The D-Link DNS-320 is a network-attached storage (NAS) device which targets mainly home users and small businesses. It is a safe enabling and an inexpensive means of sharing and managing information within a network for purposes of media streaming, file sharing, and backups. Among the most interesting elements that come with the DNS-320, is that there is an installation wizard that makes the whole process of installing the NAS device so easy such that even non-technical users can install and configure the device without any assistance.
This review aims to include all possible information regarding D-Link DNS-320 setup wizard within 3000 words, covering the installation, interface, features, advantages, and disadvantages of the review. Consequently, you will receive detailed information on how exactly this setup wizard functions, its purpose concerning NAS deconstructions, and if it fits your specification or not.
1. Overview of the D-Link DNS-320 Configuration Wizard
The D-Link DNS-320 Setup Wizard is a configuration tool that helps users prepare their DNS-320 NAS device for use. In other words, this tool walks the user through step by step how to install on a NAS, hard drives, create volumes, set up and configuring RAID, creating users, and also setting up networks. The wizard is great since it takes away the pain of having to do any configurations manually, which is advantageous to users who are beginners and may not understand how things work with networks and storage.
The wizard can either be found in the provided CD or can be obtained on the D-Link site via the internet. It runs efficiently on both Windows and Mac devices, ensuring that users of any capability can take advantage of its enticing installation procedure.
Setup Wizard’s Key Characteristics:
Guidance through the Setup Process: Users are assisted at every step of the setup process by the wizard.
Ease of Use: Clean, simple and easy to use, suitable for all user levels.
Ready-to-use Set Up: The pre-defined parameters may be used or the user may adjust the parameters to his/her needs.
Support in Different Languages: The wizard is offered in a way that it covers most of the users globally.
2. Getting started – unpacking and assembling the hardware
Again, before the software part is considered, the first and perhaps the most important aspect of working with the DNS-320 setup a wizard is the hardware installation. The second is that the DNS-320 is a dual-bay NAS, and therefore two hard drives need to be installed into it before the software part installation.
Step 1: Unboxing and Installing the Hard Drives
Unboxing the device is quite simple. The contents of the box include the DNS-320 device itself, a power adapter, an Ethernet cable, a quick installation manual and a packet containing software for the setup and user’s instructions.
The hard drives (not provided with the device) will need to be installed by the user. The DNS-320 accepts 3.5-inch SATA drives, and the installation does not require tools:
Pull the top lid of the NAS appliance
place the hard drives in the two slots available.
Fit them into position.
Replace the top lid.
When the drives have been properly inserted into the sockets you may now go ahead and insert the power adaptor and the Ethernet cable. The Ethernet cable in this case should be connected to either a router or a network switch to allow for LAN connection.
Step 2: Switching on the Machine
Upon completing the installation of the hardware, the next step is to switch ON the DNS-320 by pressing on the power button located at the front panel. After doing so, allow the device a few minutes to power up since this process involves detecting the switches and getting them ready. The operation of the various components of the device can be monitored by the LED lights on the front panel; these lights indicate whether there is power and network activity.
After power up, network connection, and another device within the network you can start with the software configuration.
3. Making Using of The Setup Wizard
The D-Link DNS-320 setup wizard can be found on the CD included in the package, or downloaded from the D-Link support page. After you have indicated the computer and distro to be used and the setup completes, the wizard can be run in order to start the process for setting up the NAS.
Step 1: Invoking the Setup Wizard
To activate the wizard:
Insert the provided CD into the computer’s CD/DVD Drive or fetch the software from the internet.
Then the software will be downloaded, and the download screen will appear abiding the user to install the wizard software on their machine.
Once the procedure is complete, the wizard application can be accessed through either its desktop icon or program menu.
Step 2: Finding the NAS Device on the Network
So once you commence the setup wizard, the first thing you need to do became the DNS-320 network. The wizard shall perform a local area network scan for the presence of elementary networks connected to D-Link NAS devices. Upon receiving a response from the DNS-320, it shall report back its IP address, and device name, as well as MAC address.
In case the device does not turn up, the wizard shall offer some solutions such as examining if the wires are connected or if the device in question is turned on.
Step 3: Initial Configuration Steps
As soon as the NAS is found by the software, the assistant will take care of the initial settings which cover the installation of the following main areas:
a. Network Configuration
The DNS-320 One Touch Network Attached Storage can be set to either have its IP address assigned automatically via DHCP or have a static IP assigned. Most home users for instance would find the simplified option of enabling DHCP which allows the router to automatically assign an IP address for the device appropriate. Small offices of networks reliant over control will of the course use the wizard also and choose to manually assign a static IP.
In case they want to have their NAS accessed at all times, those users who will be the target audience for this model will be advised to select an IP address and it will easier in case connect remotely or even set up port forwarding on their router.
b. Time and Date Settings
In this section, the wizard guides you in setting the appropriate time and date on the DNS-320, which is necessary for accurate logs and scheduling such processes as backups. The time may be set manually or with the help of an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server.
c. Admin Account Setup
In the course of the initial configuration, the wizard asks you to create an administrator’s account to manage the NAS. This account provides access to each and every setting and control of the device. It is often recommended to implement a robust password policy for the admin account in order to protect the NAS from unauthorized access.
4. Hard Disk Configuration and RAID Set-Up Operation
The following step that one needs to take in the entire process is hard drive configuration. The configuration of the drives is also simplified by the DNS-320 setup wizard as it creates a step by step guide on how to choose the right configuration for the drives.
RAID Options
The D-Link DNS-320 is also capable of supporting various RAID configurations and so if one goes through the setup wizard, he/she will be provided the opportunity to select the following:
RAID 0 (Striping): This is a data striping level that involves writing data across two adjacent drives. This increase the speed of access to the data stored. The flip side of this level of operation is that it does not include any data protection, therefore if any of the drives fails, all the data contained within will be lost.
RAID 1 (Mirroring): In this mode, the data is mirrored on both drives, that is, if one drive fails the data is still intact in the other. This is the better option for users for whom data safety is of utmost importance.
JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks): In this mode, the two hard drives are virtually combined to achieve a large capacity volume. This is less secure than RAID 1, however, it is more adaptive.
Individual Disks: Every single drive is designated as a discrete volume and hence users get to operate them independently.
The wizard talks about each RAID option, which helps the users select from them depending on their requirements. For home users who have valuable family photos or small businesses which have important files, RAID 1 is mostly advocated because if its lens of replication.
Once the RAID deployment is selected, the setup wizard will go ahead to format the drives and prepare and install appropriate file systems.
5. Creating Users and Shared Folders
After the configuration of the hard drives, the following procedure is to create user profiles as well as shared directories. The DNS-320 supports multiple users access to the NAS device and thus the setup wizard offers means of building such accounts.
Step 1: User Creation
The wizard gives you the ability to create user accounts which consist of a unique name and password. Each user can be assigned different access privileges which may include, but are not limited to:
Read-only access: Users may access and view the files, but they are not allowed to alter or remove the files.
Read/Write access: Users may access files, change them and even delete them.
User creation is primarily important for households or small offices where different people need to have access to certain information. For instance, while all files in a house may be open for the parents, the children may be restricted to only certain folders.
Step 2: Shared Folders
The configuration wizard also features an option to create shared folders, which can be accessed by any users over the network. It is possible to assign access rights to each folder, meaning that some information can be kept confidential, while other, non-sensitive material such as images or files connected to a specific project, can be made easily available.
Teamwork and cooperation in small offices among colleagues are made easier with the help of shared folders, as it makes it possible for colleagues to work on the same documents without having to send the documents by emails. Shared folders, in this case, may house audio-visual entertainment which can be accessed through various devices in the house.
6. Media Server Setup
For home users most commonly, one of the main purposes of D-Link DNS-320’s adoption is its application as a media server. For media server configuration purposes, the setup wizard contains options that provide for the facilitation of media streaming over networks using the protocols of DLNA and UPnP.
DLNA and UPnP Configuration
It is straightforward to set up media streaming by using this wizard. After that the NAS would be able to deliver any multimedia content (music, movies, pictures) to such devices as a Smart TV, а gaming console (Xbox, PlayStation) or other set top boxes.
Always users may select what shared folders will be used as media libraries, so streaming will be available only for appropriate content. This capability is particularly helpful in families that want to visit all their films in one place, and watch all of them from any device without any interruptions.
7. Backup Configuration
D-Link DNS-320 has also a great feature where it can be used as a backup device for computers and other devices within the network. D-Link DNS-320 setup wizard has also advanced features which makes it possible for users to perform backups without necessarily thinking of finding the secure storage of their data. Let us look into the backup configuration process step by step.
Backup Options Offered by the D-Link DNS -320
The D-Link DNS -320 is an impressive piece of work that has as many backup schemes as it can carry as follows:
Local backups: That is the backing up archive from one point in the NAS system to another or to other locations within the NAS system.
Remote backups: This involves saving data to a different storage or server unit attached to the network.
USB backups: This is backing up data to and from peripheral USB devices attached to the NAS unit.
Computer backups: It is the strorage of data within the NAS from D- link system software managed computers.
These options ensure flexibility, whereby users can develop unique backup strategies as per their resource requirements.
Step 1: Local Backups Configuration
The setup wizard comes in handy allowing the users to adjust and activate local backups in the shortest time possible. A local backup is a good choice for users who wish to have extra copies of important documents on the same NAS since they are less likely to get deleted. This is particularly helpful if a user is utilizing RAID 0 or JBOD configurations which do not have redundancy.
In order to create and configure local backups, proceed as follows:
Go to the Backup section within the setup wizard.
Click on Local Backup.
Select source folder (the folder that needs backing up) and destination folder (the folder to be backed up into).
Set the backup archiving period. Users are allowed to select daily, weekly or monthly back up – which will run automatically or manually in that period.
Step 2: Engaging the Remote Backup
Remote backups enable the user to move information stored in the DNS -320 to a different NAS or a server connected to the Internet. This is advantageous especially for companies that need to implement offsite back up for disaster recovery purposes.
To begin the procedure for creating a remote backup, perform the following steps:
In the backup options, choose Remote Backup in the setup wizard.
Thereafter input the address or domain of the remote NAS Device.
Provide authentication information needed for the remote device.
Specify the folders you want to back up and the periods of backup.
The feature of remote backup is able to cater for multiple protocols for instance FTP, Rsync hence can work with many devices and network environments.
Step 3: USB Backups
In the DNS-320, there is an opportunity of using a USB port in order to connect an external hard drive for backup purposes. Moreover, the installation wizard also allows a user to set up a routine backup plan between the NAS and the available external USB storage device.
In order to set up USB backups, the following steps should be performed:
Attach a USB storage device to the DNS-320.
From the wizard menu click on USB Backup.
Select the source (which can either be the NAS or the USB storage) and the target.
Define a backup schedule, or choose the option for manual backups.
This is beneficial when users who want to backup the information to the external storage media for safekeeping purposes.
Step 4: Computer Backups
In the D-Link DNS-320 configuration wizard, there is a stage where users can choose to install and use D-Link ShareCenter Sync, a program for backing up computer data on the NAS. This makes it possible for users to take backups of various files on their PCs and even folders, so that those files are safely stored away on the DNS-320.
After the computer version of this software is installed, it gives you the following capabilities:
Select particular files and folders that are to be archived.
Make provisions for the periodical backing up of data (eg., daily, every two days).
Manage your backups and evaluate their progress.
This functionality is beneficial for people who wish to store copies of valued items such as pictures, videos, and documents in the NAS appliance but do not wish to deal with backups.
8. Expanded Options for Configuration
The D-Link DNS-320 installation wizard is oriented more towards the user and basic installation, yet the network attached storage (NAS) device provides additional advanced features for power users managing their networks and storage.
Network Configuration and Services
The DNS-320 includes several network services that can be configured using the management application that runs from the web. These options however are much more than what the wizard allows. After the basic setup, one can still get access to them.
Some of the advanced additional networking features are:
Dynamic DNS (DDNS): This type of service allows a user to connect to the NAS over the internet via a domain name rather than an IP address, which can change over time whenever the service provider has a dynamic IP address configured. In this case, the wizard has provision for setting provision for DDNS although D-link has free DDNS service for its users for easy access when using remote locations.
VPN: For remote access to the dns-320’s nas storage over the internet, a vpn configuration is also possible on the device for businesses or users requiring an extra layer of protection.
The ftp server: This functionality of dns-320 allows the device to be configured as an ftp server for transferring data over the web. This comes in handy especially for enterprises where large files need to be sent to clients or workgroup members.
WebDAV: Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) allows users to retrieve and work on their files stored in remote file systems through the internet via a web browser or any WebDAV enabled application.
These capabilities allow the DNS-320 to be much more than a simple file storage device as it can operate as a full-fledged file sharing and remote access server.
Security Features
This is because data security is very important for many users, and the D-Link DNS-320 has a number of characteristics that help to keep sensitive data safe:
User and group permissions: The installation guide provides the option of assigning varying levels of access to different users or groups. For companies, some workers can have access to certain folders whereas others will not.
Encryption: DNS-320 allows data encryption, which helps to ensure that even loved ones do not have access to the files stored in the NAS if, for example, they manage to get the light box.
Firewalls and IP filtering: More advanced users could even customize its firewall settings and limit the access to the NAS based on its IP address.
However, those security features are not part of the setup wizard. In fact, they can be enabled in the advanced settings menu which is accessible through the NAS’s web interface.
9. Performance and Usability
Once the setup has been done, the performance and the usability of D-Link DNS-320 are determined mostly by the quality of one’s network and the configuration settings. In general, the setup wizard has made it possible for even the most inexperienced users to have their NAS ready for use in under one hour and with hardly any assistance from the manual.
User Experience
Perceived performance of the setup wizard is very good. Step by step instructions apart, the interface is user friendly making it easy for everybody, technical or otherwise, to set up the DNS-320. The setup wizard offers tips and explanations for each and every option, which is a definite advantage for most people who are not very good with networking or setting up a RAID.
Nevertheless, seasoned individuals may consider the installation wizard rather rudimentary. While it is alright in carrying out the primary settings, users who want to control aspects out of the limits of the wizard will have to use the web controlling system after the completion of the wizard.
APPROPRIATE FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE OTHERS
The DNS-320’s performance is also correlated to the network it is linked to and the RAID type set up. In terms of data security, RAID 1 is better, although its performance may suffer slightly because it duplicates data. On the flip side, RAID 0 is performance oriented forgetting about redundancy.
The DNS-320 is quite efficient given a well designed home or small office network during its typical operational scenarios, which include; files’ sharing and streaming, as well as taking backups. Its Gigabit Ethernet port enables fast transfer rates, while the DLNA/UPnP media server is efficient for the purposes of streaming media on smart televisions and game consoles.
10 .Drawbacks and Limitations
While the D-Link DNS-320 and its installation wizard is a multitude of beneficial options, there are some drawback factors that users need to consider.
Limited ¸Processor and RAM
The DNS-320 is a home as well as a small business use purpose built device therefore it is less powerful compared to some of the advanced NAS devices. It has a processor and RAM that is relatively low powered which is good for simple work but is likely to fail under heavy workloads and/or many users accessing it simultaneously. As a result, while performing heavy tasks such as range extended file transfers or media transcoding, even the graphics and other tasks run quite slowly.
No Hot-Swappable Drives Available
On the other hand, while working on the DNS-320, it is NOT POSSIBLE to change the hard drives mounted in the NAS while the power is still ON because hot-swappable drives are not supported on this device. Such a situation will be frustrating for the users wishing to increase their storage capacity or even change a spoiled hard disk without interruption of their network.
Minimal Support for External Applications
In contrast to some advanced NAS devices which provide a large pool of third-party applications, the DNS-320 falls somewhat short. It does have basic applications for streaming, media as well as storage, however, power users expecting applications for the likes of surveillance, virtualization, or development could be left disappointed with the app support offered.
11. Conclusion
The D-Link DNS-320 setup wizard presents a major highlight of this NAS device as it takes users through a simplified step by step process of configuring the device without having to struggle with complex setting configurations. It demystifies the often complicated subject of storage attached to a network making it fit for even a home user or small office.
Once again, the wizard contributes to the streamlined design by encompassing all necessary steps from hardware installation and RAID levels configuration to users’ set up with programming and data backups in order to ensure that the DNS-320 is up and running in no time. In spite of the fact that the unit may display a few drawbacks as regards its performance and upgradability, the price quoted is extremely attractive mainly to people who are in the market for a functional and straightforward NAS device.
In close, if you are after an inexpensive and comfortable NAS box for home usage where D-Link DNS-320 and its wizard are necessary yet easy to set up, you have come to the right place.