I have a RN312 with 2 disks (1TB each) running in X Raid (RAID1). System is working well, with 390GB disk space free. OS 6.10 (Hotfix 2) I now plan to buy a new RN214 (with 4 x 1TB, to be configured in X-Raid, RAID5). I will set up the new RN214 with static IP address, and create identical shares in RN214 as already exist in RN312. Both old RN312 and new RN214 will be on the same LAN at my home, with static IP addresses. How can I synchronise the new RN214 to the old 312, (and then, once synchronised, map PC's to new RN214), and switch off old RN312?

WarrenT wrote: How can I synchronise the new RN214 to the old 312, (and then, once synchronised, map PC's to new RN214), and switch off old RN312? I'd reconfigure the NAS manually (recreating user accounts, other settings, and shares via the web UI). Once that is done, enable rsync on all shares on the RN312, and use rsync incremental backup jobs on the RN214 to transfer data from each share on the RN312 to the destination share on the RN214. Also set the "remove deleted files from target" on the advanced options. Rsync will preserve all file attributes (though folders will end up with the different date). The rsync jobs will run NAS-NAS, so you don't need to remain logged in to a PC. It might take a day or so to complete this part. I suggest using incremental rsync, because you can re-run the jobs right before you shut down the RN312. That second update will complete quickly, and will take care of any files that might have changed after the initial backup was run. If you use the "home" share feature, the easiest way to migrate the private shares is to log in to both from a PC, and manually copy the data over the network. WarrenT wrote: I now plan to buy a new RN214 (with 4 x 1TB, to be configured in X-Raid, RAID5). Personally I recommend using larger disks, and leaving empty slots for later expansion. It's cheaper in the long run (and can cost the same initially). For instance, 4 WD10EFRX would cost about $240. 2 WD40EFRX cost almost exactly the same, and actually gives you 1 TB more storage. Then later on you can expand by inserting a single new disk instead of upgrading a pair of working drives. I do recommend using either NAS-purposed disks (WD Red or Seagate Ironwolf) or enterprise class. I don't recommend desktop drives, even though there are some on the HCL.

Thanks for the useful advice on this upgrade route. I will be using 4x WD Red drives, and will consider your suggestion to go for a larger (say 4TB) drive. I understand RN314 is not shipped as it is EOL, hence RN214 as my choice for the NASPrimary on a home system with only 2 users. I will look in detail at using RSYNC as the route to populate the new RN214 from the old RN312. (I will convert the unused RN312 to a secondary Backup device (BackupB) just to store my RD snapshots). I already have a RN312 (2 x 2TB WD Red drives) called BackupA for daily backups. As an alternative approach to change over from RN312 to RN214: 1. Place a new WD Red 4TB into the RN312, and allow to synchronise over 2 -3 days. 2. Use an old disk as a scratch disk to get the new RN214 onto network (new IP address) and update OS to latest. 3. Shutdown RN214, remove scratch disk, transfer WD Red 4TB Disk 1 from RN312 into slot 1 of RN214. Shut down old RN312, start up RN214. Map all links to new RN214 NAS. 4. Insert 2nd new WD Red 4TB disc into slot 2 of RN214 and allow to synchronise. 5. Add 3rd new WD Red 4TB disc into slot 3 of RN214 and allow to synchronise. 6. Add 4th new WD Red 4TB disc into slot 4 of RN214 and allow to synchronise. Thanks, Warren

WarrenT wrote: As an alternative approach to change over from RN312 to RN214: I don't recommend doing it this way. One reason is that the upgrade path from x86->arm NAS isn't a main use case - Netgear seems to assume that the main path is arm->x86. So it's not as well tested as the arm-x86 case (and might not even be fully supported). If you do try it this way, then make sure that the firmware on the RN214 matches the RN312 before you begin. Also uninstall your apps first, as they generally won't run on the RN214 (and won't migrate). This would be a better path if you went with an RN424 (which is x86, but is also more expensive). WarrenT wrote: I will be using 4x WD Red drives, Of course you can start with 4x4TB, though I'd suggest starting with 2x4TB with two empty slots instead. Then add drives later on when it fills. Perhaps get 4 drives, and upgrade one of the RN312s to 2x4TB while you are at it. That will ensure that you can back up the NAS for now (and also when/if you go to 3x4TB on the main NAS).

Thank you Stephen. I will stick with your suggestion of the RSYNC route to populate the new RN214(from old RN312). I was surprised the 'new' RN214 was equipped with ARM processor and not Intel. Netgear must have had their reasons. Point taken on the 2x4TB WD Red costing. Thanks again for your very helpful advice. Warren

I think a configuration backup on the old unit and restore on the new should move over all users and groups. It should work between OS6 units, ARM or Intel, just not from an OS4.x or 5.x system. The 214 is getting to be a bit old. If you needed a faster machine as well as more bays, you should have gone with the 400 series or higher.

Upgrade of my ReadyNAS from RN312 to RN214

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StephenB
Guru - Experienced User
Apr 29, 2019
WarrenT wrote:

How can I synchronise the new RN214 to the old 312, (and then, once synchronised, map PC's to new RN214), and switch off old RN312?

I'd reconfigure the NAS manually (recreating user accounts, other settings, and shares via the web UI).

Once that is done, enable rsync on all shares on the RN312, and use rsync incremental backup jobs on the RN214 to transfer data from each share on the RN312 to the destination share on the RN214. Also set the "remove deleted files from target" on the advanced options. Rsync will preserve all file attributes (though folders will end up with the different date). The rsync jobs will run NAS-NAS, so you don't need to remain logged in to a PC.

It might take a day or so to complete this part. I suggest using incremental rsync, because you can re-run the jobs right before you shut down the RN312. That second update will complete quickly, and will take care of any files that might have changed after the initial backup was run.

If you use the "home" share feature, the easiest way to migrate the private shares is to log in to both from a PC, and manually copy the data over the network.

WarrenT wrote:

I now plan to buy a new RN214 (with 4 x 1TB, to be configured in X-Raid, RAID5).

Personally I recommend using larger disks, and leaving empty slots for later expansion. It's cheaper in the long run (and can cost the same initially).

For instance, 4 WD10EFRX would cost about $240. 2 WD40EFRX cost almost exactly the same, and actually gives you 1 TB more storage. Then later on you can expand by inserting a single new disk instead of upgrading a pair of working drives.

I do recommend using either NAS-purposed disks (WD Red or Seagate Ironwolf) or enterprise class. I don't recommend desktop drives, even though there are some on the HCL.
- WarrenT
  Tutor
  Apr 29, 2019
  Thanks for the useful advice on this upgrade route. I will be using 4x WD Red drives, and will consider your suggestion to go for a larger (say 4TB) drive. I understand RN314 is not shipped as it is EOL, hence RN214 as my choice for the NASPrimary on a home system with only 2 users.
  
  I will look in detail at using RSYNC as the route to populate the new RN214 from the old RN312. (I will convert the unused RN312 to a secondary Backup device (BackupB) just to store my RD snapshots). I already have a RN312 (2 x 2TB WD Red drives) called BackupA for daily backups.
  
  As an alternative approach to change over from RN312 to RN214:
  
  1. Place a new WD Red 4TB into the RN312, and allow to synchronise over 2 -3 days.
  
  2. Use an old disk as a scratch disk to get the new RN214 onto network (new IP address) and update OS to latest.
  
  3. Shutdown RN214, remove scratch disk, transfer WD Red 4TB Disk 1 from RN312 into slot 1 of RN214. Shut down old RN312, start up RN214. Map all links to new RN214 NAS.
  
  4. Insert 2nd new WD Red 4TB disc into slot 2 of RN214 and allow to synchronise.
  
  5. Add 3rd new WD Red 4TB disc into slot 3 of RN214 and allow to synchronise.
  
  6. Add 4th new WD Red 4TB disc into slot 4 of RN214 and allow to synchronise.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Warren
  - StephenB
    Guru - Experienced User
    Apr 29, 2019
    WarrenT wrote:
    
    As an alternative approach to change over from RN312 to RN214:
    
    I don't recommend doing it this way. One reason is that the upgrade path from x86->arm NAS isn't a main use case - Netgear seems to assume that the main path is arm->x86. So it's not as well tested as the arm-x86 case (and might not even be fully supported). If you do try it this way, then make sure that the firmware on the RN214 matches the RN312 before you begin. Also uninstall your apps first, as they generally won't run on the RN214 (and won't migrate).
    
    This would be a better path if you went with an RN424 (which is x86, but is also more expensive).
    
    WarrenT wrote:
    
    I will be using 4x WD Red drives,
    
    Of course you can start with 4x4TB, though I'd suggest starting with 2x4TB with two empty slots instead. Then add drives later on when it fills. Perhaps get 4 drives, and upgrade one of the RN312s to 2x4TB while you are at it. That will ensure that you can back up the NAS for now (and also when/if you go to 3x4TB on the main NAS).

Forum Discussion

Upgrade of my ReadyNAS from RN312 to RN214

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