Upgrading version and changing UFS for ZFS

[Samlink]

Hi all, I want to upgrade from 2.6.0 to 2.7.0. In addition, I want to transtion from UFS to ZFS. What are the steps you recommend for both upgrades?
I thought on doing a backup of my actual config on 2.6.0, reinstall from scratch the 2.7.0 in zfs and restoring the previous backup.

What are your suggestions?

[bmeeks]

The process you proposed should work just fine:

1. Take a backup of your 2.6.0 configuration and save it. Make sure you also save it somewhere offline as well just in case.
2. Obtain the 2.7.0 CE install image and perform a clean install using ZFS.
3. Restore your saved configuration and let it reboot.

pfSense should be able to find your existing saved configuration during the reinstall. Details on that can be found in the docs here: https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/backup/restore-during-install.html.

But just in case that does not work, you can complete the reinstall and then manually import your previously saved configuration. That's why I said to be sure you save it somewhere else besides only on the firewall.

[A Former User]

Beware starting from a 2.8.0 development image instead of 2.7.0 CE release results in a boot error.

Starting with a 2.8.0 installation with UFS, I changed it from UFS to ZFS using a working UFS configuration with the goal of switching to pfSense plus. No issues installing the 2.8.0 image with ZFS and confirmed that ZFS was actually installed. The 2.8.0 installation offered to upgrade to 23.05, which appeared to upgrade without errors. On reboot, the boot hung with:

"Mounting from zfs:pfSense/ROOT/default failed with error 45" and was stuck at a "mountroot>" prompt. Searching the web I could not find any inputs that would allow me to complete the upgrade.

Using the same process using the 2.7.0 CE release version with ZFS allowed me to switch to 23.05 ZFS then upgrade to 23.09.

[jimp]

2.8.0 would have a newer version of ZFS than 23.05.1, so that's not unexpected. It's essentially an OS downgrade.

You could go 2.8.0 -> 23.09 when we make that available.

But for now, start with 2.7.0 if you have to install CE first.

[A Former User]

@jimp Thanks for the response. Just sharing my experience with 2.8.0 ZFS and the offer to upgrade to 23.05.