WSS FAQ Last View: Aug-2005
1. How to install (recovery) WSS2003 by DVD disc?
A: Xtore WSS provides a DVD disc for WSS2003 OS auto-recovery, a external USB DVD ROM
is necessary, please refer to user’s guide or Technical notes of Xtore WSS2003 OS (DVD
Recovery) installation Guide for further information.
2. How to check and upgrade LCD monitor status firmware?
A: LCD Monitor status firmware is only good for Xtore WSS products series; it can express setup
network configuration and hardware monitoring. This service version can be checked on
“Computer Management” Æ “Services and Applications” Æ “Service” Æ “Xtore NAS Monitor
service”. The latest LCD firmware version can be downloaded from Xtore website. Download the
latest firmware to WSS2003 any folder, unzip the file and click LCD10X.exe, restart the system.
3. How to configure and manage WSS?
There are two ways to configure and manage WSS.
¾ Via the administrator web user interface (Admin web UI), e.g. Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), from a
client system on the same network.
• Running IE from a client system.
• Type IP address of LAN1 port as shown on the LCD. https://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:8098 or host name
https://XtoreWSS:8098 to access WSS
¾ Run Remote Desktop from a client system on the same network.
Some management tasks have to be performed via Remote Desktop, e.g. anti-virus software installation.
Remote Desktop clients are available for Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT
4.0, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows 95, Windows ME, and Mac OS X.
Windows clients can also be downloaded from the Microsoft Web site at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/rdclientdl.asp
The Mac OS X client can be downloaded from the Microsoft Web site at:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/DOWNLOAD/MISC/RDC.asp
4. Can I change the LCD display name from XTOREWSS to my favor name?
A: Yes, you can change the default host name XTOREWSS by the Admin Web UI. Log in to
the Admin web UI. Click Welcome. Click Set Server Name. Type a new name for the XN WSS in the
Server name field, so that client systems can identify the XN WSS over the network.
5. Is there any default password for the XN WSS?
A: Yes, the default administrator’s password is “winstore”, case sensitive. You are
recommended to change the password as soon as possible for security reason.
6. Cannot connect to XN WSS via Admin web UI?
A: Perform the following steps to check:
I. Check if “Server Name” and “LAN1 IP address” shown on LCD correctly. If not, the XN WSS has
not booted successfully.
II. Make sure the XN WSS is connected to the network. Check the LAN LED on the front panel/rear
panel to see if the connection is normal. Make sure that XN WSS’s IP does not conflict with any
other one on the network.
III. Make sure the client system you are using has correctly installed/set up the TCP/IP protocols,
and is running Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) 6.0 or higher.
IV. Run DOS command “ping (the WSS’s IP)” on the client system to try. If request timed out, make
sure the XN WSS and the client system can be connected through physical network medium
(e.g. hub or switch, etc).
V. If the XN WSS and the client system are in the same domain, try typing the server name of the
XN WSS in the address field of IE. If not in the same domain but in the same workgroup, add
one more line “xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx Server Name” in the file “hosts” under
“c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc. Then try typing the server name in the address field of IE.
VI. Try restoring the IE settings to defaults and try again.
VII. Try restarting the XN WSS.
7. Do you have compatible lists for my UPS or tape back drive can be compatible with
Xtore WSS?
A: there is a web link http://testedproducts.windowsmarketplace.com/ for Microsoft Windows
Tested Products list is the complete reference for products that have been tested for Windows
compatibility. You can use this site to easily browse, search and validate the testing status of
products your organization has or is considering for purchase.
8. How to change a basic disk into a dynamic disk?
A: Open Computer Management (Local). In the console tree, click Disk Management. Right-click
the basic disk you want to convert, click Convert to Dynamic Disk, and then follow the
instructions on your screen. If you do not see this menu item, you might be right-clicking a volume
instead of a disk, the disk might have been previously converted to a dynamic disk, or the
computer is a portable computer. (Dynamic disks are not supported on portable computers,
removable disks, detachable disks that use Universal Serial Bus (USB) or IEEE 1394 (also called
FireWire) interfaces, or on disks connected to shared SCSI buses.) In addition, you cannot
convert cluster disks connected to shared SCSI or Fibre Channel buses to dynamic. The Cluster
service supports basic disks only.)
9. How to setup a RAID5 DATA volume by WSS2003 software Disk Management?
A: To open Computer Management, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative
Tools, and then double-click Computer Management. You need at least three (but no more than
32) dynamic disks to create a RAID-5 volume. RAID-5 volumes cannot be extended or mirrored.
10. How to reconnect the disk and repair the RAID-5 volume?
A: Open Computer Management (Local). In the console tree, click Disk Management Right-click
the Missing or Offline disk, and then click Reactivate Disk. If the disk containing part of the
RAID-5 volume cannot be reactivated and the volume does not return to the Healthy status, you
should replace the failed disk region in the RAID-5 volume.
11. Why I need to setup Multi-RAID for my XN-104/8R-T2 WSS?
A: For Xtore 4-bays above WSS, we are strongly recommended to use first 2 disks 8GB reserved
capacity for OS mirroring, the rest of disks for RAID5 data fault-tolerance.
12. How to choose compatible disks for WSS2003?
A: Please contact with Xtore Rep. for HDD compatible list before install generic HDDs for Xtore
WSS products. Or you might download from Xtore website to choose compatible disks.
13. How to use RS-232 null model cable to monitor status?
A: Most of Xtore WSS products (except XN10) without a VGA connector, there is a RS-232 port
can be used for BIOS modification and OS installation. To use RS-232 null model cable connect
WSS by HyperTerminal VT320 program to configure and monitor status. For further information
please contact with Xtore Rep. or check Technical notes: Xtore WSS BIOS upgrades Guide.
14. What is Windows Storage Server 2003?
A: Windows® Storage Server 2003 is a dedicated file and print server based on Windows
technology that is designed for dependability, ease of integration, and value. This network storage
product, previously referred to as Windows Powered Network Attached Storage (NAS), is the new
release of the operating system used by original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners to
create NAS devices.
15. Does this product replace my Windows Server 2003 machines?
A: Windows Storage Server 2003 is a solution for consolidating your file serving functions on one
device, replacing your general purpose servers that are dedicated to file serving.
16. How is Windows Storage Server 2003 different from Windows Server 2003?
A: Besides being dedicated exclusively to file serving, Windows Storage Server 2003 contains
some important features not available in Windows Server 2003. These features include an
advanced storage manager for file filtering and quota management, a new Network File System
(NFS) server to improve performance, and a fully integrated Web-based user interface for remote
management. Windows Storage Server 2003 also incorporates Volume Shadow Copy Service
(VSS) for point-in-time shadow copy capabilities, support for the enhanced version of distributed
file system (DFS), and support for the Microsoft Internet Small Computer
System Interface (iSCSI) Software Initiator.
17. Can devices based on Windows Storage Server 2003 be used for tasks other than
storage?
A: No, these devices are specifically designed to be file servers with large amounts of storage
capacity. They cannot be used to deploy business applications such as Microsoft SQL Server or
Microsoft Exchange Server. Backup, antivirus, and other applications typically used in a file
serving environment are supported along with any embedded database functionality including
SQL Server and/or MSDE.
18. Does Windows Storage Server 2003 work only with Windows-based clients and servers?
A: No, this product is designed to integrate seamlessly into heterogeneous environments with
support for all major network operating system protocols including NFS (Unix/Linux), Netware
(Novell), AppleTalk, and HTTP.
19. Can Windows Storage Server 2003 be managed using popular enterprise management
utilities such as Systems Management Server, Tivoli, etc.?
A: Yes. Since this product is based on Windows Server 2003, all popular management
frameworks can be used to manage devices built on Windows Storage Server 2003.
20. What level of Microsoft Active Directory® integration is there with Windows Storage
Server 2003?
A: This product natively supports Active Directory, allowing devices to become full members of
existing domains. In addition, existing group policies can be used to manage access to Windows
Storage Server 2003 devices, which is not true for devices using operating systems other than
Windows. Note that this product cannot be a domain controller.
21. How scalable is Windows Storage Server 2003?
A: Capacity varies from 320 gigabytes (GB) to over 60 terabytes. Multiple devices can also be
added to the network to increase capacity as needed. The NTFS file system that powers
Windows Storage Server 2003 has no limits (over four billion tested) in terms of the number of
files on a volume and each NTFS volume can be up to 256 terabytes in size (tested).
22. Are devices built on Windows Storage Server 2003 fully redundant?
A: From single disk devices to fully redundant hardware configurations at the storage failover
level and the power supply and fans level. New features in Windows Storage Server 2003 that
can further increase redundancy are MultiPath IO (MPIO) and support for eight node clustering.
23. How does this product interact with Active Directory?
A: Windows Storage Server 2003 can authenticate and use existing Active Directory group
policies without the need for a dedicated server to manage the Active Directory service. This
makes integration into existing environments easier for administrators and less costly to
organizations.
24. How is antivirus protection implemented on Windows Storage Server 2003?
A: Windows Storage Server 2003 can run all popular Windows antivirus applications to scan data
on storage devices. There is no need for additional servers, and no performance impact due to
extra workload.
25. What are the high-availability features of Windows Storage Server 2003?
A: This product integrates Volume Shadow Copy Services (VSS) as a standard feature and
allows up to 512 point-in-time shadow copies of data per volume when integrated with
applications for rapid file recovery due to accidental deletion or corruption. In addition, the
Shadow Copies for Shared Folders feature (enabled by the in-box provider) provides 64 point-in-
time copies, as well as end user restore capabilities.
26. Other NAS devices have snapshots, so what makes the Windows Storage Server 2003
Volume Shadow Copy Services feature different?
A: This makes possible up to 512 point-in-time shadow copies per volume, which is critical to
manage a flexible shadow copy schedule, whether it be daily, weekly, or monthly. VSS is currently
the only snapshot technology that can integrate with applications to ensure high-fidelity backups.
27. Does Microsoft have a clear upgrade or migration strategy for this product?
A: Microsoft is committed to the storage market and so will ensure that Windows Storage Server
2003 is supported into the future and will be compatible with future storage offerings from
Microsoft.
28. Does Windows Storage Server 2003 support Internet Small Computer System Interface
(iSCSI)?
A: Windows Storage Server 2003 fully supports the iSCSI Software Initiator developed by
Microsoft.
29. Who should be buying this solution?
A: This solution is recommended for organizations with multiple existing file servers that are
experiencing growth in data requirements, or are looking to consolidate storage in one central
area.
30. Can Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) or Systems Management Server (SMS)
components be run on Windows Storage Server 2003 devices?
A: Any agent that can be run on Windows Server 2003 can be run on Windows Storage Server
2003 (CA Unicenter, MOM, SMS, Tivoli, OpenView, etc.).
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