Need advice on ext4 to Btrfs

[johnbor]

I currently have a DS1819+ with only 4 - 4TB drives in it with data on its configured properly for me running 1 Volume (Volume 1) for all the drives.
I want to change it to Btrfs so that I can use extras features like snapshot replication and active backup features.

How can I do this without disrupting my data and configuration files?
Can I add additional drives in the 4 remaining slots I have available and create a new volume on those with Btrfs and then copy the data over to that volume then ultimately remove that volume 1 ?

I just need to make sure I don't lose my data.
All so I am using Synology Hybrid Raid (SHR) with data protection for 1 - drive. I may want to change that later to I think raid 6 to give me more protection for drive failure?
any help would be Greatly appreciated..

 

[Telos]

Can I add additional drives in the 4 remaining slots I have available and create a new volume on those with Btrfs and then copy the data over to that volume then ultimately remove that volume 1 ?

Yes you can. But technically, rather than copy, "relocate" the shared folders (Shared Folder/Edit) to the new volume (be sure to check "data integrity" for file-healing capability).

Later, when you delete volume1, you'll need to reinstall any packages you had present there.

 

[johnbor]

Yes you can. But technically, rather than copy, "relocate" the shared folders (Shared Folder/Edit) to the new volume (be sure to check "data integrity" for file-healing capability).

Later, when you delete volume1, you'll need to reinstall any packages you had present there.

Ahh I see so just move the folders rather than copy...
when it completes I guess it will be volume 2 or can I rename the volume back to 1 after I complete the copy ?

 

[Telos]

Ahh I see so just move the folders rather than copy...

Not exactly. Go to Shared Folders. Select a shared folder, then "Edit". There is a location tab. Change shared folder location from volume1 to volume2, for example. It is a fancified "move" that preserves links to other packages, such as Hyper Backup for examole.

 

[Rusty]

when it completes I guess it will be volume 2 or can I rename the volume back to 1 after I complete the copy ?

No, you leave it as it is. Officially you cant change the volume name (you can unofficially by messing with super block, but that's on you).

 

[johnbor]

No, you leave it as it is. Officially you cant change the volume name (you can unofficially by messing with super block, but that's on you).

Ok thank you

 

[johnbor]

OK so I am trying to create the Volume and the button is Greyed out.....
So what are my options?
Put additional drives in ???
Oh can I downgrade a drive already in there to free one up so its using 3 instead of 4 of them??
or will i lose data

I all so have access to another synology unit same size, should I pop in a couple new drives then copy the folders and data to the new one that will have Btrfs on it?? How do I keep my settings or cant I from going to ext4 to Btrfs.
I have a couple choices just looking for the one that will preserve my data and settings while achieving the Btrfs file system..

 

[Rusty]

you can’t change format on the fly. You will have to nuke the volume, make a new one as btrfs and move the data back

 

[johnbor]

I loaded another synology unit up, threw 3 drives in and its running its consistency check .. gonna be a while.

I am going to use hyper backup to copy my folders over soon as I can to this unit with the Btrsf on it.

Can I import my settings from the other unit to this new unit so I do not have to reconfigure everything or will that not work with the different file system??

 

[Rusty]

Can I import my settings from the other unit to this new unit so I do not have to reconfigure everything or will that not work with the different file system??

Control panel > Update and restore > configuration backup and restore. not 100% restore

 

[johnbor]

Control panel > Update and restore > configuration backup and restore. not 100% restore

what do you think will not be restored in the settings??

 

[Rusty]

what do you think will not be restored in the settings??

once you start the export it will let you know. DSM7 will have much more time it not all of the settings but atm current version still lacks a bit. It depends on how much you will need in the end. It might cover all your settings. HB backup for the apps and content and this config backup for the rest. You should have minimal effort after it.

 

[johnbor]

Ok Now im must be doing something wrong.. I thought I could just use Hyper backup to connect to the other synology unit and copy the Shared folders with the complete contents in them.
BUT its not like that they are not backing up like folder to folder but instead and different format.
I thought I could simply copy each Shared folder over ?
I Simple want to make a Duplicate of my Shared folders and drives but that is not occurring.. Should I be using something else???

 

[johnbor]

Ok Im doing it right now in Rsync..
But How do I get the config files for each app? are those in the DSM backup settings?

 

[Rusty]

Ok Im doing it right now in Rsync..
But How do I get the config files for each app? are those in the DSM backup settings?

No. For apps that are supported via HB you need to use the proprietary format you used before. Just skip the data backup

 

[johnbor]

No. For apps that are supported via HB you need to use the proprietary format you used before. Just skip the data backup

How do I do that ??? its still running rsync. slow process.. Can you explain the apps and their config files? I dont see a option to not do the data. maybe Im doing something different.

 

[Rusty]

How do I do that ??? its still running rsync. slow process.. Can you explain the apps and their config files? I dont see a option to not do the data. maybe Im doing something different.

Just select the option in HB Remote NAS (as you did before) and follow the wizard. When you get to the step with shared folders, simply pass it and you will eventually land on the apps page. There, select the apps you want to backup.

Same with restore, you will go through the same process but just over the shared folder step until you get to the app section and select what app and its settings you want to restore.

Keep in mind that only supported apps will be listed in the HB backup wizard.

 

[johnbor]

Yeah I see what your saying but I see to big problems doing it that way. The file structure is not the same , its dropped down so many items would need to be relinked in tasks and many of the apps have a red triangle in them and greyed out..

 

[Rusty]

Yeah I see what your saying but I see to big problems doing it that way. The file structure is not the same , its dropped down so many items would need to be relinked in tasks and many of the apps have a red triangle in them and greyed out..

What do the triangles say? What method of backup did you select in the 1st step?

 

[johnbor]

Incompatible versions , so it looks like I will have to just reconfigure the apps again.
I all so had a problem transferring my surveillance station camera licenses well at least one of them would not transfer and the setting have to be reapplied again.

I would of thought once I reapplied the DSM config file it would of set the apps back but no