Hey everyone! I'm a new SysAdmin working in a Casino Surveillance department, and I'm in a bit of a bind. We have a super old server running Windows Server 2008 R2 that's failing, and it's holding about 5.6 TiB of crucial video archive data. I'm trying to safely transfer this data to a new TrueNAS Scale box that I'm setting up. Both servers are in the same rack and using 1000baset-T connections, but the network is closed with no internet access due to regulations. Unfortunately, there's no backup or replication in place, which I know is a huge oversight. What's the most reliable way to get this data transferred without losing anything? I'm considering mounting a TrueNAS datastore as a network drive, but I'm worried about the Windows file transfer failing mid-transfer because the directory structure must remain intact for database purposes. I know this will take a long time, but I want to minimize any risks. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
4 Answers
You might also want to consider using Rsync if you can pull files from the old server. It can efficiently handle large data transfers and has great recovery options. Plus, it puts less strain on the old hardware, which is critical since it's failing. Just ensure you check compatibility first!
If you can, I'd recommend just connecting the two machines directly with a Cat6 cable and using Robocopy over that. Given that you're dealing with a closed network, this might save you time and avoid traffic issues. Even a simple copy might work overnight since it's only 12-24 hours over GigE. Start it now and let it run!
Totally agree! A direct connection should simplify things a lot. Plus, you can always do a couple of test runs first to ensure the transfer behaves as expected.
Robocopy is your best friend here. I'd suggest breaking the transfer into smaller chunks if needed. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with its switch options for optimal performance. Just make sure you start the transfer as soon as possible to avoid any unexpected failures with the old server.
Exactly what I was thinking! I've done 350TiB transfers with Robocopy, and it’s solid. Just remember to monitor the logs closely!
Definitely go with Robocopy! It's super robust and can handle large data transfers reliably. It supports features like multithreading and logging, so you can resume if something goes wrong. Just be aware that small files can slow things down due to overhead. Make sure to set it up correctly to avoid stress on the old server since it’s on its last legs. Good luck with it!
For real! I've moved tons of data with Robocopy, and it works like a charm. Definitely worth your time to learn all its options.
Good point! Rsync is great, but make sure you have access to the right setup to use it.