ReadyNAS Pro rebooting and resyncing, with file copy hangups and other issues

StephenB,

Hello again, and thanks for your continued interest.

Frontview reports 8171GB of 10TB used, and the X-Raid2 volume is redundant.  

The ReadyNAS display reports 2.9/10.9T free.

For a unit with 4x2tb + 2x4tb, this would seem the correct volume size.

I just can't seem to do anything with the unit except let it idle or light read operations.

Once again, I tried splitting a 450mb FLAC.  This time it made it through the split, but when I tried to use dBpoweramp to convert the resulting individual track WAVs to FLAC, it rebooted just upon the request to do so.  It hadn't even started doing the conversion.   This is typical of how it has been responding lately.

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Ear-Relevant wrote:

 

For a unit with 4x2tb + 2x4tb, this would seem the correct volume size.

  

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I agree.  ~12 TB (or 10.9 TiB)

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Ear-Relevant wrote:

it rebooted just upon the request to do so.

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Try PMing mdgm-ntgr and ask if he is willing to look at the logs.  It'd good to see if the NAS is unexpectedly shutting down/crashing.

A brute-force option is to 

• back up the data
• do a factory reset
• restore the data from backup

But that only makes sense if the software is corrupted somehow, it won't help if the issue is the hardware.

StephenB,

Thanks.  I sent mdgm a note requesting his assistance.

Brute-Force!   Yikes!!  But, yeah, that is a logical next option if someone experienced like mgdm can't spot the problem(s).

I have the backups split across three USB drives.  Besides the very long times involved for a restore operation with ~8tb data, there is always the risk of one of those drives failing during the restore, so I'd rather avoid the brute-force option.  Also, if it is a CPU/Motherboard issue, I will have done all that work and taken all that risk for naught.   Since I seem to be able to at least READ from the NAS without it going into reboots, I'd prefer to keep it intact in case I choose to purchase a new NAS.   Then, i'd attempt to restore from the current NAS to the new one, with the USB drives as 2nd backup.  If, after doing that, I am able to get the current NAS back to health after a system restore, then I'll have another, more convenient backup source, and those individual USB drives can be periodically rotated off-site, which is something I should already be doing......

Cheers, and have a pleasant Memorial Day weekend!

I will be around, so I'll be responding if you have more suggestions.

I can see

May 21 16:25:06 nas-EA-1F-D1 kernel: [Hardware Error]: Machine check events logged

This would suggest a hardware issue of some kind. I'd suggest testing the disks and memory (there are boot menu options, but you can remove your disks - label order - and test your SeaGate disks at least using SeaTools) if you haven't already.

Anyway I can see you set this system up way back on 4.2.5 (or possibly even earlier firmware).

You've got a triple layer array.

I can see you're using quite a range of different disk models. That's not ideal:

disk!!1!!status=ok::descr=Channel 1: ST32000644NS 1863 GB, 36C/96F
disk!!2!!status=ok::descr=Channel 2: ST4000VN008-2DR166 3726 GB, 31C/87F
disk!!3!!status=ok::descr=Channel 3: ST2000VN000-1HJ164 1863 GB, 31C/87F
disk!!4!!status=ok::descr=Channel 4: ST2000NM0011 1863 GB, 36C/96F
disk!!5!!status=ok::descr=Channel 5: SAMSUNG HD204UI 1863 GB, 32C/89F
disk!!6!!status=ok::descr=Channel 6: ST4000VN008-2DR166 3726 GB, 31C/87F

If you want to start afresh e.g. if there's a bad disk, one option would be to power down, remove your disks (label order), get a bunch of new disks, put them in and restore from backup. If something goes wrong you might have your old set of remaining good disks to fall back on.

Obviously if there's a chassis issue you'll need to restore from backup to a new ReadyNAS anyway.

mdgm,

Thanks for your prompt diagnosis.

Earlier, memory testing passed 4 rounds with no errors.  I also unseated and re-seated the cards in their slots.

That's a lot of work to test 6 disks, especially given the strong possibility of CPU/Motherboard issues.

Manufacturers replace models often, and previous models become hard to get.  Also, with the discontinued models that are still available for purchase, sometimes you think you are buying a new disk, but the vendor is selling you a refurbished one.  Sigh.

Over the life of this NAS, I have gone from 1tb -> 2tb -> 4tb drives.  I began to mix drive models and sizes soon after acquiring the NAS. It was the most practical way to go forward as drives failed, prices fell for larger drives, and I needed a larger volume.  Maybe not ideal, but the NAS seemed to work OK until about a year ago.

When the capacity first reached ~10% remaining free space, it started having problems with file copy operations about the same time.  I deleted and/or off-loaded enough files to create ~20% free space.  Then, the NAS began running fast and smooth, without hangups.  This could be a coincidence, but it seemed a cause & effect at the time.

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I will gve this thread a few more days.  

Otherwise, I think my solution is going to be:

- Acquire a new NAS with 4 x 4tb identical drives.  

- Restore from existing the NAS if possible because it seems stable for read operations of any size, just not write operations.  

Btw, what does this say about the current problem(s)? 

- If the existing NAS is not stable enough for this task, I have a full backup across 3 USB drives, and will use a fan to keep them cool during the restore to a new NAS.

- Then, I will start fresh with this ReadyNAS, using only the 2 x 4tb drives.  If it seems to operate reliably again, I will add two more identical 4tb drives to it, providing a mirror backup to the primary, new NAS.

- The existing USB drives will be kept offsite and periodically updated once a month or so.   I should already be doing this!

Questions:  

1.) Should I (can I?) connect the two NAS units with an eSata cable for fastest transfer?

2.) Should I (can I?) I run OS6 on the ReadyNAS Pro?

Thanks again,

Ear-Relevant

The Pro6 doesn't have eSATA, but you couldn't connect them that way, anyway.  Neither can you via USB.

Yes, the Pro6 can run OS6.  If you are going to start fresh, moving to OS6 is an excellenmt part of the plan.  Not only will you get a more up to date system on the Pro, you'll have two NASes with the same OS (assuming your replacement NAS will be a Netgear).

Sandshark,

Thanks for clarifying about eSata and USB for between-NAS file copy.

I'll use mirror software to manage the transfer.  This is gonna take a long time.

I am glad to be able to use the new OS6 on my ReadyNAS Pioneer Pro.   Good News.

At this point, I am likely to switch to the Synology DS1517+.  It seems a better value than current Netgear offerings, and the OS looks to be more user friendly.   The less capable Netgar RN316 isn't much less expensive.  With today's larger drives, five vs. six drive bays is enough for me.   I hope this admission doesn't get me tarred & feathered on this forum!   (;->)

After all, I want to get a more use out of the ReadyNAS Pro, and may need to ask additional questions.

Cheers,

Ear-Relevant

The RN426 and RN428 our new models with a quad-core Atom CPU. Our RN426 and RN426 are using a newer CPU (C3000) than the CPU used in the competitor model you mentioned.

Your Pro could have a bad disk, failing PSU, bad RAM, some other hardware issue.

Considering the age of your unit it's not that surprising that some hardware is failing.

In any case like any PC hardware can fail at any time.

You may want to consider upgrading the processor on your Pioneer Pro.  The Pentium  1.8GHz E2160 in it is a bit slow, and replacement Core2 processors are quite cheap these days.  Mine are running a 2.93GHz Core2 E7500, which currently sells on eBay for about $5.  Of course, if it's just as a backup system, it may not make too much of a difference.

If you do decide to upgrade the processor, make sure your BIOS is the latest.  The fastest of the compatible CPU's need it and it's a lot easier to update while you are on OS4.2.x than on OS6.

Mentioning the competition, even that you own or may purchase one, is not a capital offense.  Just don't advocate it.

mdgm,

I will give the Netgear RN426 a fair comparison with the Synology DS1517+ before making a purchase.

Yes, nothing lasts forever.   As I like to say, "Getting Old Sucks!"

I need a new set of ears & eyes, a right hip, left elbow, and among many other things, my gray matter isn't as flexible as it once was.

Oh, well, that's life!

Thanks,

Ear-Relevant

Sandshark,

That's interesting about the inexpensive processor upgrade, also considering that the CPU might be what's causing the current trouble.  Thanks for the tip!

I have favorites, but I try to not be a fanboy with any consumer products.  I'm just trying to choose the best product for my needs in a crowded market.  It is much more complex with something like an NAS, network speeds, backup strategies, etc.   Phew!

On the topic of perfectionism and consumer choice, I often recommend a great book: The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less, by Barry Schwartz.

Peace,

Ear-Relevant