ReadyNAS Pro 6 won't boot after failed drive addition

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on1ski wrote:

 

I'm finding some references to those who use rsync between a FreeNAS server and a ReadyNAS server. I might do that instead of buying a large external USB drive, and then use my existing ReadyNAS as my backup to the new server once I build it. Any comments on that would be appreciated.

 

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I use NAS->NAS backup myself.  It's convenient, and I think it's more robust.

• A locally connected USB drive can be corrupted if the NAS fails or is subjected to a power surge
• If the NAS was hacked or otherwise infected, the USB drive would likely also be corrupted.
• The NAS backup volume can be protected by RAID, and easily expanded over time.
• The backup NAS doesn't need to be co-located, which could be useful in the case of theft or other physical threats.

Disabling SMB and other protocols you aren't using on the backup also will provide some isolation to network attacks (ransomware for example).

I'd upgrade the ReadyNAS to OS-6 if you do this.  The combination of Rsync+custom snapshots on the ReadyNAS gives you some retention in the backups (giving you easy access to older versions).  It also eliminates the volume expansion limits of your current firmware - letting you use much larger volumes later on.

Great feedback. Thank you.

Can you share the exact approach you take to your NAS to NAS backup? Is it Rsync (if so, what's the command) or something specific within the ReadyNAS environment? Is it proprietary to ReadyNAS, meaning, would the backup be recoverable or transferable to a non-ReadyNAS NAS? While I'm seeing a lot of discussion on Rsync, most are people who can't resolve problems, and involve rsync'ing between similar NASs (i.e., ReadyNAS to ReadyNAS).

On the OS6 upgrade, is that as simple as downloading the lastest version from the Netgear website and doing a 'local' update? Of course, my current Pro 6 doesn't see an updates availble...

I also use NAS-to-NAS backup.  I use rsync, which is a standard Linux protocol.  You set it up on the ReadyNAS vio the Backup pages.  I'm not sure if FreeNAS has some sort of GUI for backups or not, but it definately supports rsync.

I have my backup BAS on a schedule, and it turns on to do the backups, has a little extra time for when a maintenance event ends up coiciding, then it turns off.  By having the backups initiated by the backup NAS, it holds off a shut-down if a backup is in progress.  The only down side is that initiating from the source would allow it to do a snapshot first.

ReadyDR is Netgears implementation of BTRFS snapshot send/receive, so could also be used if your FreeNAS is set up to use BTRFS.  That's typical, though, I believe most use ZFS.  I've not switched over the ReadyDR for my backups, though I have looked at doing so.  It's a more efficient way to do incremental backups because it makes better use of snapshotting, but the data on the backup is not immediately accesible if needed, you have to clone a snapshot and make that available.

I also have a second backup offsite for really critical stuff, and use ZeroTier as the VPN over which i can then also do rsync without having to mess with rsync over ssh.

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on1ski wrote:

 

Can you share the exact approach you take to your NAS to NAS backup? Is it Rsync (if so, what's the command) or something specific within the ReadyNAS environment? 

 

 

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I use rsync backup jobs in the ReadyNAS.  These work with other linux systems (including competing NAS).

You can set these up either as "pull" backups (where the source directory is on the other machine), or as "push"  (where the destination directory is on the other machine).  I use "pull" myself, and have one backup job for every share on the main NAS.  The backup NAS is on a power schedule, and boots itself up shorty before the backups are scheduled.  After the backups compete, the NAS shuts itself down.  These backups are run daily.

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on1ski wrote:

 

On the OS6 upgrade, is that as simple as downloading the lastest version from the Netgear website and doing a 'local' update?

 

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No, it's not that simple.  The steps are

(Optionally) make sure the latest BIOS is installed before you do the conversion.  To do this you install  http://www.readynas.com/download/addons/x86/4.2/BIOS_Update_Package_0.5-x86.bin as an add-on and reboot the NAS.  Do this after you backup the NAS.  This isn't necessary, but if you so want to update the bios it is easiest to do it prior to converion

Basic instructions for the conversion itself are

1. BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP
2. Upload PREPR4TOR6_0.1-x86.bin as an add-on using the ReadyNAS web gui, but do not reboot afterwards (avoids the need to do manual factory resets)
3. Upload R4toR6_6.9.5.bin using the ReadyNAS web gui firmware update
4. After you upload the addon+firmware and reboot, it will update the firmware and start a factory default.
5. Go through the setup process on the converted NAS 
6. Update the NAS to the current OS 6 (check for updates will work).
7. Restore files from the backup.

Netgear won't provide paid support on a converted NAS, so that is one consideration.  There is a small risk that the process could fail, and if that were to happen it might not be possible to get the NAS running again.

If you do decide to convert the Pro, then you should also consider increasing the RAM.  Shipping OS-6 NAS have at least 2 GB of RAM, your Pro only has 1 GB.  It will work, but it would be sensible to match the resources in the currently shipping NAS.  The upgrade is inexpensive, and is simple to do. 

Hi,

I might be in the same situation here. My Readynas Pro 6 with 6 drives stopped booting after a power failure.

Now it shows "readynas", the fans starts blowing.. but that's it.

I would like to check if it is a power supply failure by replacing the power unit. 

What specs should i google for ? /cc Sandshark and StephenB  

Yes, sounds like the same issue.

I verified the problem by ripping out a 380W supply (the stock PS is a 300W supply) that was sitting in an old forgotten Dell desktop. By taking off the side and top covers of the ReadyNAS, I was able to unplug the two PS board connectors (24pin and 4 pin) running from the existing supply and plug in the same connectors from the Dell supply which is just sitting next to the ReadyNAS chassis. I then removed the molex connectors from the existing supply, which is easy to do, and pushed the connectors onto the SATA cables on the new supply (which goes yellow, black, black, red - with the yellow in the top pin. You do not use the orange wire). The only tricky part was getting the cable to twist about so I could plug them in and ensure the cables were clear of the system fan. That was it. Note that the old supply is still in the chassis -- i just unplugged the cables to the motherboard and drives and left them hanging.

I have taken delivery of a new Silverstone ST45SF 450W supply, along with buying a 24pin ATX extension cable and SATA to Molex connector cables. I did this based on a number of postings I saw on this forum. I have not yet put in the new supply and probably wont for a couple of weeks. Right now the ReadyNAS is backing up to a 10TB external USB, which is only transfering about 900GB a day, so I've got a long way to go.

If you have a spare standard ATX supply handy, you can connect it externally and see if that works, just to verify a replacement supply will fix it.

To do the replacement, you'll need an SFX format supply of at least 300W.  These are the specs of the original:

It'll work best if the fan is centered, but some have used offset ones with no issue.

The combined +12V is one of the more critical ones.  You may need to go to a 350 or 400W supply to be sure there's enough.  You also want 3 4-pin Molex connectors, or SATA to 4-pin adapters to yeild 3 total.  And you'll need a 6" or so extender for the 24-pin connector.

If you plan to run the unit very long with an external ATX supply, make sure you seal gaps for the cables to come out with masking or duct tape to get proper air flow around the drives.

I just wanted to circle back and advise that I completed the swap out of the old power supply with the new Silverstone ST45SF 450W supply, and everything is working great. The system has been up and running for two days without issue.

The ATX extension cable is a must. I used two of the generic 12v Molex connectors on the P/S for two of the drive power connections, and one SATA power connection with a single SATA to Molex connector cable. 

Many many thanks again to Sandshark and to StephenB for all their help and guidance. Case closed!

Great!  You are not the first to have used that supply.  Not the cheapest SFX on the market, but likely will last at least as long as the rest of the NAS remains a viable device.