How do I update the Container Station storage space driver to support high availability (HA) on QuTS hero?

Last modified date: 2025-05-26

Applicable products

Container Station
QuTS Hero h5.3.0

Overview

Starting with QuTS Hero h5.3.0 and Container Station 3.1.0, the storage space format used for container data has been improved to support high availability (HA).

To fully support HA, you need to convert the storage space format to ensure compatibility with HA features.

Important

To enable high availability in Container Station, you must install Container Station version 3.1.0 or later. The process automatically checks for HA compatibility and guides you through the necessary adjustments if your storage space format is not compatible.

Note

If your current storage space format does not support HA, a warning will appear on the High Availability tab in the Preferences page.

Do I need to convert the storage format before enabling high availability?

If you set up a high availability (HA) pair without first converting the storage space format in Container Station to one compatible with HA, the system will continue using the original, non-HA-compatible format. This will remain in effect until a role switch occurs, either a switchover or a takeover. Once the role switch takes place, Container Station automatically creates a new storage volume in the HA-compatible format. This new format will be used moving forward and cannot be reverted unless Container Station is removed.

Important

The original data stored in the non-HA-compatible format will not be synchronized to the HA pair. If you need to access this data, follow the steps below carefully.

How can I recover data from a non-HA-compatible format?

To retrieve data stored in the non-HA-compatible storage format, please following the below steps:

Access the original device where the non-HA-compatible data was stored.
Ensure you are logging in to the NAS unit that originally hosted the Container Station data before the HA-compatible volume was created.
Uninstall Container Station from the device.
Reinstall Container Station.
Important
During installation, when prompted to select a directory, choose the one that contains your original data. Do not select an empty folder, as this will cause the system to create a new HA-compatible volume and your original data will not be detected.
Start Container Station.
A dialog will appear asking whether you want to load HA-compatible or non-HA-compatible data.
Select the Use a non-HA-compatible data option and click Confirm.

Changing the storage space format in Container Station

Prerequisites

Stop all containers and applications in Container Station.
Create backups or exports of all container data.
Remove existing images and containers after backup.
Refer to Docker documentation for guidance on Compose-related backups and restorations.

Note

During this process, container data may need to be restructured or re-imported. Creating backups ensures no data is lost. For details, see How to back up and restore containers in Container Station.

Procedure

Open Container Station.
Locate the Support QuTS hero High Availability notification in the top-right corner.
Note
Alternatively, you can go to Preferences > QuTS High Availability to begin the storage space format conversion process.
Click Support QuTS hero High Availability.
In the pop-up window, click Convert Format.
Click Start in the next window.
Confirm you have backed up your data by checking the box.
Click Next to proceed.
Wait for the process to complete, then click Finish.