Converting an existing installation to ZFS

B

balanga

I really don't have much experience with ZFS, but would like to know about it.

Is it possible to convert an existing FreeBSD installation to ZFS?

I realise I can't do this in situ.
 
You have to realize that all teh files already in your system, including all the system files that make up an "installation," exist already on a given file system. Changing the file system in situ would probably mean creating zfs partitions, transfering files from old partition to new, deleting old partition, and so on. I can't imagine this wouldn't be almost guaranteed to break everything.

Instead, if you are able, it might be advisable to create a backup of all your personal and configuration files, ideally in a device formatted for zfs, and then perform a clean zfs-on-root install on your system.
 
Well, which partition? What is it called and what is stored in it? And what device is it on?

I have a usb stick that is formatted for zfs. On any machine that has zfs installed (not necessarily zfs-on-root, just zfs) I can mount and unmount it. It takes a few more steps than other file types, like ExFAT or EXT4, but it is supremely versatile and I find it immensely useful. It feels like I turned that usb into a hard drive.
 
balanga said:
Can I mount the ZFS partition from a different machine?
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AFAIK, you don't mount ZFS partitions, you export/import pools.
But you should know what you are doing. Be aware that zpool create pool command will wipe all information forever. I know that (believe me!).
At least, once you know what you are doing, zpool export/import makes everything easier.
 
balanga said:
Can I mount the ZFS partition from a different machine?
Click to expand...
Yes and no.

You can not use it simultaneously from two machines (not even two VMs). You can export it and import it from a different machine.

If the two machines are different OSes, or different OS versions, you need to make sure you only enable those ZFS features that are in the common subset of features supported by the two systems.
 
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