ZFS Replication - How to Proceed? Kindly Suggest!!

[FreeNAS_Lover]

Hello,

I have a Supermicro system (3TB * 24 disk) configured in Raid Z2. (Three vdevs - each vdev comprising (8 disk * 3TB = 24 TB) . I have dumped lots of data in it (videos + files + docs + pics, movies etc.). Now my disks are getting almost full.

Existing system config:
Processor: Intel Xeon E5 - 2620 V2 (2.1 Ghz), RAM - 64 GB ECC, Hard drives 7200 RPM seagate 3 TB
FreeNAS version: 8.3.1 p2 - x64

I am planning to build another system, with similar config (but with more disk space) in such a way that the new system takes automatic backup from the Existing server (Primary). So in case of any hard disk failures in my Primary server, I have sufficient backups in my Secondary Server (Backup Server). Also, I may delete some old files from my primary Server, if it is backed up in my Secondary server.

Just simple changes required here - I want to bring this whole system in 10 Gigabit backbone, so that the backups between the Primary & Secondary server becomes faster using a 10G switch (May be a Layer 3 Managed Switch) which will have 24 x 1GbE (RJ45) ports and 2 x 10G (SFP+) ports.

One more query: As my Primary server has FreeNAS 8.3.1 p2 - x64; Do I need to keep the same version in my Secondary Server (Backup Server)?

OR

I can use a different version altogether like FreeNAS 9.2.0 or any recent release. Would different versions on servers (Primary & Secondary) affect their performance or create any problem? Please suggest.

Please guide me the process. Is it worth doing. Will it be successful. Did anyone have similar experiences. Your valuable suggestions will be appreciated and helpful.

What can be other ways of doing a Backup from a Primary Server (Daily use) to a Secondary Server (BackUp Server) automatically?

Kindly suggest!!

Regards,

 

[depasseg]

I'm not sure of the version compatibility but you need to read up on ZFS replication, and if that won't work because of a version issue, then investigate Rsync.

 

[FreeNAS_Lover]

OK! Thanks..

At the most I have to upgrade the version and keep it same in both my Primary Server & Secondary Server (BACKUP). I will read ZFS replication.

But will this 10Gigabit backbone work..Do you have any similar experiences. And more important, If I configure a PULL PUSH job for the vdevs individually like I have Home1, Home2, Home3, Home4 & Home5, does it automatically backup and update files everyday in my backup system or I have to manually do it everyday? I mean if I create a video file "Marriage_Taj" in my Primary Server, will a copy automatically be created in my Secondary server, provided I have already created PULL PUSH job (Replication tasks earlier). I have never done it before, until recently I am making up my mind to configure the setup as described earlier. Please guide.

I may also try Resync as you advised. But what's the basic difference between Resync Tasks and Replication Tasks?

Thanks for your valuable time.

looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards..