

[jfabernathy]

So if you use the ZFS Mirror, do you still get the scrubbing in the background? I want to make sure that all the photos and source code I store there gets read enough to assure it's still there. I know I still need to back that up to offsite, but I need to assure the local NAS is good.

[supercazzola]

I use ZFS mirrors
but I get by with much less memory

no problem with just a single user
with 2 Gb

I have run it with less
but I think the 1Gb [min] ram for each Tb storage
is a good bottom limit
and I do not get all 2 Gb what with shared video and embedded OS
[wish I could turn the video to even less use]

The Basics
STARTING at the GUI

1] add drives
2] format zfs
3] create virtual [mirror] device with the drives
4] create pool with virtual device
5] set the services
6] back up config

done / enjoy

being a single user I have no needs for subdivision in to volumes and data sets
I just map the network drive and utilize the whole thing creating folders as needed

thanks for taking the time to post this. I find it very helpful

[lindsay]

I use ZFS as raulfg3 do with most new wd red harddrives (2 pools raidz).
But i have a pool with 5 harddrives wich is 3 wd green in raidz and a mirror with seagate wich i do a scrub once a week.

Those will be replaced later when i get more wd red harddrives.