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Official unRAID Thread - Page 21

post #601 of 643
11/14/12 at 5:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff.lebowski View Post

I think you're better off looking for something that is compatible, instead of what isn't.

That's definitely what I'm trying to do, but everything that seems to be compatible has been discontinued. Thanks a lot for your time though.

I did some further research and found this board that looks like it might work.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157292

There are plenty of reports of the ASRock 880GM-LE board working, and this is the FX version. I don't really know what the difference is, but there were a couple reports of the current FX version working.

If I go with that board, I'm looking at the following AMD processors; Sempron 145, Athlon II X2 270, and Athlon II X3. I would like to leave the possibility of streaming to my ipad open, which I'm guessing would rule out the Sempron. That would leave the dual core vs triple core. The triple core I'm guessing is overkill but is actually $5 cheaper but is 95w vs 65w for the dual. Should I pay the extra $5 to go with the dual core?
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post #602 of 643
11/14/12 at 5:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff.lebowski View Post

Unfortunately, there's no "budget" motherboard that I can find either. I just bought my third mobo/processor/RAM used. You may have to buy a high end base for your system. On the upside, you don't need any 5 in 3 cages yet. I like this cage. Once you've exceeded the default capacity of the case and the four from this cage, then get a 5 in 3. Just my opinion.

You can also use external cases. I use five of them with my main unRAID for twenty of my drives. The parity and cache drive is in a 3 in 2 cage.
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post #603 of 643
11/14/12 at 5:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aaronwt View Post

You can also use external cases. I use five of them with my main unRAID for twenty of my drives. The parity and cache drive is in a 3 in 2 cage.

Can you expand on this, please?
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post #604 of 643
11/14/12 at 11:45pm
If I built my own unRaid server, anyone else can do it! biggrin.gif Even though, I am very satisfied with unRaid for my movie and TV Show streaming I do not like the following:

1) It is still in beta.
2) Programs AKA plugins are a PIA to install / use if you are new to Linux code like myself.

I am currently thinking of building a FlexRaid / Windows 7 server, and I'll be using my current unRaid server for back up only.

Again, if you want a simple and stable server for video streaming of your ripped media, unRaid will do the trick. If you want to do more than that, I would look else where. There will be a lot of other unRaid users who will tell you that you can do a lot more, which is true. However, they are either familiar or know how to use Linux code so it is easy for them to do more, but if you are like me then it will be a difficult task to do more.
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post #605 of 643
11/15/12 at 1:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff.lebowski View Post

Can you expand on this, please?
i initially went with external cases because I had several on hand.

In my main unRAID case, a Rosewill R363-M-BK case, I only have my cache and parity drive in an ICY DOCK MB973SP-B 3 in 2 trayless enclosure . I have two of the Rosewill RC-218 port multiplier PCIe x4 cards and one JMB362 port multiplier PCIe x1 card on my ASUS M2N68-AM PLUS motherboard. Each Rosewill card handles two external cases and the JMB card handles one external case. And I have four SANS DIGITAL TR4M 4 bay cases and one SANS DIGITAL TR5M 5 bay case. I use five drives in the five bay case, but only three drives in the 4 bay case attached to the JMB port multiplier card because that is only a PCIe x1 card so it doesn't have as much bandwidth.

here are some pictures of my main unRAID setup.






Edited by aaronwt - 11/15/12 at 2:03pm
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post #606 of 643
11/15/12 at 5:36pm
Oh wow. That's interesting for sure. Looks like that model is no longer available. Is there something else in its place?
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post #607 of 643
11/16/12 at 3:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GusGus748s View Post

If I built my own unRaid server, anyone else can do it! biggrin.gif Even though, I am very satisfied with unRaid for my movie and TV Show streaming I do not like the following:
1) It is still in beta.
2) Programs AKA plugins are a PIA to install / use if you are new to Linux code like myself.
I am currently thinking of building a FlexRaid / Windows 7 server, and I'll be using my current unRaid server for back up only.
Again, if you want a simple and stable server for video streaming of your ripped media, unRaid will do the trick. If you want to do more than that, I would look else where. There will be a lot of other unRaid users who will tell you that you can do a lot more, which is true. However, they are either familiar or know how to use Linux code so it is easy for them to do more, but if you are like me then it will be a difficult task to do more.

I am in a similar boat as I know very little about this stuff, can you elaborate what exactly you would like to do more in that you would prefer to move to flexraid?
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post #608 of 643
11/16/12 at 3:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Murilo View Post

I am in a similar boat as I know very little about this stuff, can you elaborate what exactly you would like to do more in that you would prefer to move to flexraid?

FlexRaid will be the storage / backup part of the server, but I will be using Windows 7 for everything else. So, I can install all of the programs that I want / need in windows 7 (primary OS) and FlexRaid (2ndary OS) will be in charge of handling file storage / management / back ups. It is a lot easier to install software in WIn 7 since I am familiar with it, than it is to do it with unRaid / Linux.
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post #609 of 643
11/17/12 at 5:28am
Can you give an example of what you would like to install or why you need it. Im just asking incase im not thinking of something.

Basically besides just serving media to my players, I would like to be able to put it to sleep and wake up when needed.

Not sure how difficult that would be with unraid. But I am curious if im missing other things i would want to do with it.
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post #610 of 643
11/17/12 at 8:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Murilo View Post

Can you give an example of what you would like to install or why you need it. Im just asking incase im not thinking of something.
Basically besides just serving media to my players, I would like to be able to put it to sleep and wake up when needed.
Not sure how difficult that would be with unraid. But I am curious if im missing other things i would want to do with it.

unRAID is basically asleep when it's not serving files. All disks are spun down by default (the delay is customizable), so all that's using power are the fans. For my bigger server with fourteen disks, that's about 75 watts. Both 5 in 3 cages have an 80mm fan, the 4 in 3 cage has a 120mm fan, there's a 120mm side intake fan, two 120mm exhaust fans on the top, and a rear 120mm exhaust fan. And finally the CPU heatsink fan.

These are the items that are drawing power when I'm not serving files.
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post #611 of 643
11/21/12 at 7:45am
My hardware is all set to be delivered today, so hopefully I'll get to piece this together over the holiday weekend. Before I do, I have just a few questions I was hoping to get answered. Keep in mind, I know my way around computers and have done basic builds before, but haven't done anything like this before. I've done a lot of reading between this thread and Lime Tech forums, but some of the jargon is a little over my head.

1) I currently have 3 3TB drives filled with data and an empty 1TB and 250GB. I'm also planning on buying 3-4 3TB drives to get this going. What should my basic drive configuration be? Is a cache drive beneficial for media server usage?

I had it in mind to use the 1TB for cache, a 3TB for parity, and then the rest of the 3TB drives for data. Are there any problems/disadvantages of going with that setup?

2) Am I able to use drives that already have data on them, or will I have to install the new drives, move the data over, then add the old drives to the array?

3) Do I need to format the drives that already have data on them before using them, or will unRAID do that for me?

4) Once I get all the hardware put together, is it really as easy as just booting from the USB drive (with pre loaded unRAID software) and pulling up the server from my PC browser? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but that just seems too easy.
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post #612 of 643
11/21/12 at 8:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_Galt View Post

My hardware is all set to be delivered today, so hopefully I'll get to piece this together over the holiday weekend. Before I do, I have just a few questions I was hoping to get answered. Keep in mind, I know my way around computers and have done basic builds before, but haven't done anything like this before. I've done a lot of reading between this thread and Lime Tech forums, but some of the jargon is a little over my head.
1) I currently have 3 3TB drives filled with data and an empty 1TB and 250GB. I'm also planning on buying 3-4 3TB drives to get this going. What should my basic drive configuration be? Is a cache drive beneficial for media server usage?
I had it in mind to use the 1TB for cache, a 3TB for parity, and then the rest of the 3TB drives for data. Are there any problems/disadvantages of going with that setup?
2) Am I able to use drives that already have data on them, or will I have to install the new drives, move the data over, then add the old drives to the array?
3) Do I need to format the drives that already have data on them before using them, or will unRAID do that for me?
4) Once I get all the hardware put together, is it really as easy as just booting from the USB drive (with pre loaded unRAID software) and pulling up the server from my PC browser? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but that just seems too easy.

1) The cache drive is beneficial for transferring files faster to the server. It transfers at a faster rate since it isn't writing to the parity drive. However, once it transfers to the cache drive, it then has to transfer to the array and parity drive. The other benefit for a cache drive is if you want to use other plugins such as couch potatoe, SBZ, etc.

2) You will need to install new drives. It is recommended to run the pre-clear script, thereafter they will be formatted, and then you can add them to the array. What I did I install and pre-clear 3 2TB drives. I added them to the array as DATA DRIVES only, I transferred all of my data and then I assigned a parity drive.

3) See # 2.

4) Booting from the USB will only if your MOBO is set up for it. Some MOBO will read USB automatically. Other you will have to go to the BIOS and make the USB as primary drive or boot from hard drive option.


I've been using unRaid for a little over 1 year, and it is an excellent server for storing and streaming my media ONLY. However, it is a little complicated if you want to use it for other stuff specially if you are not Linux knowledgeable. I am currently looking at building another server and I will be using a combination of FlexRaid and Windows 7. I would suggest to look into it before you commit to unRaid. In my opinion it has more flexibility than unRaid. After I build the FlexRaid server, I will be using my unRaid server for back ups only.
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post #613 of 643
11/21/12 at 9:30am
Thanks for the quick reply.

So the cache drive isn't particularly useful for media streaming once you get all your data transferred over? Given that my 3TB data drives aren't going to be filled at this point and I have available bays, is there any reason not to use the 1TB drive as a cache? I realize there will come a point where I will need that bay for a higher capacity drive to add to the array, but I can reevaluate at that point.

I'm only interested in using this as a media server (and basic data backup), so I was thinking unRAID was the best option for that. I'm looking into FlexRAID now to see what benefits that would have over unRAID. Would drive configuration basically work the same (13 data, 1 cache, 1 parity)?
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post #614 of 643
11/21/12 at 9:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_Galt View Post

Thanks for the quick reply.
So the cache drive isn't particularly useful for media streaming once you get all your data transferred over? Given that my 3TB data drives aren't going to be filled at this point and I have available bays, is there any reason not to use the 1TB drive as a cache? I realize there will come a point where I will need that bay for a higher capacity drive to add to the array, but I can reevaluate at that point.
I'm only interested in using this as a media server (and basic data backup), so I was thinking unRAID was the best option for that. I'm looking into FlexRAID now to see what benefits that would have over unRAID. Would drive configuration basically work the same (13 data, 1 cache, 1 parity)?

Cache drive would be useful if you want to transfer files faster or if you are using couch potatoe, sickbeard, etc. Then it is recommend it to install those applications / plugin in the cache drive rather than you USB drive. FlexRaid is similar to unRaid, but FlexRaid has the option to have more than 1 parity drive in case of multiple drive failure. I also like the idea of having a secondary OS for installing programs.
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post #615 of 643
11/21/12 at 10:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_Galt View Post

Thanks for the quick reply.
So the cache drive isn't particularly useful for media streaming once you get all your data transferred over? Given that my 3TB data drives aren't going to be filled at this point and I have available bays, is there any reason not to use the 1TB drive as a cache? I realize there will come a point where I will need that bay for a higher capacity drive to add to the array, but I can reevaluate at that point.
I'm only interested in using this as a media server (and basic data backup), so I was thinking unRAID was the best option for that. I'm looking into FlexRAID now to see what benefits that would have over unRAID. Would drive configuration basically work the same (13 data, 1 cache, 1 parity)?

A cache disk helps with incoming data, NOT outgoing. So no. tongue.gif

During intial transfer of data, the cache disk works against you. There is so much data to transfer that it will fill up quickly, then you're waiting for it to empty. If you want to use specific add ons that are best when coupled to the cache disk and really want the faster transfer speeds after the server is done, then try it. I would rather use an empty bay for data storage.
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post #616 of 643
12/17/12 at 1:54pm
Alright, I've got everything pieced together and am in the final stages before booting up. Just a couple more issues I encountered over the weekend:

1) I have 3 of the Norco SS-500 units. They have 2 molex connectors on each of them. My PSU does not have this many molex connectors. While I was researching this, I found that these were redundant power connections and some people said it was only necessary to hook up one, while others said it absolutely makes a difference and to hook up both. To hook up both, you couldn't simply split the one as that wouldn't make a difference, instead they both need to come from separate strands from the PSU. My PSU only has 1 strand of molex, and 1 strand of SATA. Does it make any difference to use the SATA to Molex adapters to hook up the second strand? Or should I get a new PSU?

2) Should I get a new PSU anyway? While researching the above issue, it made it sound like I was really pushing it with my current CPU. I will have 15 green drives powered by a CX500. All the configuration pages I read during the design phase made it sound like this would be fine, but I'm starting to second guess myself....especially if I should be looking at one anyways for the above reason.

3) If I do need to replace the PSU, does it make since to go ahead and start moving data over while waiting for the new unit to arrive (ie, will I risk data loss by swapping out a PSU)?
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post #617 of 643
12/17/12 at 5:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_Galt View Post

Alright, I've got everything pieced together and am in the final stages before booting up. Just a couple more issues I encountered over the weekend:
1) I have 3 of the Norco SS-500 units. They have 2 molex connectors on each of them. My PSU does not have this many molex connectors. While I was researching this, I found that these were redundant power connections and some people said it was only necessary to hook up one, while others said it absolutely makes a difference and to hook up both. To hook up both, you couldn't simply split the one as that wouldn't make a difference, instead they both need to come from separate strands from the PSU. My PSU only has 1 strand of molex, and 1 strand of SATA. Does it make any difference to use the SATA to Molex adapters to hook up the second strand? Or should I get a new PSU?
2) Should I get a new PSU anyway? While researching the above issue, it made it sound like I was really pushing it with my current CPU. I will have 15 green drives powered by a CX500. All the configuration pages I read during the design phase made it sound like this would be fine, but I'm starting to second guess myself....especially if I should be looking at one anyways for the above reason.
3) If I do need to replace the PSU, does it make since to go ahead and start moving data over while waiting for the new unit to arrive (ie, will I risk data loss by swapping out a PSU)?

1) I connect both molex connectors to the cages. Just because. I use a combination of both power strands. Depends on what I'm doing. Look at adapters/splitters and make a decision best for you. It might be a good idea to order six or so of each kind of splitter and adapter. Just to have on hand.

2) My first build has fourteen disks; four are singles (not in cages), and ten are in 5 in 3 units. That requires four sata power and four molex power. Add in case fans, and I've got splitters/adapters and what not making up the difference. StarTech makes some, so does Athena. You'll be fine splitting the supplied power cables.

3) I had a 500 watt Corsair in my fourteen disk server, and would occasionally see errors that were likely related to power starvation. I won't skimp on a PSU. It's 650w/+12V@54A minimum for me. Swapping the PSU would not cause data loss. Just make sure everything is connected correctly. You might have to slide out the cages a little bit. Just go slow. Maybe label the sata cables before you start. Draw a picture showing you what port one is, what port two is, etc. Then label them as you pull them. ONE AT A TIME.
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post #618 of 643
12/17/12 at 7:59pm
Thanks, and I drew a diagram and documented model #s and serial #s as I was going, so I should have all that covered.
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post #619 of 643
1/5/13 at 10:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_Galt View Post

Thanks, and I drew a diagram and documented model #s and serial #s as I was going, so I should have all that covered.

Did you get your server up and running? Curious how that mobo worked for you. I'm struggling to find a "tested" budget board that hasn't been discontinued and would like to follow in your footsteps if it works well.

Thanks!
Nate
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post #620 of 643
1/5/13 at 1:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff.lebowski View Post

A cache disk helps with incoming data, NOT outgoing. So no. tongue.gif
During intial transfer of data, the cache disk works against you. There is so much data to transfer that it will fill up quickly, then you're waiting for it to empty. If you want to use specific add ons that are best when coupled to the cache disk and really want the faster transfer speeds after the server is done, then try it. I would rather use an empty bay for data storage.

I use a cache drive that is the same size as my parity drive for a warm spare. If the parity drive dies for some reason, I can just switch over my cache drive to the parity position. Mine are both 2TB drives since those are also the largest storage drives I have. I have never come anywhere close to filling up my cache drives, especially now that I have my data transfer every hour from the cache drive. But it will make things easier if I ever have a problem with the parity drive. Or even if I have an issue with one of the data drives. I can just quickly replace it and run without a cache drive for while if I need to.
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post #621 of 643
1/12/13 at 4:33pm
I have one of the 2u units and finally got it up and running with unRAID. I'd like to run it with just a single power supply plugged in and save the other for if the first fails somewhere down the road. But it has a constant alarm BEEEEEP!!!!!!!!!. I can't find anything in the bios to turn that off. I seem to remember someone saying that silencing this could be done but a search of this thread didn't yield a result.

Any ideas?
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post #622 of 643
1/13/13 at 9:26am
The above post was posted in this thread in error, sorry, disregard.
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post #623 of 643
1/18/13 at 6:54am
Is there a way to remotely access an unRaid server? Other than using something like Logmein where I need to have a client computer running. I don't have a keyboard or monitor connected to my unRaid at the moment. It's just sitting on my network, visible to my client PC's and media players.
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post #624 of 643
1/18/13 at 8:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dropzone7 View Post

Is there a way to remotely access an unRaid server? Other than using something like Logmein where I need to have a client computer running. I don't have a keyboard or monitor connected to my unRaid at the moment. It's just sitting on my network, visible to my client PC's and media players.

Apparently, doing this safely is very risky. It's generally better to simply access your desktop on the same network using Logmein, then administrate the unRAID server that way. This doesn't help for video/audio playback, obviously.
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post #625 of 643
1/18/13 at 10:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dropzone7 View Post

Is there a way to remotely access an unRaid server? Other than using something like Logmein where I need to have a client computer running. I don't have a keyboard or monitor connected to my unRaid at the moment. It's just sitting on my network, visible to my client PC's and media players.

If you're talking about accessing it from the same network, then yes. You can telnet to it (I like putty for that) or you can use a web browser to access it via //tower or //IP ADDRESS.
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post #626 of 643
3/18/13 at 5:07pm
First, let me start by saying...I have a question, that would probably be easiest answered by the streamers; especially anyone running both unRAID and a Dune Smart series box. But I'll get to that shortly.

I'd like to also say...here...what a great product I think unRAID is. I'm the kind, who mostly ignores his file-server; until there's a reason not to...lol. Well...my 6.5T array, finally started to run out of room; and I decided to take the plunge, and go 3T on the parity, and put the old 2T in the data-pool. Of course that meant jumping from venerable, 'ole 4.7 to 5.0-rc11. Well...knock on wood; but it couldn't have gone easier. Every time I do have to deal with something on this level, I always come away thinking more and more of the firmware and the group that supports it! Now...if this 1st pre-clear would just finish already (32.5 hours and counting frown.gif).

Now...the one issue I am running into, is all of my devices seem to see the server and shares; Squeezeboxes, WDTV Live, etc. The one exception is my Dune Smart D1. Even browsing through SMB, the D1 sees the server...but shows the shares to be "empty". I have been reading, about the jump to 5.0...and share, permission, and SMB issues. I thought I got lucky...and it appears mostly did; but anyone have any ideas here?

I seem to remember something...wayyy back during the initial set-up...about the Dune needing a default user or something? Am I on the right track? Thanks

P.S. I'm also going to post this in one of the Dune threads.
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post #627 of 643
3/18/13 at 10:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post

First, let me start by saying...I have a question, that would probably be easiest answered by the streamers; especially anyone running both unRAID and a Dune Smart series box. But I'll get to that shortly.

I'd like to also say...here...what a great product I think unRAID is. I'm the kind, who mostly ignores his file-server; until there's a reason not to...lol. Well...my 6.5T array, finally started to run out of room; and I decided to take the plunge, and go 3T on the parity, and put the old 2T in the data-pool. Of course that meant jumping from venerable, 'ole 4.7 to 5.0-rc11. Well...knock on wood; but it couldn't have gone easier. Every time I do have to deal with something on this level, I always come away thinking more and more of the firmware and the group that supports it! Now...if this 1st pre-clear would just finish already (32.5 hours and counting frown.gif).

Now...the one issue I am running into, is all of my devices seem to see the server and shares; Squeezeboxes, WDTV Live, etc. The one exception is my Dune Smart D1. Even browsing through SMB, the D1 sees the server...but shows the shares to be "empty". I have been reading, about the jump to 5.0...and share, permission, and SMB issues. I thought I got lucky...and it appears mostly did; but anyone have any ideas here?

I seem to remember something...wayyy back during the initial set-up...about the Dune needing a default user or something? Am I on the right track? Thanks

P.S. I'm also going to post this in one of the Dune threads.

Did you run your permission script? and after running it did you reboot your server? Did you make your server "LOCAL MASTER"?
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post #628 of 643
3/19/13 at 4:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GusGus748s View Post

Did you run your permission script? and after running it did you reboot your server? Did you make your server "LOCAL MASTER"?

Nope. I'm doing a parity-swap right now...but I'll try that tonight GG. By "permissions script", I assume you mean under Utils>'new permissions'? Anything I might need to know after that step? Thanks
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post #629 of 643
3/19/13 at 7:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post

Nope. I'm doing a parity-swap right now...but I'll try that tonight GG. By "permissions script", I assume you mean under Utils>'new permissions'? Anything I might need to know after that step? Thanks

Yes, utils >> new persmissions. Run that, then reboot your server. Also make sure Local Master is set to on.
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post #630 of 643
3/19/13 at 7:36am
I believe the issue is probably with the Dune itself rather than unraid. The network browser on the Dune is quirky and many times won't show shares or folders if you try to navigate to them via the Dune's network browser. I recently ran up against this at my house. I moved and had to resetup my entire network which entailed a new router and ip addresses for my devices. The Dune would see Tower but not any shares underneath. I manually created a shortcut to my top level shares ("Media" and "Music") and was then able to create shortcuts to the folders underneath them ("TV Shows", "Movies", "Zappiti", etc.).

Good to hear the switch to v5 is going well. I've been too scared to try it but I will need to soon. I've got 14 2TB data drives in mine with a cache and a parity so I've only got 4 free bays on my 20 bay box which doesn't give me a lot of room for expansion. I'll need to start loading in 3TB drives soon...
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