QNAP TS-101 and TS-201 NAS Servers

Web Client Network Settings, File Services and TwonkyVision 3.1

The Network Settings menu is one of the more robust configuration screens, offering access to TCP/IP settings and various system services.  The TCP/IP Configuration defaults to DHCP but static IP gateway and DNS information can also be entered.  This is also where Jumbo Frame Settings can be adjusted, as we discussed earlier.  When connected to supported equipment, the default MTU of 1500 can be increased to 4074 or 7418 bytes for improved performance in a Gigabit network.  The server also provides Microsoft Networking options, such as setting the unit as a standalone server, WINS server or even as a Domain controller.  For Apple users, Appletalk is supported as well, however, it must be enable manually.

The Web File Manager service enables web access to the system folders.  This enables basic file access functionality for simple viewing of an individual file.  The FTP service enables the File Transfer Protocol making the unit accessible remotely via an FTP client such as GlobalScape's CuteFTP.  The Download Station service enables BitTorrent support.  Once enabled, the web interface permits the creation of BitTorrent jobs that do not rely on a PC.  The Multimedia Station offers two options, the first being the Multimedia Station service which provides a web-based interface for sharing photos, with the ability to create Photo Albums as well.  The Multimedia Station allows for the viewing of images, slideshow creation, zooming, rotating, printing and saving of images.  The other option is a UPnP MediaServer service, which is available with the latest update.  Once enabled, the server is immediately detected as a TwonkyMedia server, powered by TwonkyVision MediaServer v3.1.  This facilitates UPnP/DLNA functions, allowing the unit to act as a media server for Internet Radio and more.

Once enabled, the TwonkyMedia Configuration screen can be accessed by a URL or by double-clicking the server on the local network.  This is a powerful software package that enables the NAS device to function as a media server, working in conjunction with a myriad of streaming network clients as listed here.

If you don't have a streaming media client, user's can also use Shoutcast to play Internet Radio stations or they can create their own stations by genre, artist or album name.  The biggest drawback to this feature is documentation, which is spotty.  There is no manual available nor could we find anything on the TwonkyVision website.  Instead, information is mostly available through forums, where answers to specific questions are readily accessible.  Nonetheless, if you are interested in getting a streaming media client to generate custom radio stations with your current music library, including MP3 and iTunes files, this is one feature that should prove to be fun, challenging and loaded with features.