External Devices
Under External Devices, you can view a list of external storage devices connected to your RackStation.
External Disk
By connecting an external disk to the system, you will be able to share its disk capacity through a system-created shared folder named usbshare[number] (for USB disk) or esatashare[number] (for eSATA disk). The shared folder will be removed automatically when the external disk is ejected from the system.
RackStation recognizes the following formats: EXT3, EXT4, FAT, FAT32, and NTFS. Any unrecognized external disk will have to be formatted first before being used on the system.
To get the information of the disk:
You can access disk information by clicking Get Info.
To eject the disk:
- Click the Eject button to eject the disk.
- Remove it physically.
Important: Be sure to eject the external disk before unplugging it.
To format the disk:
Click Format and follow the wizard to complete the setup. You can format your external disk to EXT3, EXT4, and FAT32 format in RackStation.
Note:
- Make sure you have backed up data before formatting the external disk. All data will be deleted during the procedure and cannot be restored.
- To format the external disk to EXT3 or EXT4 format, the disk size must be larger than 1 GB.
- When the disk is formatted as EXT3 or EXT4 format, it is only recognized by RackStation.
Limitations:
You will not be allowed to click the Format button in the following situations:
- The external disk is being initialized (when the external device has just been plugged in.)
- The capacity of the external disk is less than 1GB. (EXT3 or EXT4 format)
- The external disk is being formatted.
- When the system is backing up files to the external disk.
- The external disk is damaged.
Troubleshooting
- Fail to format the external disk. Why?
- Check if the external disk is properly inserted.
- Check if the external disk is write-protected. If yes, remove it before formatting.
- The file system of the external disk is shown as Not Supported, or the system does not create the usbshare[number] or esatashare[number] shared folder for the external disk. What should I do?
- The current system recognizes EXT3, EXT4, FAT, FAT32, and NTFS format. Any external disk not formatted to the types above will not be recognized and the status will be shown as Not Supported.
- I cannot access the usbshare[number] or esatashare[number] shared folder. What should I do?
- This might be caused by a problem in the file system on your external disk. To fix it, please connect the external disk to the PC and perform a file system check.
- Can my external disk with EXT3 or EXT4 format be connected to my PC and Mac and accessed directly?
- No, EXT3 or EXT4 is only recognized by the RackStation. If you would like
to read data directly from your external disk with a PC and Mac, choose FAT32 format.
- Why do I see a folder named "lost+found" in my external disk?
- This is a system default folder that is created automatically when using EXT3/EXT4 file system. It is normal to see the folder in your external disk. Although administrators have the right to access and manage the content within, it is strongly recommended that you leave the folder untouched