Hi, I was running a RN316 (v6.5.1) smoothly at work and Replicate to a remote RN104 (6.5.2). I know I did not update the firmware but those versions were the most stable for me and it's hard to keep a 10 Tb backup each time I do an update. Last week, I've got a surprise on the RN104 showing "btrfs_search_forward+2ac" and the 4 volumes are empty. The RN316 is loaded with 11-12 Tb including snapshots. The RN104 boot menu is not working, I have only the "normal boot" option. So this is my rescue plan I have in mind: I ordered a 10To USB 3.0 drive to make a local backup from RN316 prior to do anything else, just in case. Update the remote RN104 6.5.2 to version 6.10.3.Format the 4 drives from RN104 to remove the btrfs problem. Bring the RN104 on site to manually copy all the shares from RN316.Run all the disk maintenance tests on the RN104. Is there a specific btrfs test?If everything seems fine, it could be the right time to update the RN316 from 6.5.1 to 6.10.3. Any risk to lose my config or data?As long as the RN316 is running fine, I would delete the manual backup and rebuild the Replicate jobs to sync the RN104.Bring back the RN104 to the remote location and drink a beer. Do you have any comment or advice for me? What would be the best file system for the USB drive?

That's a big jump in OS version. You definately need to update. But you might want to only go as far as the latest "long term support" version (6.9.6) initially, especially on the 104, which has less memory. Once you cross a major revision line (second decimal), there is no going back.

BernyB wrote: I received my USB drive, any more advice before I start? The backup of course is very important. On the firmware upgrade, you should be ok (since the RN104 is running 6.5.2). You'll lose Replicate and Remote though (and am a bit surprised that they were still working for you). You can substitute rsync over ssh (with port forwarding or over a VPN) - configuring rsync to delete files on the destination that are no longer on the source. Though that doesn't provide versioning, you can set up custom snapshots on the RN104 to give you retention. On the maintenance tasks - "balance" is specific to btrfs. Also the scrub includes both a btrfs scrub and a RAID scrub. I suggest setting up a schedule that runs all the tests periodically. Personally I run each test every three months. On the RN316 - if you are using "smart" snapshots, you might consider switching to "custom", and setting a retention limit. The "smart" snapshots keep the monthly ones indefinitely - requiring manual deletion from time to time.

BernyB wrote: StephenB and Sandshark , as my RN104 is only a remote backup, should I activate the bit rot protection to avoid btrfs problem again, or it's too heavy to manage on the cpu? It does have a performance impact, but it seems unlikely to matter for remote backup. So perhaps enable it, and if the performance is too sluggish, then turn it off again.

I received my UBS drive, any more advice before I start?

You'll lose Replicate and Remote though (and am a bit surprised that they were still working for you). Why would I lose Replicate, it's been removed from the latest firmware? On the maintenance tasks - "balance" is specific to btrfs. Also the scrub includes both a btrfs scrub and a RAID scrub. I suggest setting up a schedule that runs all the tests periodically. Personally I run each test every three months.I already scheduled those tasks every 2 months and the unit is on UPS power, but it did not prevent me to loose all data from the RN104. Thanks.

Remote RN104 btrfs corrupted (empty volumes)

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Sandshark
Sensei
Apr 30, 2020
That's a big jump in OS version. You definately need to update. But you might want to only go as far as the latest "long term support" version (6.9.6) initially, especially on the 104, which has less memory. Once you cross a major revision line (second decimal), there is no going back.
BernyB
Tutor
May 07, 2020
I received my UBS drive, any more advice before I start?
- StephenB
  Guru - Experienced User
  May 08, 2020
  BernyB wrote:
  
  I received my USB drive, any more advice before I start?
  
  The backup of course is very important.
  
  On the firmware upgrade, you should be ok (since the RN104 is running 6.5.2). You'll lose Replicate and Remote though (and am a bit surprised that they were still working for you). You can substitute rsync over ssh (with port forwarding or over a VPN) - configuring rsync to delete files on the destination that are no longer on the source. Though that doesn't provide versioning, you can set up custom snapshots on the RN104 to give you retention.
  
  On the maintenance tasks - "balance" is specific to btrfs. Also the scrub includes both a btrfs scrub and a RAID scrub. I suggest setting up a schedule that runs all the tests periodically. Personally I run each test every three months.
  
  On the RN316 - if you are using "smart" snapshots, you might consider switching to "custom", and setting a retention limit. The "smart" snapshots keep the monthly ones indefinitely - requiring manual deletion from time to time.
  - BernyB
    Tutor
    May 08, 2020
    You'll lose Replicate and Remote though (and am a bit surprised that they were still working for you).
    Why would I lose Replicate, it's been removed from the latest firmware?
    
    On the maintenance tasks - "balance" is specific to btrfs. Also the scrub includes both a btrfs scrub and a RAID scrub. I suggest setting up a schedule that runs all the tests periodically. Personally I run each test every three months.
    I already scheduled those tasks every 2 months and the unit is on UPS power, but it did not prevent me to loose all data from the RN104.
    
    Thanks.

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Remote RN104 btrfs corrupted (empty volumes)

11 Replies

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