How to Set Up a D-Link NAS Box

Configuring a Network Attached Storage box is usually more complex that configuring a directly attached device, requiring you to set up network connectivity as well as storage settings on the unit. Without correct connectivity settings, NAS boxes such as the D-Link ShareCenter series would be inaccessible from the other devices on your network. D-Link NAS devices come bundled with the ShareCenter Setup Wizard software, a free utility that helps you configure the key settings you need for a secure networked storage setup.

Use a screwdriver to screw the hard drive brackets included in the NAS kit to the drives.

Press the “Push” button on the top of the NAS to release the drive bay cover. Remove the cover and set it to one side.

Insert the drives into the bays. Ensure that the arrows on the hard drive brackets are pointing toward the front of the NAS, and that the top of each drive is facing toward the center of the bay. Once you insert all the drives, put the drive bay cover back on.

Connect the NAS to your router with an Ethernet cable, connect the device's power adapter, and then press the Power button to turn the NAS on.

Insert the ShareCenter software CD into your computer. When prompted, click the “Install” button to begin the configuration wizard. Click “Next” to move through the wizard's initial screens until you reach the “Create a New Password for Your NAS” menu.

Enter the admin password you want to use for your NAS, and then confirm it in the Confirm Password box. Click “Next” to move to the Configure Device LAN screen.

Select either “DHCP Client” or “Static IP” from the "Configure Device LAN" menu. If you select “Static IP,” enter the internal IP details you want to give to the device. Click “Next” to move to the Configure Device Information screen.

Enter the details of the Windows Workgroup you want to add the NAS to, if applicable. Click “Next” to move to the Introducing Dynamic DNS Service screen.

Select “Yes” from the “Do You Have a DDNS Account?” menu if you want to use an existing DDNS account, or select “No” if not. The wizard displays a pop-up box asking if you want to configure the NAS to use a DDNS account. DDNS allows you to access your NAS from the Internet. To configure DDNS, click “Yes,” and then follow the on-screen router setup instructions. Otherwise, click “No” to continue to the Configure System Time screen.

Enter the correct time details, and then click “Next” to move to the Configure Email Settings screen.

Enter your email details if you want the NAS to send you auto-generated status alerts. Leave the fields blank if you do not want these emails. Click “Next” to move to the Disk Information screen, and then click “Next” again to open the RAID Configuration screen.

Select a RAID mode from the "Select RAID Type" menu, and then click “Next” to move to the Map Drive To Network screen.

Use the drop-down menus to assign a drive letter to each drive in your NAS, and then click “Next” to move to the Volume Configuration Summary screen. Click “Next” again, and then click “Yes” on the warning box to begin formatting your hard drives.

Wait for the format to complete, and then click “Next.” The format process can take several minutes, especially if you are using high-capacity drives. Click “Finish” to complete the setup procedure.