User's Guide

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Network connection issues

For issues connecting the server to the network, check the following:

Why is the Network connection light off

To determine why the network connection light is off
  1. Make sure that all the cable connections are correctly plugged in.
  2. Make sure the router or switch has power.
  3. Restart the router or switch (or unplug and plug it back in).
  4. If you are using your own Ethernet cable, try using the Ethernet cable that came with the HP Media Vault.
The network connection light alternates between blue and off

The server is intermittently connected to the network.

Check the cable connection between the server and the router (or switch).

The firewall is blocking the connection

If using a firewall program, configure it to allow any HP MediaSmart applications:

  • HPMVTray.exe - HP Media Vault System Tray utility
  • Cddib32.exe - NTI DriveBackup!
  • Shadow.exe - NTI Shadow
  • NASSelector.exe - Media Vault Selection Application
  • NASDriveMapper.exe - NASDriveMapper Application

For instructions to unblock, see the software vendor's documentation.

For information about firewall blocking alerts, see You receive firewall blocking messages.

Check that the router is correctly configured for DHCP

The HP Media Vault comes automatically set to use a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server to dynamically assign IP addresses. Most router come with a built-in DHCP server.

Check that the router has the DHCP server correctly enabled. Refer to the documentation that came with the router for instructions on proper DHCP server configuration.

For information about configuring a router for remote access, see the following sections.

Windows Vista: Check that Network Discovery is turned on

To ensure that Network Discovery is turned on
  1. Click the Start menu, and then select Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel, click View network status and tasks.
  3. In the Network and Sharing Center, make sure that Network discovery is on.
  4. If Network discovery is off, click open settings icon, then select Turn on network discovery and Apply.

Check the network is set up properly for TCP/IP

Check that each computer on the network has TCP/IP listed and selected for the network properties with these options selected:

Windows XP: To ensure your network is set up properly for TCP/IP
  1. Click Start, and then select Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Network and Internet Connections.
  3. Double-click Network Connections.
  4. If the computer is connected via Ethernet cable to the network, right-click Local Area Connection.
  5. If the computer is using a wireless connection, right-click Wireless Network Connection.
  6. Click Properties. In the dialog box that opens, check to ensure that TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is listed and selected.
    • If TCP/IP is not listed, click Install, Protocol, and then Add. In the dialog box that appears, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
    • If TCP/IP is listed and checked, highlight it and click Properties, then select Obtain IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.
  7. All computers should be set identically.
Windows Vista: To ensure your network is set up properly for TCP/IP
  1. Click Start, and then select Control Panel.
  2. Click View network status and tasks under Network and Internet.
  3. In the left pane, click Manage Network Connections.
  4. If the computer is connected via Ethernet cable to the network, right-click Local Area Connection.
  5. If the computer is using a wireless connection, right-click Wireless Network Connection.
  6. Click Properties. In the dialog box that opens, check to ensure that Internet Protocol Version 4 TCP/IPv4 is listed and selected.
    • If TCP/IP is not listed, click Install, Protocol, and then Add. In the dialog box that appears, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IPv4).
    • If TCP/IP is listed and checked, highlight it and click Properties, then select Obtain IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.
  7. All computers should be set identically.

Check the network NetBIOS properties

Check that each computer on the network has TCP/IP advanced network properties set to Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP. All computers should be set identically.

Windows XP: To ensure your network has the correct NetBIOS set up
  1. Click Start, and then select Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Network and Internet connections.
  3. Double-click Network Connections.
  4. Double-click your default network connection.
    • Local Area Connection for wired networks.
    • Wireless for wireless connections.
  5. Click Properties.
  6. Highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
  7. Click Properties.
  8. Click Advanced.
  9. Click the WINS tab.
  10. WINS refers to Windows Internet Naming Service, which converts NetBIOS network names to IP addresses.
  11. NetBIOS settings are found at the bottom of the dialog box. Make sure that the NetBIOS setting is not set to Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
Windows Vista: To ensure your network has the correct NetBIOS set up
  1. Click Start, and then select Control Panel.
  2. Click View network status and tasks under Network and Internet.
  3. In the left pane, click Manage Network Connections.
  4. Right-click your default network connection:
    • Local Area Connection for wired networks.
    • Wireless Network Connection for wireless connections.
  5. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP).
  6. Click Properties.
  7. Click Advanced.
  8. Click the WINS tab.
  9. WINS refers to Windows Internet Naming Service, which converts NetBIOS network names to IP addresses.
  10. NetBIOS settings are found at the bottom of the dialog box. Make sure that the NetBIOS setting is not set to Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
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