Frequently Asked Questions

NO. Unfortunately, there is no master username/password combination that can be used for every machine and losing that information could lead to losing your data since the machine may need to be reset. For this reason, it is recommended to write down the username and password you use for the NAS in case you need it in the future….Just don’t save it on the NAS.

Many NAS systems in today’s technical environment are becoming more technically involved so many steps for one machine may not be the same steps for another machine. The best example would be the operating system of a desktop NAS versus the ZFS operating system of certain rack-mounted systems.

Depending on the model of the machine, a username or password may have not been needed. In many cases, you may be able to use the admin/(blank) combination to log into the machine. If the log in information is different, there will be paperwork in the box for the NAS with information outlining the combination to use.

The username and password combination is usually admin/admin, but if for some reason it is different, there will be a sheet in the box with the paperwork that will have the correct username/password combination.

In many cases, NO, but if you are transferring a lot of data over the network, you will definitely want to make sure your network configuration is in proper working order. Just remember, your network is only as strong as your weakest component.

A MUX board is an adapter used to adapt a SATA drive so it will work in a SAS drive specific machine.

A NAS device does not require a degree in computer technology to operate. With many of the new operating systems NAS manufacturers are using, you can easily and effectively setup and use a NAS device without needing to hire a system administrator. Some users will have more demanding specifications and requirements for the NAS and the environment it will be installed into, but they will usually have a network administrator on-site or have outsourced the additional resource for set up.

Could and should will be a determining factor. Yes, the system could be used in an enterprise environment, but it will be limited to its drive size, processor, RAM, and its network functionality. Having a lot of people storing information or trying to access information at the same time will likely slow things down greatly, making the unit unusable. If the nas is in a small business environment with a limited number of users accessing information, the system will fit in nicely. In either environment, the system would be able to hold its own if only being used as a backup for a specific data type.

Sadly, a data breach can hit anyone and the damage can be extensive. That being said no one is totally impervious. If the breach is extensive enough, the likely hood of information being taken is high. The intention of the NAS is to find a place in your disaster recovery plan so just having a NAS will not fully stop the chance, but it will give you more options to store data in more secure locations away from the possibly breach prone target

With the link below, we show not only what RAID is, but also different RAID settings and the benefits of each. https://www.simplynasbusiness.com/pages/guide-to-raid

The acronym is short for Network Attached Storage Burn In Testing. This is the process of testing the firmware and hardware for faults before putting the unit in its operational environment. It is currently only available at Simyplynas.com

A NAS is a Network Attached Storage device that allows for storage and backup of data. A NAS is a great device for adding security to your valued information. With a NAS you can save information directly or you have the option to backup large files and volumes. This allows you to have information that can be recovered should a computer fail.

This will depend on the machine. Some machines take one or the other, but some machines are capable of working with both drive types.

The easiest way to think of it is, SAS drives are typically found in Enterprise grade machines that require high speed drive functionality. SATA drives can also be found in Enterprise grade machines, but are more commonly found in small to medium size business applications.

Once the information on the machine has been backed up safely. You can pull out the drive tray for the defective drive. On most units, there will be retaining screws for the drives. Where other manufacturers use plastic retaining clips with pins on them to attach the drive to the tray. Simply remove the screws or retaining clips, swap the drive, replace the screws or clips and re-insert the drive into the machine. Within a matter of minutes, the machine will detect the new drive and begin repairing its RAID settings and initializing the drive for operation in the system.

Only certain machines support this ability. It is recommended before making any drive swap/upgrades to make sure to backup all data either to a cloud service or another machine. Once all data has been safely backed up to another machine you can install new drives and start from fresh with larger capacity drives in the machine.

NO. NAS units have a very specific set of parameters and using aftermarket RAM can render the unit unusable. For this reason, we only recommend manufacturer specified RAM modules that have been tested for compatibility.

Simply disengage the locking mechanism or handle, pull the drive out roughly half way and push the drive back in, reseating the drive in the connector on the backplane of the NAS.

After 20 days of receiving the unit, you would need to contact the manufacturer to have the drives replaced under the manufacturer warranty.

This would depend on the length of the time of ownership. If the drive was part of a configured NAS and the time of ownership is less than 20 days, we can replace the drive under warranty. If the time of ownership is over 20 days, you would need to contact the drive manufacturer or if the unit was purchased without drives, the drive manufacturer would need to be contacted concerning replacement.

Normally, these errors occur when a large amount of information is too much for the network to handle. Eventually, the system times out since the amount of data slows the network to the point the system warns you there is an issue. This can be solved by breaking down the file size into smaller sized files. Breaking these files down into smaller sizes may take some time, but will speed up the data transfer.

Contrary to what some may say, YES. Using the Rsync feature of each machine, these machines can be backed up to one another regardless of the differing manufacturers

Certainly! Just because a NAS is from a different manufacturer does not mean you cannot use the systems in the same network with another NAS. Mapped to each NAS would be nearly the same process for each NAS you would like to map to. The only real difference would be the username and password differences from machine to machine.

Simply put, NO. Although a NAS has many stand-alone features, it will be lacking in certain departments. For example, high performance gaming will not be possible. A NAS can allow for direct connection of a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, but this is for home or office media use such as movies, music, or presentations

Unfortunately, the operating system features typically are not cross compatible to another operating system. There are certain apps that do cross between manufacturers. These are typically third party applications that would usually be found in an app store. An example of this is Plex, a media application.

Yes, configured systems would come with drives and set to the RAID level specified by the customer.

In a case such as this, there are two options. Either our technical partner NeXtech Centers or the manufacturer can be contacted.

If you have received the NAS within 20 days, you can contact the Support department of SimplyNAS. (If this NAS happens to be a Windows Storage Server or a diskless/non-configured unit, you would need to contact either our Technical Partner NeXtech Centers or the manufacturer.)