Upgrading FreeNAS from version 9.x to 11.x can be a challenging task, especially for those who are new to this process. Fortunately, with the right guidance, it can be accomplished using the web console. In this article, we will walk through the steps to upgrade FreeNAS 9.x to 11.x using the web console. Before starting the upgrade process, it’s essential to have a backup of your data to avoid potential losses in case of issues during the upgrade. As stated in the official FreeNAS documentation, taking a backup of your data before starting the upgrade process is highly recommended.

Prerequisites

Before starting the upgrade process, make sure the following requirements are met:

• Backup of your data is created
• System is configured to use a static IP address or DHCP with a static IP reservation
• Another computer is available for restoring in case of an emergency
• System has enough free space to accommodate the new version

Upgrade Process

To begin the upgrade process, navigate to your FreeNAS web console in a web browser of your choice. Log in with your credentials and continue as follows:

1. Click on the “System” tab in the top navigation bar and select “Advanced” in the drop-down menu.
2. “System Updates” will be displayed with options to check for updates.
3. Select “Check Now” and wait for the system to check for updates.
4. If an update is found, select “Install” to apply the update. This will guide you to install the latest updates via the Update Manager.
5. Once you click “Install”, the system will obtain the new operating system image from the repository. Please note this may take some time based on your system configuration.

Upon updating to the latest System Update available in FreeNAS 9, FreeNAS can be upgraded from version 9 to 11 by using the command line interface. To do so, SSH into your FreeNAS system or access it from the console directly. Enter the following command:

Wait patiently as the upgrade runs on your system, which should update to FreeNAS 11. When prompted by the system if you want to save the config file, select “y” to overwrite, and the prompt will disappear with “Saving installed configuration changes to /etc/installed.conf”.

Upgrade to the Current Version of FreeNAS

The upgrade from FreeNAS 11 on is accomplished with the web console. Proceed with normal system updates as outlined below:

1. When the “Check Now” option under System>Update>Update has been selected, verify if there are any updates in the update manager, and select the option for the most recent package as shown in the menu.
2. Before going for the update of FreeNAS, updating all necessary plugins to version 11.3 (also shown as “11.3-U1”) from the “Plugins” section under the System Update window within the update manager is highly advisable.

Downgrade and Restoration

Unfortunately, as stated in the official documentation, FreeNAS does not offer any direct downgrade. If the upgrade results are unsatisfactory, then taking an alternative backup path before the installation may provide recovery prospects for unsatisfying results of versions following updates, if so desired.

Individuals or businesses that require ongoing IT support may also consider seeking IT consulting services. Companies such as PersonIT are experienced and knowledgeable in the IT industry, providing options for support. We recommend reaching out to experts if more information is required or assistance with services like IT consulting, network infrastructure implementation, IT maintenance, network security services, or related services is needed.

A successful FreeNAS migration from 9.x to 11 requires adherence to all upgrade information presented, and it is essential in ensuring a smooth FreeNAS migration process without harming operations for users in any circumstances.