Pre-Sales

• What are the various ReadyNAS NV models?
• What is the advantage of using X-RAID over RAID 5?
• When would it be appropriate to use RAID 5?
• What is the volume capacity when installing disks of different sizes?
• Is the ReadyNAS warranty transferable?
• Who covers the hard disk warranty?
• What support is available to ReadyNAS customers?
• What comes with a diskless ReadyNAS?
• Will Infrant provide data recovery service if needed?
• Does ReadyNAS support JBOD or some sort of non-RAID setup?
• Where can I post RMA requests?
• Does the ReadyNAS support sleep mode?
• Does the ReadyNAS support scheduled power on and off?
• What is the maximum number of users and groups on the ReadyNAS?
• Is there any limitation on filename length?
• What is largest file size that the ReadyNAS will support?
• What file system does ReadyNAS use? Can I read a disk from ReadyNAS on other machines?
• What is the ambient operating temperature range of ReadyNAS?
• Can I attach a tape drive to ReadyNAS?
• I am using ReadyNAS as primary storage, how do I backup my ReadyNAS?
• How do I decipher the different ReadyNAS model numbers?
• What is the difference between the ReadyNAS NV and NV+?
• Is SMB signing supported?

Pre-Sales

What are the various ReadyNAS NV models?

ReadyNAS NV General Model Configuration Diskless: RNV1-S2-0000

Other models with 1 or 2 disks should all be in X-RAID.

Model number Designation: Example: RNV1-S2-R425

If you purchase a diskless unit, then the last 4 digits should be '0000' (0000 - diskless units), i.e. the diskless system model number is RNV1-S2-0000

Spare parts for ReadyNAS NV:

Updated with 750GB disks, Sep06

* 1x750: RNV1-S2-X175 * 2x750: RNV1-S2-X275 * 4x750: RNV1-S2-X475 * 4x750 with RAID 5: RNV1-S2-R475

What is the advantage of using X-RAID over RAID 5?

The ReadyNAS systems support both RAID levels. RAID 5 is an industry-standard RAID level whereas X-RAID is an Infrant patented RAID technology that simplifies and automates the RAID management process. X-RAID utilizes a one-volume technology with built-in volume expansion support, either by adding more disks or by replacing existing disk with larger capacity disks. For instance, you can start out with one disk, and add up to 3 more disks when you need more capacity or when you can afford them. Volume management is automatic. Add a 2nd disk, it becomes a mirror to the first, providing protection from a disk failure; add a 3rd, the capacity doubles; add a 4th, and your capacity triples – the expansion occurring while maintaining redundancy.

X-RAID also provides further expansion capability. At a future point in time, each disk can be replaced one by one, have it finish rebuilding, and after the last disk is replaced, your volume automatically expands utilizing the new capacity. This future-proof technology allows you to continuously expand as higher-capacity disks become available.

Performance-wise, X-RAID is optimized for larger sequential access request pattern, such as video streaming and editing. Performance over RAID 5 in large data transfer can be as much as 15-20% better.

When would it be appropriate to use RAID 5?

Where X-RAID excels at large sequential transfers, RAID 5 performs better in smaller random access request pattern, fitting better in most office environments. Full volume management is available when you select RAID 5 (or Flex-RAID) mode. You can delete the existing volume and recreate one or more volumes, with each volume with different snapshot space and quota specification. You also have the flexibility of assigning an unused disk as a hot spare, allowing for the standby drive to kick in to replace a failed disk, minimizing the time where you may be vulnerable to a second disk failure.

In the future when you need more capacity, you can replace each disk one by one, and when the last disk is replaced, you can create another volume utilizing the new available space. This is in contrast to X-RAID where the single volume expands over the new space.

What is the volume capacity when installing disks of different sizes?

Volume capacity will be limited by the smallest disk. For example, if you are installing one 250GB drive and three 750GB drives, your data volume capacity will be limited to 250GB on each of the four disks. In Flex-RAID mode, you can utilize the leftover space on the 3 750GB disks by creating another data volume (3 x 500GB). With X-RAID, if you replace the single 250GB disk with a 750GB disk, your capacity will automatically expand, utilizing all 750 GB from each of the 4 disks.

Is the ReadyNAS warranty transferable?

All the ReadyNAS devices come with 5 years manufacture warranty from the date of purchase and is not transferable.

Who covers the hard disk warranty?

Hard disks are covered by the hard disk manufacturer. Typical hard disk warranty is either 3 or 5 years.

What support is available to ReadyNAS customers?

For customers with the Standard One-Year Limited Warranty, the support services include:

• 90-day phone support, M-F 9 AM - 5 PM PST
• 1 year e-mail or online chat problem solving service
• 1 year hardware replacement from date of product purchase with product registration

What comes with a diskless ReadyNAS?

A diskless ReadyNAS kit comes with everything you need except for disk drives.

• ReadyNAS unit
• Setup CDROM with documentation
• Getting Started Guide
• Ethernet cable
• Power cable
• Disk trays or brackets, and screws for hard disk installation
• Standard warranty card

Will NETGEAR provide data recovery service if needed?

NETGEAR will provide data recovery analysis and service for a fee. Each case will be vary in price based on time spent. NETGEAR Support can provide an estimate after doing an analysis.

Does ReadyNAS support JBOD or some sort of non-RAID setup?

ReadyNAS does not support JBOD, however, you can create a RAID 0 striped volume across all four disks or create a separate RAID 0 volume on each disk.

Where can I post RMA requests?

You can submit a RMA request through NETGEAR Support.

Does the ReadyNAS support sleep mode?

The ReadyNAS supports the optional disk sleep mode. In this mode, disks will go on standby after a specified time of inactivity.

Does the ReadyNAS support scheduled power on and off?

ReadyNAS NV+, 1100, Rev. B NV and Rev. B X6/600 support scheduled power on and off. Rev. A NV needs add-on to turn on this feature, see add-on notes for details.

What is the maximum number of users and groups on the ReadyNAS?

There is a limit of 32,000 users and 32,000 groups, however, depending on application, the ReadyNAS will support from 1 to 20 concurrent users. For large video files, the ReadyNAS can stream 4 HD-quality video without frame drops. For Microsoft Office-type applications, the ReadyNAS will handle many more concurrent users.

Is there any limitation on filename length?

Filename length is limited to 255 bytes. If filename contains only alphabet and numbers, this limitation is the same as most of client. However if filename contains Germanic umlaut, Chinese character, Kanji, etc., filename will be limited to less charactors. The maximum filename length will be 85 characters if filename cosists of only Chinese charactors.

What is largest file size that the ReadyNAS will support?

The ReadyNAS will support up to 1TB (terabyte) file size. Some protocols, such as HTTP will have a limitation where maximum file transfer size can be much less.

What file system does ReadyNAS use? Can I read a disk from ReadyNAS on other machines?

The ReadyNAS uses Linux Ext2/Ext3 file system. A typical Linux distro can mount and access the data from the disks.

What is the ambient operating temperature range of ReadyNAS?

0-40C. ReadyNAS will gracefully shut down if hard disk temperature exceeds safe level.

Can I attach a tape drive to ReadyNAS?

No, however you can attach a tape drive to a PC and backup files from the ReadyNAS.

I am using ReadyNAS as primary storage, how do I backup my ReadyNAS?

You can use the built-in FrontView Backup Manager to backup shares to a USB disk, another PC, or another ReadyNAS. Alternatively, you can use a PC, Mac, or Linux backup software to backup shares from the ReadyNAS.

How do I decipher the different ReadyNAS model numbers?

ReadyNAS NV General Model Configuration Diskless: RNV1-S2-0000 2TB in X-RAID: RNV1-S2-X450 2TB in RAID 5: RNV1-S2-R450 1TB in X-RAID: RNV1-S2-X425 1TB in RAID 5: RNV1-S2-R425 Other models with 1 or 2 disks in X-RAID mode. 1x500 : RNV1-S2-X150 2x500 : RNV1-S2-X250 1x400 : RNV1-S2-X140 2x400 : RNV1-S2-X240 1x250 : RNV1-S2-X125 2x250 : RNV1-S2-X225 Model number Designation (e.g. RNV1-S2-R425) RN - ReadyNAS V1 - NV product line version one S - Silver color 2 - 256 memory R - RAID 5 (X for X-RAID, R for Flex-RAID mode, e.g. RAID 0/1/5) pre-built system 4 - number of disc drives = 4 25 - disc drive size = 250GB If you purchase a diskless unit, then the last 4 digits are '0000' (e.g. RNV1-S2-0000) Spare parts for ReadyNAS NV RNV1-DTR1-4: Lockable Disk Tray, set of four RNV1-DTR1-1: Lockable Disk Tray, single RNV1-FAN1: 92 mm Chassis Fan RNV1-PSU1: AC Power Supply

What is the difference between the ReadyNAS NV and NV+?

First of all, the NV+ is an evolutionary running production change over the original NV. In retrospect, the NV itself was already improving through running production changes, and a lot of features we are introducing formally in the NV+ hardware had already started appearing in the latest batches of the NV, starting in August/September timeframe. So pretty much other than the LCD panel, the hardware on the NV+ is very much the same as the "rev B" NVs that we have been shipping. That said, I will post the improvement in the NV+ since the original NV which was introduced back in February this year. Keep in mind that the RAIDiator firmware runs across commonly across the ReadyNAS family, so the software features remain the same.

1. LCD panel. Feedback on status and event information are now available immediately just by glancing at the NV+. By default, the IP address and disk usage of the NV+ is displayed, so there's no guessing what IP the ReadyNAS is set for and how much disk space is still available. Also status and events such as disk failure, disk removal and insertion events, USB device events, overtemp condition, etc are displayed as soon as it's triggered. This is in addition to the alerts and logging you've grown to be accustomed to with the ReadyNAS. In addition, boot statuses are now in readable form, so you no longer need to rely on a LED chart to see what's going on. The LCD panel will shut itself off after 5 minutes if there are no failure condition. This prolongs the life of the LCD and eliminates the unnecessary glow if the NV+ powered on at night. Also, it keeps the nice clean look you're accustomed to with the NV.
2. Quiet power supply. The original NV had a small high-revving fan in the power supply that helped out in cooling the PSU components, but, let's just say, also caused the NV to be louder than it could be. The NV+ now uses a fanless power supply with updated components that can withstand the higher temps. This results in the NV+ being noticeably quieter than the original NV. The "rev B" NV also utilizes the same NV+ power supply. We value our original NV users, and will be providing a retrokit power supply kit that will allow for the same quiet operation.
3. Improved fan circuitry. The mainboard now has a more robust threshold for handling the wider a ranges or fan RPM. The original NV fan safe range was ~1900-2100 RPM. The NV+ now utilizes a fan that can span speeds from 1600-3000 RPM, allowing for a slightly quieter setting at idle mode, and allowing the fan to spin up high enough for the hottest drives in warmer climates and air condition-less rooms. The "rev B" NV also utilizes the same mainboard with a different fan that ranges from 1600-2400 RPM.
4. More robust scheduled power-on. The NV+ mainboard now handles scheduled power-on events more gracefully when there is no power to the unit. Previously with the original NV, a power-on event when no AC was applied would result in needing to release the battery before the NV would boot again. The "rev B" NV utilizes the same board so it will also handle this condition identically to the NV+.
5. Retrospect for Windows and Macs. The NV+ comes bundled with a 5-user license for Retrospect for Windows and Mac users. We have a growing Mac user base (which we love), and partnering with EMC to bring a quality backup program for both Windows and Macs was definitely a high priority. Now more users have a choice on how to safeguard their data -- centralizing backups with our integrated FrontView Backup Manager or using Retrospect where FrontView Backup is not feasible.

Is SMB signing supported?

Yes in almost all cases; however, it does degrade performance. The only case which does not support SMB signing at all is using the ReadyNAS built-in backup manager, with the Windows (Timestamp) protocol.