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Controller Firmware:

Download latest firmware (v 5.60. released 11/20/07)
Please note: this firmware encompasses the new daylight savings time adjustment for 2008.

View latest firmware release notes

Application Software:

NAStart (v3.21)
Windows based GUI software to allow control of DataNAS and basic administration.

Product Documentation:

Download Quick Start Guide

Download product manual (v5.10 released 02/11/05)

Frequently Asked Questions: Choose a FAQ from the list below

Factory Reset Controller to Default values
Reset Administration Password
What is the System Profile and why does it need to be backed up?
Upgrading Firmware
Providing Server Reports
Understanding File Permissions
NAS-to-NAS file replication with included SmartSync
Windows Domain Authentication for the NAS
Adding a Gigabit Ethernet adaptor to DataNAS
Registering DataNAS to a Windows Domain

Factory Reset Controller to Default values

PLEASE NOTE that the instructions for DataNAS Director is different than those below for DataNAS XP, DataNAS and DataNAS LE.

In the event you are unable to reach the DataNAS web interface and/or you have been locked out or are unable to configure DataNAS from the LCD bezel, you can factory reset the unit back to defaults.

NOTE: This will not delete your data, however you will need to recreate your shares and any security settings for your data.

1. Shutdown the DataNAS server (power it off).

2. Open the chassis and locate the DataNAS system controller.

3. Near the front of the DataNAS controller, directly behind the bezel and opposite the CPU, you will find a CMOS battery and a jumper labelled JP1. The normal position for JP1 is 1-2 short.

4. Remove the jumper from JP1 from the default position of 1-2 short and move it to 2-3 short. Wait 60 seconds.

5. The DataNAS controller will now clear the stored values.

6. Move the jumper on JP1 back to the default position of 1-2 short.

7. Close the chassis and power the system back on. The DataNAS is now reset to factory default. Please note: DataNAS will not pull a DHCP IP address in this state, you will need to use the LCD control panel to configure the IP address to access the web interface.

Reset Administration Password

The administrator password can be easily changed via the web GUI interface by logging in as 'admin', and then selecting the 'Change Password' button at the top right of the page.

In the event you have lost your old password and cannot login, you can perform the following procedure to forcibly reset the administration account password:

1. Shutdown the DataNAS server (power it off).

2. Open the chassis and locate the DataNAS system controller.

3. Near the rear of the DataNAS system controller, to the right of the ATX power connector there are 3 DIP switches.

4. Flip the DIP switch panel to 1: on and 2: on.

5. Power the DataNAS on and wait until the LCD panel shows 'Clear Password'. Power the server back off.

6. Flip the DIP switch back to 1: off and 2: off.

7. Close the chassis and power the system back on. The password is now cleared and you can login as admin with no password and then change the password manually.

What is the System Profile and why does it need to be backed up?

The System Profile contains such vital information as:

1. User Account information (Domain and Local accounts, as well as quota settings).

2. NAS IP address/network configuration.

3. Domain/Workgroup Information.

4. Network Shares, Share permissions, and ACL configurations.

5. Tape backup information.

6. SmartSync points & tasks (if applicable).

7. SmartExtend Initiator information (if applicable).

This information is not saved when the data on the volume is backed up, and cannot be backed up by any other method. Backing up the System Profile does not backup any of the data on the volume. For security reasons, the System Profile does NOT contain the Admin password or the Domain registration password. Also, for SmartExtend Target units, the System Profile MUST be downloaded, and cannot be stored on the SmartExtend Target.

For more information and procedures, please review this pdf document.

Upgrading Firmware

How do I upgrade the firmware on my DataNAS?

1. Launch a web browser and type the URL in for your DataNAS(the name or IP address of the server).

2. Logon as the 'admin' user account with the appropriate password.

3. Go to the Server Settings page, then select 'Upgrade' for firmware upgrade.

4. Provide the location of the firmware binary file by hitting 'Browse', and hit apply. The DataNAS will then begin the firmware upgrade and automatically reflash and reboot itself. Note: this may take up to 5 minutes.

Providing Server Reports

How do I provide Tech Support with my server information?

Technical Support may ask that you provide them with your server reports information and event logs. In that case, please follow these instructions:

1. Browse to the DataNAS web interface and authenticate as the admin user. Click the 'Admin homepage' icon at the top of the page.

2. Click the 'Server Settings' option icon , then the 'Maintenance' submenu tab.

3. Under the 'Save the Following file in the system folder' click the 'all.html' hyperlink to preview the server report. Once the page has loaded do a 'file > save as > .html' and save the file.

4. Please attach this file to your trouble ticket. If this file exceeds 4MB, please compress the file, and attach it to your trouble ticket e-mail. If you do not have a trouble ticket open, you can create one by using the 'contact support' link at the top of the support page.

Understanding File Permissions

How do the Windows NTFS regular and advance file permissions translate/convert on DataNAS? And how do the Inherited and Privileged rights interact with each other?

DataNAS features the ability to set security for the share, folder, or file directly within the administration web interface, or for the folder/file natively from Windows using the Windows Explorer Security dialog box (right-click, security tab). You have the option to also allow inherited rights, meaning that a folder or file inherits the rights assigned to its parent folder.

For inherited rights, DataNAS performs a basic boolean OR operation, and whichever value is greater is true. For RO, RW, WO or FC rights, security = inherited OR privileged. The exception is for NA rights; when NA rights are set on privileged, it always overwrites any inherited rights.

Examples:

#1: Inherited RO, privileged RW: final rights would be RW because RW is greater than RO.

#2: Inherited RW, privileged RO: final rights would be RW, because RW is greater than RO.

#3: Inherited NA, privileged RW: final rights would be RW because RW is greater than NA.

#4: Inherited FC, privileged NA: the final rights would be NA, because NA is the exception.

Click here to download the overview of the setting user permission (pdf)

Note: Do not use the Windows Explorer (right-click; security tab) NTFS permission "Deny", as it will result in setting Deny All (No Access) on DataNAS for that user/group.

NAS-to-NAS file replication with included SmartSync

What functionality does the free built-in SmartSync software provide for data replication?

DataNAS features SmartSync, which allows you to synchronize data stored on one DataNAS to another DataNAS, or even to multiple DataNAS Filers.

There is always a "master" DataNAS 'SmartSync Point' which is where the source files are stored. Then there is at least one "slave" DataNAS 'SmartSync Point' which is where the destination files are stored.

The "master" and "slave" can be one single DataNAS, which would be useful if you want to replicate data from one share to another 'backup' share on the same NAS.

Most uses will be to replicate data to a separate DataNAS. Any DataNAS which is reachable on your network (private, public, internet/intranet, etc) is a candidate for SmartSync sychronization.

You can setup multiple SmartSync tasks and multiple SmartSync Points, and run them on a scheduled basis, automatically without intervention on your behalf.

The data is always "mirrored", so when a source file is deleted and the SmartSync task runs next, the destination DataNAS will be instructed to delete that file it has on its drive as well.

SmartSync communications are securely transmitted using SSL encryption. You can optionally compress the traffic, limit the bandwidth usage (in KB/sec), enable or disable file security permissions to be retained on the destination, and even setup a filter of include and exclude wildcard filenames.

Explanation of Quick Sync feature:
When Quick Sync is turned off

1. A source file list will be sent from master to destination.

2. Destination will rely on the source file list to auto-delete any files no longer on master, but still on destination.

3. According to the file list, destination will perform CRC generation (chunk by chunk) and send it to client. If the file does not exist, it will be sent from master to destination.
--> a. 32-bit CRC in combination with 128-bit MD4.
--> b. Chunk size is hard-coded 700 bytes.

4. Master will also perform CRC generation (chunk by chunk) and compare it with the one sent by destination.
--> a. 32-bit CRC in combination with 128-bit MD4.
--> b. Chunk size is hard-coded 700 bytes.

5. If the chunk CRC is different, master will send the chunk data to destination for modification.

When Quick Sync is turned on:

1. A source file list will be sent from master to destination.

2. Destination will rely on the source file list to auto-delete any files no longer on master, but still on destination.

3. According to the file list, destination will perform time stamp and send it to client. If the file does not exist, it will be sent from master to destination.
--> a. Exact date/time stamp of file.

4. Master will also perform time stamp and compare it with the one sent by destination.
--> a. Exact date/time stamp of file.

5. If the time stamp is different:
a. Destination will perform CRC generation (chunk by chunk) and send it to client.
--> - i. 32-bit CRC in combination with 128-bit MD4.
--> - ii. Chunk size is hard-coded 700 bytes.
b. Master will also perform CRC generation (chunk by chunk) and compare it with the one sent by destination.
--> - i. 32-bit CRC in combination with 128-bit MD4.
--> - ii. Chunk size is hard-coded 700 bytes. -->
c. If the chunk CRC is different, master will send the chunk data to destination for modification.

An illustrated overview of the SmartSync process is available for download in PDF format.

Windows Domain Authentication for the NAS

By default, DataNAS uses pass-through authentication when verifying user security credentials against a Windows Domain Controller. Alternatively, you can Register the DataNAS to the domain from within the Network/Windows administration GUI, which will enable DataNAS to use Netlogon authentication.

During the Registration process, DataNAS creates a domain machine account for itself with a randomly generated password. This machine account allows more efficient user credential verification to occur.

DataNAS will remain Registered with the Domain until you change the domain name from within the DataNAS administration interface, or switch from Domain to Workgroup mode.

In the event the DataNAS machine account entry is deleted or disabled on the Domain Controller, DataNAS will no longer be able to properly authenticate user requests. If this occurs, you will need to re-register DataNAS to the domain.

Adding a Gigabit Ethernet adaptor to DataNAS>

Some DataNAS Filers do not include Gigabit Ethernet by default, so if you wish to add Gigabit connectivity you will need to purchase a Gigabit Ethernet upgrade kit from Excel/Meridian Data.

Please review the PDF document below for instructions on installing the Gigabit Ethernet adapter into your DataNAS Filer solution.

Gigabit Ethernet Installation instructions (PDF Format)

Registering DataNAS to a Windows Domain

How do I register the NAS to Windows Domain or set it for Workgroup mode?

How to join to a Workgroup:

1. Click on the Network Settings button from the Administrator's Main Page.

2. Click on the Windows button in the sub-menu.

3. Ensure that the 'Enable Windows Network' box at the top of the page is checked.

4. Fill in or modify the Workgroup/Domain Name (NetBIOS) field with the appropriate name. (ex: 'workgroup').

5. Select Workgroup Mode.

6. Click Apply.

How to join and Register the NAS to a Windows Domain:

Step 1 - Join the Domain

1. Click on the Network Settings button from the Administrator's Main Page.

2. Click on the Windows button in the sub-menu.

3. Ensure that the 'Enable Windows Network' box at the top of the page is checked.

4. Fill in or modify the Workgroup/Domain Name (NetBIOS) field with the appropriate name. (ex: 'workgroup').

5. Select Domain Mode.

6. Click Apply.

7. Reboot the machine.

Step 2 - Register to a Domain

1. Click on the Network Settings button from the Administrator's Main Page.

2. Click on the Windows button in the sub-menu.

3. Ensure that the Domain Mode button is selected.

4. Click the 'Register' button.

5. Ensure that the information listed for both the Server Name and the Native Domain Name are correct.

6. Fill in the User Name and User Password fields with user account information that has Administrative privileges to the Domain.

7. Click Apply.

8. Click on the Windows Tab to verify the domain has been registered properly.

If additional information is needed, please review the pdf here.