Seagate WSS NAS - Setup Essentials as a Domain Member

The Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 Essentials Dashboard is the central management tool to add users, create groups, review storage and much more.

The Seagate WSS NAS Setup Assistant includes a list of recommended and required steps to complete before joining the Seagate WSS NAS to a domain.

 

Recommended Steps before joining a Domain

 
  • Set the Date, Time, and Timezone of the Seagate WSS NAS to match the Domain Controller.

  • Change the network name or hostname of the Seagate WSS NAS if needed.

  • Manage storage to create a storage pool and virtual disk using Server Manager.

  • The domain controller’s IP Address may need to be added into the TCP/IPv4 Properties Preferred DNS Server field found in the properties of the Seagate WSS NAS’s ethernet connection.

 

Join the Seagate WSS NAS to a Domain

 

The Seagate WSS NAS Setup Assistant will display on the Seagate WSS NAS Desktop.  
 

  1. Click the link to Change network name or join domain.
     

  2. Click Change in System Properties.
     

  3. Select Domain and enter the fully qualified domain name and click OK.
     

  4. Windows Security will prompt. Enter the Domain Administrator’s Username and Password, click OK.
     

  5. A “Welcome to the domain” message box will appear.  Click OK.
     

  6. Restart the Seagate WSS NAS.

 

Configure Windows Server Essentials

 
  1. Login to the Seagate WSS NAS with Remote Desktop as the Domain Administrator.
     

The User name:  Domain Name\Domain Administrator User’s Name

Password:          The Domain Administrator’s Password.

 

Example:

 

 

Dashboard setup: Configure Windows Server Essentials

 
  1. From the Seagate WSS NAS Setup Assistant, click the link Setup dashboard.
     

  2. Click the notification flag on the top right of Server Manager.
     

  3. Click the link Configure Windows Server Essentials.
    The Prerequisites verification window will open and the system configuration will be checked. The Configure Window will report that the Seagate WSS NAS has been set up as a domain member.

     

  4. Click Configure.
    Note:  Updating and preparing the Seagate WSS NAS can take up to 30 minutes.

     

  5. Click Close after the configuration has completed.

 

The configuration of Windows Server Essentials and Dashboard setup has been completed and is now ready to use.  

 

If the Server Essentials configuration encounters and error and fails to complete, one of the following options may correct the issue.

 

 

Option 1

 
  1. Put the Seagate WSS NAS back in Workgroup mode.  Go to System Properties and click Change. Type in WORKGROUP and click OK. Restart is required.
     

  2. Open Server Manager.
     

  3. Click Manage in the top right corner and choose Remove Roles and Features.
     

  4. Under Roles, locate Windows Server Essentials Experience and deselect it, click Next.
     

  5. Follow the prompts to finish removing Windows Server Essentials then restart the NAS.
     

  6. Join the Seagate WSS NAS to a Domain (by following the steps in the “Join the Seagate WSS NAS to a Domain” section above) and reboot.
     

  7. Open Server Manager.
     

  8. Click Add roles and features.
     

  9. Under Roles, locate Windows Server Essentials Experience and select it, click Next.
     

  10. Follow the prompts to finish installing Windows Server Essentials then restart the NAS.
     

  11. Open Server Manager.
     

  12. In the top right corner click the yellow warning and choose Configure  Windows Server Essentials and follow the prompts.

 

Option 2

 

Re-install the Seagate WSS NAS operating system.

 
  1. Backup all data before proceeding.
     

  2. Open Server Manager and click File and Storage Services > Storage Pools.

  3. Remove the Virtual Disk and Delete the Storage Pool.

 

Performing the NAS Operating System Recovery Process

 
  1. Insert a paperclip or similar object into the pinhole above the USB port on the back of the Seagate WSS NAS and hold this button in.

 
  1. Push and release the Power button on the front of the Seagate WSS NAS.

  1. Continue to hold the reset button on the back for 5 seconds then release it.  The Power/Status button light, will blink for approximately 5 minutes.

 
  1. Once the Power/Status Button and Function lights turn solid, push the Function Button under the Power Button to begin the installation of Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 Essentials.

The installation can take up to 20 minutes.

 
  1. Wait for the Power/Status Button light to turn solid before moving to the next step.

 

Use Remote Desktop to login to the Seagate WSS NAS.

 
  1. Launch Microsoft Remote Desktop from a PC on the local network.
     

  2. Enter the default name of the Seagate WSS NAS: seagate-wss-nas
     

  3. Choose Connect.
     

  4. Enter the default login, Administrator, and the password admin.  

 
  1. Upon login, use the Seagate Setup Assistant to re-configure the Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 Essentials operating system.


Join the Seagate WSS NAS to a Domain


Now follow the steps at the beginning of the article to join the domain.
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