360 Systems DigiCart/E - Manual (Page 29)

Administration
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Configuring Windows 2000 Services
The Microsoft Windows 2000 Server operating system is an umbrella term for a collection of smaller
programs, called services, that work together performing distinct functions for the computer. Many of these
services are not required to run an Ethernet Audio network server, and may even be detrimental to its
operation. Disabling unnecessary services frees the computer resources to perform important services more
quickly.
Indexing Service
One service in particular, Indexing, can cause serious operational problems for Ethernet Audio. Indexing
periodically updates the file indexing. This service is useful for Internet applications where a great number of
very small files may be requested by clients. However, the indexing activity periodically takes over the hard
disk drive during the indexing process; this interrupts the drive’s ability to handle audio data. The Indexing
Service should be disabled. The operating system installation program may set Indexing to start
automatically; this setting must be checked and reset if necessary. See Appendix D - Turning Off Various
Windows 2000 Services for step by step instructions.
World Wide Web Publishing Service
Most server computers today are designed to be Internet servers. The same applies to the software that
servers run. Microsoft Windows 2000 Server includes services that manage Internet communications.
Ethernet Audio network servers are not intended to be connected to the Internet, and therefore the World
Wide Web Publishing Service is not needed. Refer to Appendix D for details on how to turn off this service.
Installing a Network Attached Storage (NAS) Server
Network-Attached Storage (NAS) servers are generally used to quickly expand storage capacity on
established data networks. They can be deployed in a matter of minutes and can be purchased in
configurations that make them extremely reliable and less expensive than many other storage solutions.
NAS servers can be added to an Ethernet Audio network to increase storage capacity, or to allow the transport
of material from one server to another or to a remote truck. NAS devices differ from traditional servers in
that they do not support video monitors, keyboard, or mouse. The operating system is stored on an internal
ROM device, so there is no need to load software or worry about a system disk crash. NAS servers install in
minutes, automatically recognize and support all major network platforms and can be managed via a simple
Web browser.
NAS servers connect to 10 Base-T and 100 Base-TX networks with a single RJ-45 Ethernet cable and support
the most widely used network protocols simultaneously in a mixed-network environment. NAS servers
provide shared storage space only; they do not support print services, Internet gateways, or other functions of
a full network file server.
NAS devices require the use of another computer or server with an internet browser program to be connected
on the network to configure the NAS device. The setup computer may be removed from the network after the
initial installation. Internet Explorer is supplied with Windows 2000, allowing configuration from the server.
360 Systems does not recommend use of NAS devices for direct playout in critical applications. In the event
that the power is interrupted without a shutdown command, it can take some NAS servers up to a half hour
after restart to become available again.