Get a Quote     (408) 943-4100               TrueNAS Discord      VendOp_Icon_15x15px   Commercial Support Toggle between Light and Dark mode
TrueNAS.com Software Systems Company Community Security iX Portal Download

  1. Documentation Hub
  2. /
  3. TrueNAS CORE and Enterprise
  4. /
  5. Configuration Tutorials
  6. /
  7. Storage
  8. /
  9. Pools
  10. /
  11. Importing Pools
Edit this page

Importing Pools

  3 minute read.

Last Modified 2022-09-27 14:14 -0400
This procedure only applies to disks with a ZFS storage pool. To import disks with different file systems, see Import Disk.

ZFS pool importing works for pools that were exported or disconnected from the current system, created on another system, and pools to reconnect after reinstalling or upgrading the TrueNAS system. To import a pool, go to Storage > Pools > ADD.

When physically installing ZFS pool disks from another system, use the command zpool export poolname in the command line or a web interface equivalent to export the pool on that system. Shut that system down and move the drives to the TrueNAS system. Shutting down the original system prevents an in use by another machine error during the TrueNAS import.

There are two kinds of pool imports, standard ZFS pool imports and ZFS pools with legacy GELI encryption.

Pool Import Options

Standard ZFS Pools

Select Import Existing Pool and click NEXT.

StoragePoolsAddImport

The wizard asks if the pool has legacy GELI encryption.

StoragePoolsAddImportNoGELI

Select No, continue with import and click NEXT.

TrueNAS detects any pools that are present but unconnected.

StoragePoolsAddImportZFSPool

Choose the ZFS pool to import and click NEXT.

Review the Pool Import Summary and click IMPORT.

StoragePoolsAddImportZFSPoolSummary

Encrypted GELI Pools

Importing a GELI-encrypted pool requires using the encryption key file and passphrase to decrypt the pool before importing. When a pool cannot be decrypted, it cannot be re-imported after a failed upgrade or lost configuration, and the data is irretrievable! Always have a copy of the pool GELI key file and passphrase available.

Select Import Existing Pool and click NEXT.

StoragePoolsAddImport

The wizard asks if the pool has legacy GELI encryption. Select Yes, decrypt the disks and review the decryption options.

StoragePoolsAddImportGELIPresentDecrypt

Make sure the Disks selection shows the encrypted disks and partitions that are part of the incoming pool. Apply the GELI encryption key file by clicking Choose File and uploading the file from your local system.

StoragePoolsAddImportGELIPresentDecryptKeyFile

When a passphrase is also present, enter it in Passphrase. Click Next and wait for the disks to decrypt.

When the disks are decrypted, select the GELI pool to import.

StoragePoolsAddImportGELIPresentDecryptPool

Review the Pool Import Summary and click IMPORT.

StoragePoolsAddImportGELIPresentDecryptPoolSummary

GELI encrypted pools show in Storage > Pools as (Legacy Encryption).

StoragePoolsLegacyGELI

Back Up the Pool Key

For security reasons, encrypted pool keys do not save to a configuration backup file. When TrueNAS is installed to a new device and restored with a saved configuration file, keys for encrypted disks are not present and the system does not request them.

To correct this, export the encrypted pool in Storage > Pools with > Export/Disconnect.

Do not select Destroy data on this pool?.

Now import the pool again. During the import, add the encryption keys as described previously.

Related Storage Articles