Connect a NAS (Thecus N5200)

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Level 1

9 points

Connect a NAS (Thecus N5200)

I need some networking help. I have a new Thecus N5200 which I want to play well with my Mac Pro. I was hoping to connect directly somehow, with a crossover cable or other solution - so far, no success. If anyone has a solution I will be forever indebted! I am not a networking genius (not a computer-deficient, either) - details, loads of details, please!

thanks.

Mac Pro 2.66, Mac OS X (10.5.2), 4 gb ram

Posted on Feb 17, 2008 7:44 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 17, 2008 8:04 PM in response to bevatore

While I've never used a Thecus N5200, have you checked the following:

- Most NAS will require you to setup accounts and shares prior to starting, often done through a web interface

- Switch the firewall on your Mac off; once you have established a working setup you can try to activate it again step by step

- The NAS needs to have AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) enabled. If it doesn't support that, SMB may work alternatively

Your general idea (of directly connecting it to the Mac) is sound; and as far Is I know the Mac's network plugs can autosense whether or not it's a crossed connection or not.

A great source of information is http://www.infrant.com/forum - they sell their own NAS equipment but I guess you searching their great forums won't do much harm.

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Answer 2

bevatore Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 17, 2008 8:24 PM in response to tokyobeing

Thanks for the reply. As I have yet been able to connect successfully I have not been able to get the wizard to "find" the NAS. I have a standard cat 5 (also tried crossover) going between the WAN on the NAS to one of the ethernet outlets on the back of the Mac Pro. Still scratchin'...

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Feb 17, 2008 8:42 PM in response to bevatore

You shouldn't be using a crossover cable. If you are that's likely why you are having a problem.

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Answer 4

bevatore Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 17, 2008 8:52 PM in response to Kappy

thanks. i've actually tried both types of cables. i have a feeling i'm not understanding what the necessary network setting should be on the computer side... details, details...

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Answer 5

Feb 17, 2008 11:09 PM in response to bevatore

bevatore wrote:
....going between the WAN on the NAS to one of the ethernet outlets on the back of the Mac Pro.

You are not connecting the Thecus to the WAN - the WAN is the 'out there Internet'. There should be a LAN to plug the cable in.

Assuming I picked up on a mere mistype, the most likely case is that your N5200 and the Mac are on a different subnet (i.e. one on 192.168.168.x and another on 192.168.1.x). You will have to find out what the default setting is of the N5200 and then manually change your ethernet port on the Mac to the same subnet.

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Answer 6

bevatore Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 19, 2008 8:23 AM in response to tokyobeing

For anyone interested, FYI:

From Thecus:

1) You should be able to connect a computer directly to NAS unit, using a straight through cable (regular Ethernet cable). We've tested this in our lab, additionally it is one of the diagnostic suggestions when users are having difficulty connecting to Thecus NAS units. We are them specifically to do this, connect directly.

2) But recently we have had several users indicating that they too have difficulty doing the straight connect with a MAC Pro. Not sure what is different with MAC Pro's Ethernet.

3) For the time being, can you use a Hub/Switch/Router to connect your MAC to Thecus NAS unit. Be sure to connect to the Ethernet port that is the lowest (Label Port #1, called WAN Port in Web Admin User Interface)

4) Aftering using a Hub/Switch/Router, you should be able to connect to NAS unit.
a) Use Setup Wizard to config NAS to be in the same network as your computer.
(see page 11 of N5200 user manual)

b) Start a browser and login to NAS Web Admin page (Example: http://192.168.1.100/)

c) Create RAID for the installed Hard Disks
(Page 24)

d) After RAID creation is complete, which may take hours. Create folders in NAS.
(Page 28)

b) Connect MAC to NAS unit
(Page 56)

Once your MAC is able to connect to NAS unit, you should then be able to store files onto it.

Best Regards !

Thecus Support English Team

Thecus
http://www.thecus.com/

Thecus tSupport Center
http://support.thecus.com/

I ultimately connected to the N5200 through an old Netgear WGR614 as a switch/hub (I currently connect to the internet through an Airport Express). Initially, the Thecus set-up wizard asks to set password and then choose between a static IP address or DHCP. In my circumstance, this choice was the key. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to connect with a static IP, I changed this setting to DHCP and connected to the web-based wizard immediately (I'm probably not savvy enough to make the correct static settings on the computer). In addition to changing to the Thecus DHCP choice, the computer's ethernet is also set to DHCP, as well.

Next test is to see if a direct connection works after the RAID is configured...

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