New ReadyNas 312/314/316?

For recovering data even though unsupported running the new OS on the Pro would be an option worth considering if you need it. Assuming the array is fine you shouldn't encounter many difficulties migrating an array and backing up the data. However considering some of the new ReadyNAS OS models have 5 year warranties by the time the new models are out of warranty your Pro units would be very old, well out of warranty and may have even failed themselves by then.

If at some point in the future you couldn't find a working unit to migrate the data from a failed Pro or a ReadyNAS OS model you could connect the disks up to an ordinary Linux PC to recover data. Just need to install mdadm, lvm2 (for 4.2.x) using apt-get (if they are not already on the system) and use a handful of commands to mount the array. The commands are a bit different for 4.2.x versus 6.0.x (6.0.x is actually a bit simpler). You have plenty of options to recover your client's data should you need them.

As you have mentioned you could buy a second hand unit as a spare (no support from NetGear for that, but the community here may be able to help) or possibly get one from a client (if they upgrade to a newer system and no longer want the Pro Series unit).

You should be able to get some support for booting an array running the old OS on new systems for the purposes solely of recovering your data (after all eventually - probably still years away - they will need to start replacing failed Pros under warranty via RMA with new models like they have replaced some failed NVX units with Pro 4s). After backing up the data you could then do a factory default and restore the data from backup onto the new OS.

Do you have any idea how long it takes to rebuild and restore 4TB of Data. I do, as I just did one over the last few days. Even if (under RMA) they replace the Pro with new version, wouldn't that be worse if current drives (OS) don't work in new units (or would they work?). If that was the case, it would take many days to rebuild the system and restore the Data (assuming one has a copy on hand).

Regardless, All I am saying is Netgear should have considered its existing clients when deciding to bring out a new range of NAS's, I think this is what the post is about and I am in full agreement. Appreciate your feedback though.

Even if not on the compatibility list for the new models they might work, but you would need to backup your data, do a factory default then restore data from backup to the NAS.

I think if you put an array from a 4.2.x box into a 6.0.x one it should still boot the 4.2.x OS (don't do an OS Re-install) but I haven't tried this.

When I copied my data to my Ultra 6 from my NV+ (v1) using Frontview backup jobs it took me a few days. But the NV+ (v1) is slow so it would be quicker only using newer models.

mdgm wrote:
I think if you put an array from a 4.2.x box into a 6.0.x one it should still boot the 4.2.x OS (don't do an OS Re-install) but I haven't tried this.

Now that's a test worth doing as the transfer of Data is the time consuming part, If one could place the current drives into a new unit using original OS and it worked, then this would initially get one up and going. If you get a chance and have a spare Disk, plonk some data on it and see what happens if you move the disk from the Pro to the new.

Cheers

MSD wrote:
mdgm wrote:I think if you put an array from a 4.2.x box into a 6.0.x one it should still boot the 4.2.x OS (don't do an OS Re-install) but I haven't tried this.

Hey mdgm, have you tested this out yet? I'd assume you would want to know yourself if it works?

I haven't tried this yet, but I should, hopefully soon.