ZyXEL NSA221/NSA320 2-Bay Media Server / 2-Bay Power Media Server

Introduction and Application Diagrams

The ZyXEL NSA221/NSA320 is a 2-Bay Media Server and 2-Bay Power Media Server designed for easy streaming, sharing, and storage of digital content. It offers PC-free downloads from various protocols like eMule, BT, FTP, and HTTP, making it convenient to manage your media library without needing a computer to be constantly on.

Application Diagram Overview:

The device connects to your home or office network via a router (e.g., NBG-4615 Wireless N Gigabit Router). It can be accessed from the internet for PC-free downloads. Media content can be streamed to devices like Smart TVs or Game Consoles. It also supports connections from Digital Cameras and USB Mass Storage Devices.

ZyXEL Green Features:

• Smart Fan: Optimizes cooling efficiency.
• Power Scheduling: Allows users to schedule power on/off times.
• HD: Supports high-definition media.
• Hibernation: Enables power-saving modes.

Key Specifications:

• 2-Bay media server with capacity of up to 4TB.
• DLNA 1.5-certified media server, compatible with a wide range of media devices.
• zPilot™ for media auto classification with easy drag-and-drop.
• Online auto-upgrade firmware service.
• Runs eMule/BitTorrent/FTP/HTTP downloads independent of PC.

Contact Information (Thailand):

ZyXEL (Thailand) Co.,Ltd.
Head Office: 1/1 Moo 2, Ratchaphruek Road, Bang Rak Noi, Mueang, Nonthaburi 11000
Tel: 0 2831 5315 Fax: 0 2831 5395
Service Center: 25/46 Moo 8, Rattanathibet Road, Mueang, Nonthaburi 11000
ZyXEL Network Solution Center: Fortune Town Building, 2nd Floor, Unit 038 (near Glass Elevator 1)

Certifications: FC, CEO, ROHS VERIFIED

Support: 24 Hr Call Center: 02832 0600

Hardware Overview

The NSA221/NSA320 features a user-friendly design with accessible front and rear panels.

Front Panel:

• Power LED: Indicates power status.
• LED Indicator: Shows status for System, HDD1, HDD2, USB, and Copy functions.
• USB 2.0 Port: For connecting external storage or peripherals.
• Copy/Sync Button: Initiates file copy or synchronization.
• Gigabit Ethernet Port: For network connection.
• Power Connector: For the power adapter.
• Kensington Security Slot: For physical security.
• Power Cord Storage Hook: For cable management.

Rear Panel:

• Power LED: Indicates power status.
• USB 2.0 Port: For connecting external storage or peripherals.
• Fan: For cooling the device.
• Kensington Security Slot: For physical security.
• Power Cord Storage Hook: For cable management.
• USB 2.0 Port: For connecting external storage or peripherals.
• Gigabit Ethernet Port: For network connection.
• Power Connector: For the power adapter.

Device Panel Light Status Table:

Functional Description

The NSA221/NSA320 is a device that facilitates sharing of file resources and data backup for small networks. You can watch videos, listen to music, and display photos stored on the NSA221/NSA320 using media client software on your computer or devices like the DMA-2501.

Usage Scenario:

The diagram illustrates home or small office usage. Users can back up and share data stored on the NSA221/NSA320. This allows devices like the DMA-2501 to stream multimedia files to a display. External USB Drives can be used for expanded storage or for copying/transferring data between the NSA and the USB drive. It is recommended to install the device behind a Firewall or IDP (Intrusion Detection and Prevention) system for protection against unauthorized access.

Diagram: A network diagram shows the NSA221/NSA320 connected to a router, with connections to a PC, USB HDD, DMA-2501, and potentially the internet.

Hard Disk Installation

Caution: Always turn off the NSA221/NSA320 before installing or removing hard disks.

1. Disconnect the power and Ethernet cables from the NSA221/NSA320.
2. Use a flat object or coin to press the latch on the underside of the front cover.
3. To install the hard disk rail into the NSA, assemble it on both the left and right sides of the hard disk, and point the triangular end of the rail towards the side with the HDD Slot pins.
4. Slide the hard disk tray into the NSA221/NSA320.

Initial Setup and Connection

The NSA221/NSA320 can be set up using the included Discovery Utility or by direct access via a web browser.

Connecting the NSA221/NSA320:

1. Connect an Ethernet cable from the rear LAN port of the NSA221/NSA320 to a network switch or router.
2. Connect the power adapter to the NSA221/NSA320's power port and plug the adapter into a power outlet.
3. Press the Power button on the front panel to turn on the device. Observe the front panel lights. If no lights appear, ensure the power cable is secure and the power source is active. The Power button light should be blue, and the Sys light should turn green after approximately 50 seconds upon successful startup.

Accessing Setup via Discovery Utility (Windows):

1. Insert the setup CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive and click 'Setup' when prompted.
2. If the setup screen does not appear, navigate to the CD-ROM drive in Windows Explorer (My Computer) and double-click 'setup.exe'.
3. After installation, launch the 'NSA Starter Utility' from the Start Menu -> All Programs -> ZyXEL -> NSA Starter Utility.
4. Click the NSA221/NSA320 button on the utility screen to proceed.

Accessing Setup Directly via Web Browser:

1. Open Internet Explorer or another web browser.
2. Type 'nsa221/NSA320' (or the device's IP address) into the address bar and press Enter or click Go.

Logging into NSA221/NSA320:

1. Use the default username 'admin' and password '1234', then click Login.
2. Ensure Caps Lock is not active.

Setting a New Password:

After the initial login, you will be prompted to set a new password. Enter your desired password and click 'Apply'. If you wish to skip this step for now, click 'Ignore'.

Default Configuration:

You can configure the NSA's IP Address by selecting 'Default Configuration'.

System Settings

The NSA221/NSA320 offers extensive system configuration options to tailor its functionality to your needs.

System Settings:

• Server Name: Set a name for your NSA.
• Description: Add a description for the server.
• Work Group: Specify the Work Group the NSA belongs to.

Date/Time:

Configure the device's date and time. You can set it manually or synchronize it with an NTP server. Time Zone and Daylight Saving Time settings are also available.

Network Settings:

• TCP/IP: Configure IP address, DNS, and subnet mask. Supports dynamic or static IP assignment. Options for enabling Jumbo Frame are also available.
• UPnP Port Map: Allows mapping local ports to external ports for easier access to services from outside the local network.

Storage:

Manage your storage devices. Supports RAID configurations, including JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks).

Initial Setup Wizard:

When accessing the device for the first time, a setup wizard guides you through initial configurations, including network settings and user accounts.

Media Server and Content Management

The NSA221/NSA320 excels as a media server, allowing you to stream and manage various types of digital content.

Music:

Enable the Media Server to play music files directly through the web interface. Organize music by Folder, Album, Artist, Genre, or view all tracks. You can see what is currently playing.

Photo:

Access and display photo collections. Enable the Media Server to view photos by Folder, Date, or All. You can also set up automatic slideshows.

Video:

Stream video files via the web interface. Requires a compatible media client like Video LAN Client (VLC) to be installed on the client device.

Favorite:

Create custom folders for frequently accessed content, such as music playlists or photo albums, for quick access. Supports creating, renaming, and deleting favorite folders.

File Browser:

Browse all files stored on the NSA. Allows for creating, deleting, and modifying folders directly through the web interface.

Application Zone:

Manage installed add-on applications. View the status of applications, whether they are installed or enabled.

Download Services

The NSA221/NSA320 supports various download services, allowing you to download content directly to the device.

Download Service:

Configure automatic downloads from external servers. Supports managing download tasks, specifying download locations, and setting download policies.

BitTorrent:

Download BitTorrent files directly. Configure maximum upload speed, number of concurrent download tasks (up to 10), and connection limits (up to 500 connections).

eMule:

Utilize eMule for peer-to-peer file sharing. Offers a search engine and access to numerous servers for finding a wide variety of files, including e-books and research papers. While potentially slower than BitTorrent, it provides access to a broader range of content.

• eMule Server Management: Connect to servers, manage server lists, and configure eMule settings.
• Task Management: Add and manage eMule download tasks.

Web Publishing:

Enable web publishing to share files via HTTP. Configure ports, select folders to share, and choose between HTTP and HTTPS for secure access.

RSS Feed:

Subscribe to RSS feeds to automatically download content such as news, media files, and updates. Configure download policies (All, New, Manual) and delete policies.

• Add Feed: Enter the URL of the RSS feed.
• Download Policy: Choose how to download items (All, New, Manually).
• Delete Policy: Set rules for deleting downloaded items.
• Location of Downloaded Files: Specify directories for incomplete and completed downloads.

File Synchronization and Backup

The NSA221/NSA320 provides tools for file synchronization and backup.

Copy/Sync Button:

Use the Copy/Sync button for quick file transfers between USB devices and the NSA. Configure settings via the Web Config interface.

• Copy Settings: Select source and destination folders for copying files. Define copy direction (USB to NSA, NSA to USB). Option to create new folders and backup replaced files.
• Sync Settings: Synchronize files between USB devices and the NSA. Define sync direction (USB to NSA, NSA to USB, or bidirectional NSA <-> USB). Option to backup replaced or removed files.

BackupPlanner:

Schedule automated backups of your data. Configure backup tasks and destinations.

Advanced Features and Management

Explore advanced features for enhanced functionality and management.

Package Management:

Install additional applications to extend the NSA's capabilities. This includes applications like eMule for P2P downloads.

NFS (Network File System):

Configure NFS shares to allow network access to storage. Supports enabling/disabling NFS server, adding NFS shares, managing share properties (name, comment, access permissions), and viewing active NFS sessions.

S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology):

Monitor the health and performance of your hard drives. Provides detailed reports and graphical analysis.

PHP-MYSQL-phpMyAdmin:

A web-based tool for managing MySQL databases.

WordPress:

Install and manage WordPress blogs directly on the NSA.

Auto Upload (Flickr, YouTube, FTP):

Automatically upload media files (photos, videos) to online services like Flickr and YouTube, or to an FTP server. Configure account details, folder selection, and upload settings.

Sharing:

Manage user access and file sharing permissions. Create individual user accounts, group users, and define share properties (name, volume, owner, access control).

Maintenance:

Power Management: Configure power settings, including keeping former status, always powering on, always powering off, and setting power control schedules (power on, power off, reboot).

System Information and Utilities

Access system logs, perform firmware upgrades, and manage device configurations.

Log:

View system logs categorized by User, Share, Storage, Network, System, Service, Auto Upload, and Backup. Configure email notifications and Syslog for event reporting.

FW Upgrade:

Update the device's firmware to the latest version for improved performance and security.

Shutdown:

Options to restart or shut down the NSA221/NSA320.

Configuration:

Backup and restore device settings. This is useful for migrating configurations or recovering from changes.

SSL:

Enable SSL encryption for secure data transmission between clients and the NSA. Requires a certificate for authentication.

Hard Drive Compatibility List

The following table lists compatible hard drives for the NSA221/NSA320. This list was last updated on 2010.06.17. For the most current information, please check www.zyxel.com.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, refer to the following common troubleshooting steps.

Cannot Log in to NSA221/NSA320:

1. Ensure the NSA221/NSA320 is powered on.
2. Check network cable connections. The LAN port on the NSA221/NSA320 should be lit or blinking.
3. If logging in directly using the server name (default 'nsa221/nsa320'), ensure it is typed correctly. If it fails, try using the Discovery Utility.
4. Verify that your PC's IP address is on the same subnet as the NSA221/NSA320. Use the Discovery Utility to find the NSA's IP address.
5. Ping Test: From your computer's command prompt, type 'ping [NSA221/NSA320 IP Address]' and press Enter.
• A 'Reply from...' message indicates successful communication.
• A 'Request timed out...' message indicates a communication failure. Check network connections and device settings.
6. Ensure you are using a compatible web browser (Internet Explorer 6.0+, Mozilla Firefox 1.07+, Netscape Navigator 7.0+, or newer) with JavaScript enabled.

For further technical assistance, contact ZyXEL support at 0 2642 0900 (24 hours).