How to add SSD cache to existing ZFS volume

[NewAtOCing]

Hello!

I created a ZFS RAID5 array for use as a file server a little while back which I am now looking add SSD caching to. Can this be done? If so, how would I go about doing it? Also, I'm running FreenNas 8.0.4 and do not have a shell tab in the web GUI... why is that?

Thanks!!

 

[Joshua Parker Ruehlig]

it can be done, don't quote me but on 8.0.4 I believe you just add the drive as a cache drive to the same zpool name. In 8.2 there is an option to extend a zpool so it is less confusing.

 

[NewAtOCing]

Ah, excellent thank you. It is a bit confusing, but you go to "create volume" and use the same zpool name, leave the drive unchecked, and select ZFS and cache. Not sure how it would work if I had two available drives, but it works nonetheless!

Thanks again!

 

[Deaks2]

Wierd, I followed theses instructions but now my pool looks like this:

Any idea how to fix it?

 

[NewAtOCing]

From what I could gather, there is no way to remove a disk once it is added to the pool.

I would go to "view disks" and see what that shows. The single drive should be log or cache and the main will probably be stripe.

 

[Deaks2]

It looks like I added the SSD to the Zpool as a data disk by accident. I backed up my data, nuked the server, took the opportunity to install FreeNAS 8.2 BETA 4, and am now up and running.

It was a learning experience, especially the plugins ;)

 

[paleoN]

It looks like I added the SSD to the Zpool as a data disk by accident. I backed up my data, nuked the server, took the opportunity to install FreeNAS 8.2 BETA 4, and am now up and running.

One of the regulars here accidently added a USB drive to his zpool, ouch. He had a current backup, but the only resolution is to nuke the whole zpool.

If you want create a ticket to add a feature request, enhancement, to flash the screen red and give a warning when adding a different type of vdev to an existing zpool.

 

[Joshua Parker Ruehlig]

I think you might be able to re-mediate it if you make an entire pool snapshot before trying it. I guess we could test this in a vm with virtual disks and see if we can revert an accidental mistake, it's not a bad idea to always snapshot before a major change like this.

 

[paleoN]

I think you might be able to re-mediate it if you make an entire pool snapshot before trying it. I guess we could test this in a vm with virtual disks and see if we can revert an accidental mistake, it's not a bad idea to always snapshot before a major change like this.

Now that's an interesting idea. If someone tries it before me, let me know if it works.