Thank you for choosing SNS!
We've compiled the information below to help you easily use the latest versions of our products. Along the way, we'll also drop in some very basic tips to help you get started and save time.
If you have any technical questions, you can communicate with our support team by opening a new case.
If you have a sales related question, please contact our sales team by using this online form.
If you want to stay up-to-date with our new releases and learn about new features and fixes, subscribe to our newsletter and check our Announcements page.
If you're looking for documentation, here are some quick help links.
Please contact us if you would prefer to set up a remote-assisted installation for your new storage system.
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To get started, click one of the links below...
« EVO Storage System »
Your EVO was shipped with our latest server software installed, so most likely the only thing you'll need to download to your workstation will be the desktop version of ShareBrowser (or choose to use the online version installed in EVO).
New Users
So you've just received a new EVO storage system and you're about to start setting things up, eh? Depending on the complexity of your environment, you could be integrating several new and existing components together (servers, cables, network adapters, etc). We've found that sticking to the following generic outline can help make the whole process a bit easier...
The best place to start is to follow the instructions in the Getting Started foldout which is included with your EVO (and attached at the end of this document). The foldout will give you information on racking your system and what to do for the First Boot of your new EVO.
Before connecting all of your workstations to EVO, we strongly suggest directly connecting only a single computer to EVO's "eth0" port (per the First Boot instructions). The computer that you directly connected to EVO will be referred to as the "administrator computer" for the remainder of these instructions. Simply take a single standard Ethernet cable and plug one end into EVO and the other end into your administration computer.
After you’re directly plugged in you’re ready to begin by booting up and logging into EVO's web-based administrator interface. Once your EVO finishes booting, ensure the administrator computer’s network adapter has a 192.168.1.x address assigned (you will have to manually set this). Open your web browser to http://192.168.1.25, and select Login (EVO Administration).
Once you've logged in you’ll be taken to the Welcome (version 6) or the Quick Start (version 7) page -- be sure to thoroughly read through this page as it’s loaded with helpful tips and information about setting up and configuring your system.
Next, locate and review manuals for EVO (get the latest EVO Help manual here) and other supporting hardware/software. It’s also important to register your EVO as registration can greatly help us improve the service we provide to you.
General Outline of a Complete Installation
The following is a generic end-to-end outline for installing an entire NAS EVO storage system. (In fact, these steps can be performed out of sequence, but following them as defined below can help eliminate some common snags.)
Registration can greatly help us improve the service we provide to you. Click here to register your new EVO.
- EVO hardware and UPS installation: mount, connect, and power up EVO hardware. If present, always power up your expansion chassis first before powering up the main EVO unit.
- EVO system configuration (from your administrator computer): login to EVO's web UI, create pools, logical disks, and shares for your workflow requirements. Next you can map shares, create users, create groups, assign permissions, etc.
- Client workstation software: install and configure any required software on each client workstation.
- If using a 10GbE (or faster) fiber network: physically install and configure the adapters you will be using in your workstations.
- Network setup: in some installations your workstations will connect directly to EVO with no need for an Ethernet switch. However, larger installations may require a switch. If you're using switches, install and configure them during this step. If you're connecting workstations directly to EVO, connect them during this step.
- Complete any remaining workstation-side software setup: set static IP addresses or use EVO's DHCP server services. Establish and verify network connectivity (e.g. ping test for Ethernet) between workstations and EVO.
- Test NAS functions: you should verify that you’re able to map to a share and transfer files.
- Set up CloudVPN to securely access your files remotely.
- Train end-users on proper use of client-side software and new workflow procedures.
- Create a backup plan and implement it.
Ethernet cable
Optical SFP+/SFP28
Max. Cable Distances Using 850nm SR Modules & 50/125μm multi-mode fiber with "LC'' connectors:
OM3 10Gb: 300m, 25Gb: 70m
OM4 10Gb: 400m, 25Gb: 100m (SNS recommended)
Max. Cable Distances Using 1310nm LR Modules & 9/125μm single-mode fiber with "LC" connectors:
Duplex OS2 - G.657.A1 (Compatible with G.652.D) 10Gb: 10km, 25Gb: 10km
Optical QSFP+/QSFP28
Max. Cable Distances Using 850nm SR4 Modules (using FEC) & 50/125μm multi-mode fiber trunk with "MTP/MPO-12" connectors:
Note - for direct EVO to workstation links, use type "B".
OM3 50Gb/100Gb: 70m
OM4 50Gb/100Gb: 100m (SNS recommended)
Max. Cable Distances Using 1310nm LR4 Modules & 9/125μm single-mode fiber with "LC" connectors:
Duplex OS2 - G.657.A1 (Compatible with G.652.D) 50/100Gb: 10km
Twisted Pair Copper
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cable with 8P8C (RJ45) male connector.
Max. Cable Distances (low noise area):
Cat5e/6 1Gb: 100m, 10Gb: 55m*
Cat6a/7 1Gb: 100m, 10Gb: 100m (SNS recommended)
*Under high crosstalk conditions, only half bandwidth should be expected.
Existing Users
If you would like to upgrade your EVO OS to the latest version, please open a new case and let us know you'd like to upgrade. We'll need to know the version of EVO OS you currently have installed.
Please note that there may be a charge to upgrade from one major version number to a later one. Contact our sales team if you need to purchase an upgrade license.
All Users
For more information on using EVO v.7, you can find the manual by clicking in the web-based administrator interface on the support life raft button (near the top right of UI) and selecting “EVO” under the “Help documents” card, which will open the following link. For EVO version 6, you can open the manual by clicking onto any question mark in the UI, or you can access it with the Help button directly from the main menu, or by pointing your browser to http://192.168.1.25/EVO-Guide.pdf (replace 192.168.1.25 with the IP address of your EVO).
« ShareBrowser »
Sharebrowser is a suite of tools for managing your assets across all of your online and offline storage. Commonly known as a MAM (Media Asset Manager), this allows you to search your files, their metadata, and find exactly what you’re looking for from a browser, the native application, or from directly within your NLE.
An easy way to download ShareBrowser Desktop is to enter your EVO IP address followed by /sharebrowser (e.g.: http://192.168.1.25/sharebrowser) then find the link at bottom right to download the appropriate version for your workstation.
Legacy versions are also available at snsftp.com.
For System Requirements or assistance with configuration, see the current ShareBrowser manual.