TrueNAS Core 13.3 Released: Upgrade Or Move To TrueNAS Scale?

Summary

In August 2024, TrueNAS CORE 13.3 was released as a patch for community users seeking FreeBSD 13.3 jails, BeHive, OpenZFS, and Samba fixes. However, it won't update automatically, and the current 13.0 version will continue to receive security and hot fixes. For those without legacy encrypted pools, upgrading to TrueNAS SCALE, especially with the upcoming Docker-supported Electric Eel release, is recommended. The shift to Linux in SCALE was due to Docker's popularity and developer support, signaling a move away from FreeBSD jails. The video discusses the state of development, the benefits of SCALE, and encourages viewers to share their thoughts on the forum.

Takeaways

• 💡 TrueNAS Core 13.3 has been released but must be installed manually; it won't automatically appear in updates.
• 🔄 13.3 is primarily for community users looking for fixes related to FreeBSD 13.3 jails, Bhyve, OpenZFS, and Samba.
• 🛠️ TrueNAS Core 13.0 U62 will continue to be supported with security and bug fixes.
• 📈 Users have the option to upgrade to TrueNAS Scale 'Dragonfish,' especially if they don't use legacy encrypted pools.
• 🗓️ The next release, 'Electric Eel' (version 24.10), is expected around the end of October 2024.
• 🐳 Electric Eel will focus on Docker support and remove Kubernetes dependencies, making it more streamlined.
• 👍 Upgrading isn't mandatory if your system is running smoothly; if it isn’t broken, there’s no rush to fix it.
• 🔧 Many businesses opt to upgrade during hardware refreshes, replacing older TrueNAS Core systems with TrueNAS Scale.
• 🧑‍💻 The transition from FreeBSD to Linux-based Scale was driven by developer shortages and better Docker support.
• 📉 The open-source community faces a developer shortage, making it difficult to maintain separate FreeBSD and Linux projects for TrueNAS.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the August 2024 announcement regarding TrueNAS Core 13.3?

The announcement focuses on the release of TrueNAS Core 13.3, which is primarily for community users looking for incremental fixes related to FreeBSD 13.3 jails, bhyve, OpenZFS, and Samba.

Why is the TrueNAS Core 13.3 update not automatically available?

TrueNAS Core 13.3 is not available as an automatic update. Users must manually install it because the system will not update beyond version 13.0, which is still supported with security fixes and bug resolutions.

What are the key factors to consider before upgrading to TrueNAS Scale or Dragonfish?

Users should consider upgrading to TrueNAS Scale or Dragonfish if they do not have legacy encrypted pools and are looking for more modern features. Staying with the current version is fine if the system is stable and there is no need for new features.

When is TrueNAS Electric Eel expected to be released?

TrueNAS Electric Eel, version 24.10, is expected to be released at the end of October 2024, though it may occasionally be delayed into November if there are outstanding bugs.

What is one of the major changes in TrueNAS Electric Eel?

One major change in TrueNAS Electric Eel is the shift to full Docker support, eliminating the need for Kubernetes for container management.

Why is Docker considered a better choice than FreeBSD jails for containerization?

Docker is considered a better choice due to its wider popularity, larger application ecosystem, and stronger developer support compared to FreeBSD jails. Docker also has more extensive documentation and community backing.

What challenge does the open-source community face that impacts TrueNAS development?

The open-source community faces a shortage of developers, which hinders the ability to continue developing both FreeBSD-based TrueNAS Core and Linux-based TrueNAS Scale at the same pace.

How does iXsystems fund the development of TrueNAS?

iXsystems funds TrueNAS development through hardware sales. The company offers the software for free but relies on hardware sales to support ongoing development and improvements.

What has been a major issue with Kubernetes in TrueNAS Scale, and how is this being addressed?

A major issue with Kubernetes in TrueNAS Scale has been breakage during updates, causing applications to malfunction. This is being addressed by moving to Docker, which is simpler and better documented, reducing the risk of such issues.

Is it necessary to upgrade from TrueNAS Core 13.0 if the system is stable?

No, it is not necessary to upgrade from TrueNAS Core 13.0 if the system is stable and meets the user’s needs. However, users will miss out on new features, and upgrading may be more appropriate during a hardware refresh.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Tranquil Core 13.3 Release and Upgrading to Dragonfish

In August 2024, the Tranquil Core 13.3 release is available as a patch for those seeking specific fixes related to FreeBSD 13.3 jails, Behive, OpenZFS, and Samba. It's not an automatic update and is aimed at community users. The current version 13.0 u62 will continue to receive security and hot fixes. For those without legacy encrypted pools, it might be time to upgrade to Dragonfish, especially with the upcoming release of Electric Eel (24.10), which will be fully Docker-supported and is expected in late October 2024. The speaker has done beta testing and is excited about the new features. However, if users are content with their current system, there's no immediate need to upgrade as 13.0 is still supported. The speaker also discusses the shift from FreeBSD jails to Docker containers due to the latter's popularity and developer support, which has influenced the development direction of the project.

05:02

💬 Docker Integration and Community Feedback

The speaker expresses a personal dislike for the previous Kubernetes updates in Dragonfish, which caused breakages. They believe the move to Docker will resolve these issues due to Docker's popularity and better documentation. The speaker invites viewers to share their thoughts on the channel and subscribe for more content. They also mention the forum on their website for more in-depth discussions. The video concludes with a musical note.

Keywords

💡Tras Core 13.3

Tras Core 13.3 refers to a specific version of the TrueNAS operating system, which is an open-source storage operating system based on FreeBSD. In the video, it is mentioned that this version is released as a patch and is not automatically updated, indicating that users need to manually install it to get the incremental fixes and improvements it offers.

💡FreeBSD 13.3 jails

FreeBSD jails are a feature of the FreeBSD operating system that allows for the creation of isolated environments within the same system. The script mentions that Tras Core 13.3 is intended for community users looking for fixes specific to FreeBSD 13.3 jails, suggesting that this version includes improvements or bug fixes related to this feature.

💡OpenZFS

OpenZFS is an open-source file system that provides features like data integrity, scalability, and performance. The script highlights that Tras Core 13.3 includes fixes specific to OpenZFS, indicating that users who rely on this file system for their storage needs might benefit from updating to this version.

💡Samba

Samba is a software suite that allows file and print services to Windows-based clients to be integrated into a Unix server environment. The script mentions Samba as one of the areas where Tras Core 13.3 provides incremental fixes, suggesting that users who use Samba for sharing files and printers might find value in this update.

💡TrueNAS SCALE

TrueNAS SCALE is a software-defined storage platform that is part of the iX Systems product line. The video discusses the possibility of upgrading to TrueNAS SCALE, especially for those without legacy encrypted pools, indicating that it might be a more modern and feature-rich option compared to Tras Core.

💡Electric Eel

Electric Eel is a codename for a future version of TrueNAS SCALE, scheduled for release in October 2024. The script suggests that this version will be fully Docker supported, which means it will likely offer a more streamlined and popular containerization platform compared to the current Kubernetes-based system.

💡Docker

Docker is a platform that allows developers to package applications with all of their dependencies into a 'container' that can run on any Linux server. The script mentions that Electric Eel will be the first version of TrueNAS SCALE to fully support Docker, indicating a shift towards a more widely adopted containerization technology.

💡Kubernetes

Kubernetes is an open-source platform designed to automate deploying, scaling, and operating application containers. The script discusses the challenges and breakages that have occurred with Kubernetes updates in TrueNAS SCALE, suggesting that the move to Docker in Electric Eel aims to simplify and stabilize the container management process.

💡iX Systems

iX Systems is a business that sells hardware and is a partner with TrueNAS. The script explains that the sales of iX Systems hardware fund the development of TrueNAS, highlighting the relationship between the commercial aspect of the company and the open-source nature of the software.

💡Hardware Refresh

A hardware refresh refers to the process of upgrading or replacing the physical components of a system. The script suggests that when a hardware refresh occurs, it might be a good time to consider upgrading from Tras Core to TrueNAS SCALE, especially for businesses that have previously invested in TrueNAS systems.

💡Open Source Community

The open source community refers to the collective of individuals and organizations that contribute to and support open-source projects. The script touches on the challenges faced by the open source community, particularly the lack of developers, which affects the pace and direction of development for projects like TrueNAS.

Highlights

Trass Core 13.3 has been released, but it must be loaded manually as a patch and will not show up automatically.

The 13.3 release is specifically for FreeBSD users who need incremental fixes, focusing on FreeBSD 13.3 jails, behive, OpenZFS, and Samba.

Trass Core 13.0 will continue to receive security updates, bug fixes, and hot fixes for the foreseeable future.

Users must manually upgrade to Trass Core Dragonfish if they want to switch from 13.0, especially if they don't have legacy encrypted pools.

Trass Core Electric Eel (version 24.10) is slated for release in October 2024, with full Docker support.

Electric Eel will be the first version without the extra Kubernetes requirements, streamlining Docker container support.

The beta testing of Electric Eel has shown promising results with a more stable and efficient platform.

There is no pressing need to upgrade to Dragonfish if your current system on 13.0 is stable and meeting your needs.

Hardware refreshes are a good time to upgrade to newer versions of Trass Core, such as Dragonfish or Electric Eel.

FreeBSD jails have lost the popularity contest to Docker containers due to broader developer support for Docker.

Moving from FreeBSD to Linux, which occurred with Trass Scale, was difficult initially but has improved significantly by 2024.

IX Systems focuses on hardware sales, which fund the development of Trass software, both Core and Scale.

There is a shortage of open-source developers, and forking Trass Core would not magically resolve this issue.

Docker's popularity and extensive documentation make it a simpler, more reliable containerization platform than Kubernetes.

Despite challenges, Trass Scale has become a stable and reliable product, especially with Docker replacing Kubernetes.

Transcripts

it is August of 2024 and tras core 13.3

has been essentially released but you

have to load it as a patch is not going

to show up automatically but is it time

to update or is it time to move let's

talk about your options and let's get

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let's get you back to the content that

you came here for now here's the August

20124 announcement for trass core

13.3 but this isn't for everyone the 133

release is intended solely for Community

users looking for incremental fixes

specific to FreeBSD 13.3 jails behive

open ZFS and Samba if we go down here

and we notice that the 13.0 u62 which is

current it is going to be supported with

security fixes and hot fixes and

resolutions for any newly discovered

major bugs which means if I go over here

to my trass core system and I hit check

for

updates it's not going to want to

automatically update it stopped right

here at 13.0 and doesn't have an option

for 133 you can install it as a manual

update or you could upgrade to traskal

Dragonfish and that's what I want to

talk about is it time to upgrade to

Dragonfish and if you don't have Legacy

encrypted pools it's probably time to

upgrade if not now soon when electric

eel comes out now the reason I said

electric eel is cu that'll be version

24.10 targeted to release at the end of

October 2024 I usually say the end

because I've never seen them release it

too much earlier before the end on a

Target and maybe once while they'll

slide into November if there's some bugs

are still fixing but either way I have

done some beta testing with the electric

eel and it's really nice electric heel

is the first version it's going to be

all Docker supported and they're not

going to need all the extra kubernetes

things on the back end of it so I think

that's definitely a good path forward

that being said do you have to upgrade

well as I noted it's still supported and

if you're happy with the system as it is

it ain't broke don't fix it I think

that's perfectly fine but you are not

getting any more feature updates and

maybe when you wait for a hardware

refresh it's time to replace and that's

mostly what we're doing for our business

clients cuz we we've sold a lot of core

systems to a lot of businesses and when

the hardware refresh comes up we will

then go ahead and replace them with

scale we've already sold scale systems

to newer clients because that's the best

option today if you're getting a new Nas

and putting it together with true nass I

want to talk a little bit about what's

happening on the back end and why

because I've seen a lot of people have a

lot of controversy or confusion around

it and it's just comes down to a lack of

development in the bstd community uh

jails have been around a long time I

think they're awesome they're amazing

aming and if you want to call it a

popularity contest between FreeBSD jails

and Docker containers and that

containerization platform I'm going to

say Dockers really want there are way

way more applications way more

developers supporting those applications

and it's not trivial BSD cannot just be

bolted on with Docker it's a kernel

level implementation that's why they

made the move to Linux that move was

particularly painful in the beginning uh

all the way in 2021 when the beta's

released and it's gotten substantially

better here in 202 before they're

putting all their effort to it them

being ax systems and uh I think it's a

good thing I seen people suggesting they

fork in start their own version of tras

core and there's nothing really stopping

it from doing that other than forking it

doesn't magically make a bunch of

developers fall from the sky and start

writing code the reality is we have kind

of a deficit here in the open source

Community as a whole where we don't have

enough developers and you know as much

as uh he was not a big fan of Linux he

was right when Steve Balmer yelled

Developers developers developers we need

them that's what's going to keep the

project moving forward I ex systems is a

business who sells Hardware we are a

partner with I ex systems that Hardware

funds the development of Trance that

they completely give away and uh I don't

think there's enough funds in the

buckets to keep putting all the features

into the FreeBSD trass core bucket and

the trass scale Linux bucket so that's

kind of how I feel where the status is

today but it's not bad I really think

that they've made a stable product I'm

really happy where trass scale is today

I'm really excited about electric yel

because I was never a fan of the way

they did it I've talked about the

breakage that has occurred many times

with some of the kubernetes updates

between versions or just when

applications went arai inside of scale

once they move to Docker I think this is

going to be a pretty solved problem

because Docker is much more well

documented much more popular you don't

have the extra complexities that come

with kubernetes but what do you think

leave your thoughts and comments down

below like And subscribe to see more

content from the channel have a more

engaging discussion on this other topic

sett to my forum forums. systems.com and

uh I'll see you over there thanks

[Music]