Tips and Tricks, Adding a Spare Disk | Thecus Technology N3200PRO

Chapter 7: Tips and Tricks

USB and eSATA Storage Expansion

The N3200PRO supports external USB hard disks through its three USB ports. Once a USB hard disk has successfully mounted, the entire volume will be copied automatically to the default USB HDD folder. The N3200PRO supports up to 6 USB external storage devices. All file names on the USB disk volume are case sensitive.

The N3200PRO also supports eSATA hard disks with its eSATA port.

Before attaching an eSATA or USB disk drive to N3200PRO, you have to partition and format it on a desktop computer or a notebook first. The attached device will

be located at \\192.168.1.100\usbhdd\sdf1 where 192.168.1.100 means the IP address of N3200PRO and sdf1 stands for the first partition on disk #6, the eSATA or USB disk drive. If it is an NTFS partition, NAS users can open or copy files from \\192.168.1.100\usbhdd\sdf1 but cannot add new files or modify existing files.

NOTE

If you want to write to an USB storage device, the file system must be FAT32.

USB Storage	FAT32 Partition	NTFS Partition
Read	OK	OK
Write	OK	-

Adding a Spare Disk

With a RAID 1 array, you can add a spare disk after the initial RAID is setup. To add a spare disk, follow the steps below:

1.On the RAID Configuration Screen, tick the checkbox of the hard disk you wish to designate as a spare disk.

2.Click Add Spare.

Once the disk is set as a spare disk, it will automatically rebuild the previous RAID set when one of the disks becomes degraded.

Remote Administration

You can set up your N3200PRO for remote administration. With remote administration, you can access your N3200PRO over the Internet, even if your N3200PRO is behind a router. This is especially useful if you are traveling and suddenly need a file from your N3200PRO.

Setting up remote administration is a three-part process, and will require the following equipment:

•Thecus N3200PRO NAS device

•Cable/DSL Router with Dynamic DNS support

•Home PC

•Internet Connection

N3200PRO specifications

The Thecus Technology N3200PRO is a high-performance Network Attached Storage (NAS) device designed for home and small office use. With its ability to deliver robust data storage, the N3200PRO stands out as a versatile solution for users who require secure access to their files across multiple devices. This NAS unit supports a range of functionalities, making it suitable for both enthusiasts and professionals.

One of the main features of the N3200PRO is its capability to accommodate three SATA hard drives, providing up to 6TB of total storage space. This allows users to configure the device in various RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, and JBOD, ensuring data redundancy, improved performance, or a combination of both. This flexibility in storage configuration is crucial for businesses looking to optimize their data management.

The N3200PRO boasts a powerful Intel Atom dual-core processor, along with a substantial 512MB of DDR2 RAM. This hardware configuration enhances the device's performance, enabling smooth multitasking, quick file transfers, and efficient media streaming. The intuitive user interface, powered by Thecus’ proprietary ThecusOS, allows users to easily navigate through settings, monitor system performance, and manage files, making it a user-friendly option for those less tech-savvy.

Furthermore, the device supports multiple network protocols, including CIFS/SMB, AFP, and FTP, ensuring compatibility with a variety of operating systems. This feature is particularly beneficial for mixed environments using Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. Additionally, the N3200PRO comes equipped with USB ports for easy external storage expansion, allowing users to back up data or transfer files seamlessly.

Another notable characteristic of the N3200PRO is its robust data protection features, including snapshot and file versioning capabilities. This allows users to create point-in-time copies of their data, safeguarding against accidental deletion or corruption. With built-in support for remote access and cloud integration, users can access their files from anywhere, ensuring flexibility and convenience.

In summary, the Thecus Technology N3200PRO is a well-rounded NAS solution that combines performance, scalability, and user-friendly features. With its robust storage capabilities, efficient hardware, and advanced data protection measures, it is an ideal choice for anyone looking to enhance their data management and accessibility in a modern computing environment.