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NetPortal Guide
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TroubleShooting - Stand-alone Network Attached Storage (NAS)
The following tips will help you connect to your NAS device.
Can the app connect to my NAS?
- The SMB File Sharing Protocol
Most NAS units contain a cut-down version of Linux inside that uses software called 'Samba' to provide the file sharing protocol. Early versions of this software are quite buggy and the app has to work around these, but not all versions can be connected to yet.
We recommend that you try our free app NetPortalLite to test if it will connect to your NAS drive. If it does, NetPortal and FileBrowser should also be able to connect.
- Will mine work?
There are too many kinds of NAS unit for us to test, but here is a list of those we've seen working:
- Buffalo LinkStation
- Buffalo Terrastation
- DLink DNS-323
- DroboShare (FileBrowser's Compatibility Mode switch needs to be ON)
- FreeNAS
- Lacie 2Big NAS
- NetApp Filer
- NetCenter
- ReadyNAS
- Simpleshare NAS
- Western Digital MyBook World
- Western Digital wBook
Compatibility Mode Setting
Some NAS units require this setting to be switched on before you can log in. If FileBrowser reports 'Unknown User or Password' when you know these are correct, this is an indicator that you need to try Compatibility Mode.
Setting up a Connection
- FileBrowser's Address field
To start, try using the IP address of your NAS machine in the app. When that works, try using the device name instead.
- Finding the IP Address
This is usually shown on the status page of your NAS when you connect your browser to it.
- NetBIOS Setting
Depending on how your NAS is configured, you may need to enable this app setting. Try it first without NetBIOS enabled and then with.
Connection Errors
- User name and password
If the app reports the error 'Unknown user or password' and you are sure that these details are correct, this is an indication that the NAS Samba version is too old for the app to connect to.
- Firewall
A 'Timed out connecting' error from the app usually indicates that a firewall is blocking the network packets from app, preventing the NAS from seeing them. You need to configure it to allow "Windows File and Printer Sharing" or TCP Port 445.