Maintenance Options

RMA Policy

Support Request

Shipment Tracking

Contact Support

Learning Center

Maintenance Terms & Conditions

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 DataShare x2 and remote image discs.

eContent (v4.11)
Windows based GUI software to allow centralized application launching and management.

eMulateCD (v3.01)
Windows based GUI software to emulate a local CD-ROM drive with contents of a cached disc

Product Documentation:

Download Quick Start Guide

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Choose an 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
Registering DataShare x2 to a Windows Domain
Adding a Gigabit Ethernet adaptor to DataShare x2

Factory Reset Controller to Default values

In the event you are unable to reach the DataShare x2 web interface and/or you have been locked out or are unable to configure DataShare x2 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 DataShare x2 server (power it off).

2. Open the chassis and locate the DataShare x2 system controller.

3. Near the front of the DataShare x2 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. This will clear the stored values from the DataShare x2 controller and restore it to factory defaults.

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

7. Close the chassis and power the system back on.

NOTE: The DataShare x2 will not pull an IP address from DHCP in this state. You will need to use the LCD panel to configure the IP address before being able 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 DataShare x2 server power it off).

2. Open the chassis and locate the DataShare x2 system controller.

3. Near the rear of the DataShare x2 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 DataShare x2 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 informations 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.

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.

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

Upgrading Firmware

How do I upgrade the firmware on my DataShare x2 server?

1. Launch a web browser and type the URL in for your DataShare x2 (the name or IP address of the server).

2. Authenticate 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 DataShare x2 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 intructions:

1. Browse to the DataShare x2 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. Click this file and once the page has loaded do a 'file, save as .html' and save the file.

4. Please attach this file to your trouble ticket. Support needs only the all.html file, which contains the other html files within it. 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 DataShare x2? And how do the Inherited and Privileged rights interact with each other?

DataShare x2 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 ecause 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 DataShare x2 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?

DataShare x2 features SmartSync, which allows you to synchronize data stored on one DataShare x2 to another DataShare x2, or even to multiple DataShare x2 Filers.

There is always a "master" DataShare x2 'SmartSync Point' which is where the source files are stored. Then there is at least one "slave" DataShare x2 'SmartSync Point' which is where the destination files are stored.

The "master" and "slave" can be one single DataShare x2, 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 DataShare x2. Any DataShare x2 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 DataShare x2 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.

Registering DataShare x2 to a Windows Domain

By default, DataShare x2 uses pass-through authentication when verifying user security credentials against a Windows Domain Controller. Alternatively, you can Register the DataShare x2 to the domain from within the Network/Windows administration GUI, which will enable DataNAS to use Netlogon authentication.

DataShare x2 will remain Registered with the Domain until you change the domain name from within the DataShare x2 administration interface, or switch from Domain to Workgroup mode.

In the event the DataShare x2 machine account entry is deleted or disabled on the Domain Controller, DataShare x2 will no longer be able to properly authenticate user requests. If this occurs, you will need to re-register DataShare x2 to the domain.

Adding a Gigabit Ethernet adaptor to DataShare x2

Some DataShare x2 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 DataShare x2 Filer solution.

Gigabit Ethernet Installation instructions (PDF Format)