N299 - unable to map or browse on network

[Polwhele]

I am trying to set up a new N299. It is attached by the LAN port on 192.168.2.254 because my router uses 192.168.2.1 as its default address. I can access the N299 drive through the web interface but cannot see it in Windows Explorer. I have Vista Home Premium but got the same results with Windows XP Pro.

As I have never used NAS before I might be failing to do something obvious in setting up the system. But one possible problem is that I can't set SMB/CIFS, which as far as I can see is needed for sharing through Windows.

When I toggle Enable in SMB/CIFS and click Apply, a Set CIFS message appears and then the display area goes blank (in Firefox) or in IE shows "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage". Returning to the SMB/CIFS dialogue, it is still set to Disable.

I've spent hours getting this far. I would be grateful for advice about what to try next. Thanks in anticipation.

[Iammer]

Hi,

no problem. use the WAN port on N299 and setup with an IP out of 192.168.2.x .
Use router IP as default gateway in N299
That works proper.

[Polwhele]

Originally Posted by Iammer

Hi,

no problem. use the WAN port on N299 and setup with an IP out of 192.168.2.x .
Use router IP as default gateway in N299
That works proper.

Doesn't work for me I'm afraid. First of all have to get past the problem that "both LAN1 and LAN2 can't be on the same network segment 192.168.2.x". So I changed the LAN to 192.168.3.x, then I can set the WAn to be 192.168.2.x Router is the default gateway and DNS server. I can log into the N299 through the browser.

But setting SMB/CIFS still does not work. Web page goes blank and the system log does not record any change. Unlike say setting up FTP when there is an OK message and system log shows 'FTP has been enabled'

Looks like there's a fault with this box. I'm going to go to tech support.

[Thecus - Yvon]

Dear Sir,

After check the OCNF.BIN and found the SAMBA service deosn't running up, following suggestion for your reference:
1. Try to resert factory default: SYSTEM->FACTORY DEFAULT.
2. UP on latest version firmware and repeat item 1.

3. Please back up N299 existed file, and than clear up all HDD partition from PC to start a brand new insatllation and uploading V1.00.29beta1 firmware.

Yvon

[Polwhele]

Thanks Yvon,

I posted a message in this thread last night reporting that the fix had worked - wonder where it's gone?

If I recall correctly the steps were:

1. Resert to factory default: SYSTEM->FACTORY DEFAULT.
2. Install latest version firmware and repeat reset to factory detault.
3. Delete RAID
4. Reinstall latest firmware
(With reboots in between as requested by the system.)

And SMB dialogue now functions as expected.

[AdamZ]

Can we please have a response from Thecus on this:

This is causing me major poblems. The system had been working fine for at least 6 months.

Yesterday I was unable to access via Windows Explorer. Looking at Net View showed that the 299 was not available in the list of servers. I was able to successfully ping the N299 and access via the web file manager.

Checking the N299 configuration I found that SMB/CIFS was set to disabled. I attempted to enable it but there was no no change. I also attempted to change the work group but this was also not possible.

I reinstalled the firmware V1.00.24 but this still did not allow SMB to be enabled. I then reset to factory defaults but again I was still not able to access the SMB share.

To ensure that it was not my desktop I attempted a SMB shares build list on a Netgear EVA8000 which had previously been able to see the N299. The Netgear was no longer able to see the N299.

The only firmware that I can find is 1.00.24. I also do not wish to have to delete 1.5TB of data.

At the moment this unit is unworkable. Assistance please.

[jimbok11]

Yes, a response for this issue would be helpful since, although it is working fine for me now, I don not want to have to delete all my data just to make something work (that should work in the first place!)...

can you not remove the HDDs, install the new FW and then whack the HDDs back in...or does RAID not work like that?

[Iammer]

No that won´t work.
cause by installing a new firmware the *.bin file will temporary stored on HDD

[jimbok11]

ah ok...

[AdamZ]

Jimbok, did you have this problem at all? or are you just in expectation. Thanks

[jimbok11]

haven't had this problem yet Adam, BT is working "ok"...v.slow and pretty ineffective, but i just leave it and it eventually finishes

could the Thecus guys tell us what BT client they use?

[AdamZ]

Received response from Thecus:

If N299 ordionary firmware is V1.00.22 and than update V1.00.24, please update to latest beta version firmware V1.00.29beta1, and than resert factory default to fix this issue: SYSTEM->FACTORY DEFAULT:

If N299 ordionary firmware is early than V1.00.22, due to system structure changed after update to V1.00.29beta1 and reset to factory default, please backup all exist data and than create a new RAID volume.

N299 doesn't suppot 1TB HDD, thus we would recommend choose HDD below 500GB for system stability for the long run....

-----------------------------------------------------------

Glad for a response, at least now I know that the difficulties are not mine. It looks like I am going to have to go to the beta release.

I cannot remember what the blurb was when I purchased but I am sure 2TB was ok. I note that the Thecus web site says 1TB total only (no mention of if that is 1TB RAID or 1TB JBOD). Perhaps when I read 1TB I assumed 1TB RAID.

As I am on 1.00.24 so should not lose my data but as I have to downgrade the 1TB drives I will lose my data anyway!!!!

I will harvest the 1TB disk from the N299. That will go into a new QNAP as I have had enough of the N299. As a Beta release is recoomend it either goes in a cupboard or because I have another spare 500Gb drive I could put that in the N299. However, because of spindown issues and slow data transfer, I would only use it for old infrequently accessed data. I am so sensitive about the N299 I will not put important data on it....

Well I suppose if you go for a cheap box you will get less than average functionality. Mind you considering the price of the box and the price of 500Gb drives it is not really that cheap considering the prices of prepackaged 1TB NAS. Only about a 20% reduction.

[AdamZ]

I swapped out the 1TB Hitachi and reinitialised the existing WD 500Gb and added another 500Gb from a previous harvest. I then rebuilt the system using V1.00.24.

CIFS/SMB has now returned and I am currently reloading the data.

My biggest concern is if this will happen again. The rebuild takes two days so do not want to have to do it again.

Do I need to go to 1.00.29beta or am I able to stay on a production release. The unit will be away from home so I am reluctant to run with a beta release.

[AdamZ]

Well it seems like I have to upgrade to the beta.

I lost the network connection during the transfer. Everything seemed fine on the box but the last batch of files did not show. I powered down the N299. Removed the power cable, left for a moment and then powered all back.

The unit now shows that 1 disk is missing.

I now have to start all over again. Taking the disks out of the N299 is difficult but like I have to.

This is exceptionally frustrating.