CD/DVD Server Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a NAS Optical Storage Server?
• How do I install the system?
• Can the NAS Optical Server support simultaneous use of hard disks, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM devices?
• How do I expand the system?
• What effect does the NAS Optical Storage Server optical have on network performance?
•
Does the NAS Optical Storage Server support CD/DVD caching?
• How does my systems administrator manage the NAS Optical Storage Server?
•
How does the NAS Optical Storage Server compare to other network storage solutions?
•
Are any user licenses required to use the NAS Optical Storage Server?
•
If my main file server becomes unavailable, can I still access files stored on the NAS Optical Storage Server?
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Can I access the NAS Optical Storage Server over my "WAN" (Wide Area Network)?
•
How does the NAS Optical Storage Server interact with existing file servers?
• Does the NAS Optical Storage Server optical support long file names?
•
Can Microsoft Windows, NetWare, Macintosh, and UNIX clients access the NAS Optical Storage Server simultaneously?
•
What happens if my client has more than one supported protocol installed?
• Can I use the NAS Optical Storage Server as a Web server?
•
When using TCP/IP, how does the NAS Optical Storage Server obtain its IP address?
• Can the system administrator choose which Apple network zone the NAS Optical Storage Server will appear in?
• Does the NAS Optical Storage Server support SNMP?
• How do I access the NAS Optical Storage Server?
• Can I view information stored on the NAS Optical Storage Server via the Web?
• What is the default server name of the NAS Optical Storage Server as it first appears on the network?
• Does the NAS Optical Storage Server support file locking across multiple protocols?
• I get a new CD or DVD each month as part of a subscription set. Do I need to re-enter security settings each month with each new disc?
• Can I organize multiple volumes or directories under one volume and drive letter?
• What is the total number of CDs or DVDs that can be cached?
• What is archive caching?
• What is performance caching?
• Is the NAS Optical Storage Server available for access while a disc is being cached?
• Is it possible to secure the files I store on the NAS Optical Storage Server?
• How does security work across the multiple protocols?
• Can I control security down to the directory level?
• Can I set security on a virtual volume?
• Does the NAS Optical Storage Server work with NT Domain Services?
• Can I use local security at the same time as a remote security option such as NT Domain Security or Novell's NDS?
• What is "Share Level security" and "User Level security"?
• Can I set license restrictions on a given volume?
• Can the front panel display be locked?
• How many users and groups can the NAS Optical Storage Server support?
• Does the NAS Optical Storage Server support NDS networking?
• How do I install a NAS Optical Storage Server into an NDS tree?
• Can I manage the NAS Optical Storage Server with NWAdmin or NDS manager?
• Can the NAS Optical Storage Server be an NDS and a Bindery server at the same time?
• Does the NAS Optical Storage Server optical support NDS time synchronization?
• What NetWare clients does the NAS Optical Storage Server support?
• Can I change my NDS DS-version number?
• What Operating Systems does the CD/DVD Server Support?
• How do I restrict users from accessing certain cds?
• What CD Formats are supported?
• What Network Topologies are Supported?


What is a NAS Optical Storage Server?
The Legacy NAS Optical Storage Server provides additional CD-ROM and/or DVD-ROM storage to virtually any computer network. The Legacy NAS Optical Storage Server can be installed in just a few minutes and requires little knowledge of computer networking. It is similar to a file server, but easier to use and install. The Legacy NAS Optical Storage Server provides a low-cost network solution for file sharing with simultaneous support for Windows clients, NetWare clients, Macintosh clients, and UNIX/Linux workstations. This type of powerful but easy-to-use device is called a “NAS” or Network Attached Server.

How do I install the system?
The NAS Optical Storage Server installs in just a few minutes. The NAS Optical Storage Server optical contains an auto-sensing 10 Base-T/100 Base-TX Ethernet interface that connects to any Ethernet hub or switch on the network. Simply plug it in, turn it on, and within 20 seconds the system will boot and auto-configure itself for the network it is attached to.


Can the NAS Optical Server support simultaneous use of hard disks, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM devices?
Yes, hard disks and CD-ROM/DVD-ROM devices can be used at the same time.


How do I expand the system?
The CD/DVD Server can be further expanded with more memory to the maximum of 128MB if necessary. Additional CDROM, CD Changer, DVDROM or Disk Cache may be installed into any remaining empty bays.

What effect does the NAS Optical Storage Server optical have on network performance?
In most cases the NAS Optical Storage Server will increase overall network performance by decreasing the workload on existing file servers. Access to files on the NAS Optical Storage Server, however, is not affected by a heavy workload on the primary file server(s). In the case of a segmented network, overall performance can be further enhanced by locating the NAS Optical Storage Server on the segment with the users which require the server's data.

Does the NAS Optical Storage Server support CD/DVD caching?
Yes. The NAS Optical Storage Server will cache CD-ROM or DVD-ROM discs to the internal hard drive automatically. CD-ROM and DVD-ROM caching is one of the more powerful and configurable features of the NAS Optical Storage Server.

How does my systems administrator manage the NAS Optical Storage Server?
The NAS Optical Storage Server can be efficiently managed in one of three ways: 1) Using a web browser administrator interface running from any client PC equipped with a standard web browser; 2) Using the front panel display menus; or 3) Accessing configuration text files, which are stored on the NAS Optical Storage Server and which can be modified by any client PC equipped with a text editor.

How does the NAS Optical Storage Server compare to other network storage solutions?
The NAS Optical Storage Server offers the quickest, easiest, and lowest cost means of adding storage to a network. With other types of storage solutions you have to either purchase another file server (an expensive and time-consuming process) or add additional storage to an existing file server, which requires significant down time, adds risks, and usually requires additional server upgrades. In addition, adding additional storage to an existing server slows down the server. With NAS Optical Storage Server you get additional storage as well as additional processing power.

Are any user licenses required to use the NAS Optical Storage Server?
No. There are no user licenses required for NT, NetWare, Macintosh, or UNIX access. This is not the case with a traditional file server.

If my main file server becomes unavailable, can I still access files stored on the NAS Optical Storage Server?
Yes. Accessing information on the NAS Optical Storage Server happens independently of other file servers.

Can I access the NAS Optical Storage Server over my "WAN" (Wide Area Network)?
Yes. The NAS Optical Storage Server can be located outside the firewall, or you can configure your network to allow access to the NAS Optical Storage Server through your firewall.

How does the NAS Optical Storage Server interact with existing file servers?
The NAS Optical Storage Server operates as an independent file server. As such, it does not need to communicate with any other servers on the network. Alternatively, the NAS Optical Storage Server can be configured to work in conjunction with an NT domain or a NetWare NDS network to facilitate common network security.

Does the NAS Optical Storage Server optical support long file names?
Yes.


Can Microsoft Windows, NetWare, Macintosh, and UNIX clients access the NAS Optical Storage Server simultaneously?
Yes. All the supported clients can simultaneously access the same data whether this data is stored on a hard disk or a CD or DVD reader.

What happens if my client has more than one supported protocol installed?
A single client can access the NAS Optical Storage Server through multiple client protocols simultaneously. For example, if your client is configured for both Microsoft and NetWare, then the NAS Optical Storage Server will appear in your Network Neighborhood twice, once as a Microsoft server and once as a NetWare server. Each server will perform as the Network Operating System which it is emulating.

Can I use the NAS Optical Storage Server as a Web server?
Yes. The NAS Optical Storage Server is a basic Web server, although it does not run resident applications such as Front Page extensions, CGIs, etc.


When using TCP/IP, how does the NAS Optical Storage Server obtain its IP address?
If a DHCP, BOOTP or RARP server exists on your network, the NAS Optical Storage Server will obtain an IP # automatically as the system boots. If your network is not configured to run one of these applications, then the IP address will default to 10.10.10.10. Furthermore, the IP# may be manually set via one of the Administration methods: 1) The administrative Web functionality; 2) The front panel display; or 3) The onboard configuration files.

Can the system administrator choose which Apple network zone the NAS Optical Storage Server will appear in?
Yes. The NAS Optical Storage Server will display all available Apple zones, allowing the administrator to choose which zone the NAS Optical Storage Server will appear in.

Does the NAS Optical Storage Server support SNMP?
Yes. The NAS Optical Storage Server supports basic SNMP commands such as Community, Contact, Location, and Trap addresses.

How do I access the NAS Optical Storage Server?
Just as you would access any server on the network. The NAS Optical Storage Server automatically appears in the familiar locations--Network Neighborhood, File Manager, Windows Explorer, Chooser, etc. Clients can map volumes to local drive letters or access files through the Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path.

Can I view information stored on the NAS Optical Storage Server via the Web?
Yes. You can access all the information stored on the NAS Optical Storage Server via a Web browser though Web-based material, such as HTML formatted data, is more usable from a Web browser vs application software.

What is the default server name of the NAS Optical Storage Server as it first appears on the network?
By default the NAS Optical Storage Server will appear on the network with a unique server name that combines the product name, the unit's serial number, and the network protocol configured at the client. For example, a NAS Optical Storage Server with serial number 102389 will appear to a Microsoft client as "Legacy2389_smb" and to a Novell client as "Legacy2389_nw."

Does the NAS Optical Storage Server support file locking across multiple protocols?
Yes. If a file is locked by one protocol then the file will be rightfully locked for all protocols.

I get a new CD or DVD each month as part of a subscription set. Do I need to re-enter security settings each month with each new disc?
No. The NAS Optical Storage Server has a specific feature to deal with subscription-based discs. When a new volume arrives the NAS Optical Storage Server optical copies all security, password, and license information from the old disc to the new disc.

Can I organize multiple volumes or directories under one volume and drive letter?
Yes. This feature, called "Virtual Volumes," is one of the more powerful functions. A Virtual Volume can be created real-time and can contain directories of other volumes. The use of Virtual Volumes greatly increases the flexibility and configuration of the server, providing a powerful resource for more effectively managing and organizing data.

What is the total number of CDs or DVDs that can be cached?
1,024

What is archive caching?
With archive caching, once a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM is inserted, the data is copied onto the hard drive for further access and the disc is ejected.

What is performance caching?
Performance caching is similar to archive caching except that the CD is not ejected once the data has been copied. With performance caching the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM disc remains in the drive, allowing client access to be serviced first by the hard drive cache and then by CD or DVD discs in high use situations.

Is the NAS Optical Storage Server available for access while a disc is being cached?
Yes. The NAS Optical Storage Server is completely available for normal disc access during the caching process.

Is it possible to secure the files I store on the NAS Optical Storage Server?
Yes. Security is one of the most robust features of the NAS Optical Storage Server. The NAS Optical Storage Server has a unified security model enabled throughout all of the client protocols. Concepts such as Local Users, Local Groups, Share Level Passwords, User Level security, NT Domain Users, and NDS Users are all supported.

How does security work across the multiple protocols?
Seamlessly. The security model of NAS Optical Storage Server functions independently of any protocol that is accessing it. If a NetWare user logs in as Supervisor, for example, and sets privileges to a given directory to only NDS users named "Bob", then all other clients are denied access to this directory. If the administrator then adds a local user "Jane" to this same directory then a user from a Macintosh, a Unix system, a Microsoft or a Novell Bindery client can access the directory as "Jane" as well as the NDS user "Bob." In this example all other users--regardless of protocol--are locked out of this directory.

Can I control security down to the directory level?
Yes. Unlike other NAS servers, which only allow security to be configured at the volume level, the NAS Optical Storage Server allows security to be configured down to the directory level.

Can I set security on a virtual volume?
Yes. All of the methods of setting security on physical volumes or directories are available for virtual volumes.

Does the NAS Optical Storage Server work with NT Domain Services?
Yes. The NAS Optical Storage Server can be installed into the NT domain, allowing user authentication to be transferred to the domain controller. In order for a user to gain access the NAS Optical Storage Server has to be a valid user on the NT domain. Security can be further configured on a per volume and per directory level for individual users in your domain.

Can I use local security at the same time as a remote security option such as NT Domain Security or Novell's NDS?
Yes. The powerful security model of the NAS Optical Storage Server optical allows for a simultaneous combination of Local security, Domain security, and NDS security.

What is "Share Level security" and "User Level security"?
Share Level security and User Level security are security modes supported by Microsoft networking. In Share Level mode only a password is assigned to protect a volume; with User Level security a separate use name and password are required in order for a user to gain access to a protected volume. The NAS Optical Storage Server is the only NAS server that can be configured to support either of these modes or both modes simultaneously.

Can I set license restrictions on a given volume?
Yes. In order to adhere with software publisher license restrictions a feature exists on the NAS Optical Storage Server to limit the number of simultaneous users on a given CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

Can the front panel display be locked?
Yes. A password can be set to lock the front panel display.

How many users and groups can the NAS Optical Storage Server support?
There is no hard set limit on the number of users or groups that can be stored on the NAS Optical Storage Server. Each user or group takes only a very small amount of memory, allowing for virtually hundreds of users and groups.

Does the NAS Optical Storage Server support NDS networking?
Yes. The NAS Optical Storage Server fully supports NDS. Once installed into NDS, security rights can be managed using Novell's administration tools.

How do I install a NAS Optical Storage Server into an NDS tree?
You simply needs supervisor rights to the context in which the NAS Optical Storage Server will be installed. Installation into NDS requires the administrator to enter 4 items: 1) The Tree Name; 2) The Context in which the server object and volume object will be created in; 3) The administrator user name; and 4) The user's password. The NAS Optical Storage Server will then automatically log into the NDS tree and install itself.

Can I manage the NAS Optical Storage Server with NWAdmin or NDS manager?
Yes. Native Novell tools can be used to manage the NAS Optical Storage Server just like any other Novell server. Access rights can be set for server or volume objects for users, groups and contexts as well as Trustee rights for the NAS Optical Storage Server and its volume objects. This seamless support allows the NAS Optical Storage Server to become a Simple extension of your NDS network.

Can the NAS Optical Storage Server be an NDS and a Bindery server at the same time?
Yes. The NAS Optical Storage Server can be in the NDS Tree while also being accessed as a Bindery server.

Does the NAS Optical Storage Server optical support NDS time synchronization?
Yes. The NAS Optical Storage Server can obtain and synchronize current time from a set of definable sources: 1) The NDS network; 2) A specified NDS time source server; or 3) a prioritized list of servers.

What NetWare clients does the NAS Optical Storage Server support?
The NAS Optical Storage Server supports all known NetWare clients, including all versions of Novell's 32-bit client, Novell's IntraNetware Client, The Microsoft Bindery, NDS clients, and DOS clients.

Can I change my NDS DS-version number?
Yes. The administrator can change the DS version as necessary to keep the NAS Optical Storage Server current with new releases of NetWare.

What Operating Systems does the NAS Optical Server Support?
Microsoft Windows NT / LAN Manager - LAN Manager V1.3 and above including 3.x, 4.x and 2000, SMB over NetBIOS and TCP/IP, SMB over NetBIOS and NetBEUI
Novell NetWare - Supports standard mount commands. NetWare V3.x, 4.x and 5.x. IPX/SPX, emulating both Bindery (V3.12) and NDS through NWadmin configuration NetWare/IP
IBM OS/2 LAN Server - LAN Server V1.3 and above, SMB over NetBIOS and TCP/IP, SMB over NetBIOS and NetBEUI
Apple Macintosh - AppleTalk version 1.1 or greater, AppleTalk/IP
Unix - NFS compatible Unix systems, NFS over UDP/IP
World Wide Web - HTTP 1.0 and HTML 2.0 compatible browser, HTTP over TCP/IP

How do I restrict users from accessing certain titles?
General - Users and groups can be stored and managed directly on the CD/Media Server or kept remotely on your existing file servers. Access to the CD/Media Server can be restricted by users and/or groups down to the directory level. The number of users per CD can also be restricted through disc metering.
Windows, OS/2 -
Internal users and groups or remote users. Share Level Security, SMB User-Level Security authenticates users against the Primary Domain Controller.
NetWare -
Security is handled internally, storing and modifying users and groups on the CD/Media Server, or externally via third party authentication from an existing Novell server. The CD/Media Server can also be inserted into the NDS Tree allowing NDS to handle all security.
Unix - NFS version 2, PCNFSD, mountd.
Apple Macintosh - Standard Apple User and Group security supported.

What CD Formats are supported?
ISO 9660 (Joliet & Romeo), RockRidge, High Sierra (HSF), Multi-session, HFS, Hybrids

What Network Topologies are Supported?
1) 10/100 Ethernet attachment, 10/100BaseT (twisted pair)