I just got my unRAID server to boot off the USB flash drive after a little mucking around. Now I'm at the 'Tower login:' prompt. I just typed in 'root' with no password and it is at a strange looking prompt - root@Tower:~#

 

Using my Firefox browser on another system connected to my network, I typed in the address '//tower'; then I scanned the user manual to see how you get started with unRAID. Well, the user manual does look pretty complete, but it doesn't include a 'quick start guide' to help you get going. Does anyone know if such a document exists?

 

Meanwhile, I activated the Devices screen and assigned the drives for parity and data. Then I went back to the main screen and started the array. Now it shows the parity-sync is in progress. Can I go ahead and format the data disks or do I need to wait until parity-sync is finished?

 

After completing the formatting and syncing, I will need to stop the array, shut it off and move the server to the basement. Do you need to login every time you boot up the server. Or is it accessible without logging in?

 

I just got my unRAID server to boot off the USB flash drive after a little mucking around. Now I'm at the 'Tower login:' prompt. I just typed in 'root' with no password and it is at a strange looking prompt - root@Tower:~#

That is good news

Using my Firefox browser on another system connected to my network, I typed in the address '//tower'; then I scanned the user manual to see how you get started with unRAID. Well, the user manual does look pretty complete, but it doesn't include a 'quick start guide' to help you get going. Does anyone know if such a document exists?

Don't think it exists.  Closest is the How-To guides in the wiki http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=How-To%27s

Meanwhile, I activated the Devices screen and assigned the drives for parity and data. Then I went back to the main screen and started the array. Now it shows the parity-sync is in progress. Can I go ahead and format the data disks or do I need to wait until parity-sync is finished?

It probably will not give you the choice to format any drive unless the array is stopped.  If you have no data stored on the array at all, cancel the parity sync, it is not doing much for you at this time, stop the array, check the checkbox to format the data disks and restart the array.

After completing the formatting and syncing, I will need to stop the array, shut it off and move the server to the basement. Do you need to login every time you boot up the server. Or is it accessible without logging in?

You never need to log in via the console to start the server.  Some diagnostic and maintenance tasks are only possible from there, but nothing for most day to day use.  I've personally not used my system console in months and my server is in the basement.

 

You will want to set the bios option to automatically start the server when power is restored, otherwise, in a power failure you will need to press the power button to start the array back up.

 

Joe L.

Adding to what Joe already said,

 

Can I go ahead and format the data disks or do I need to wait until parity-sync is finished?

 

Yes, you can click 'Format' any time - bear in mind, like any 'format', previous data on the disks will be clobbered.

 

After completing the formatting and syncing, I will need to stop the array, shut it off and move the server to the basement. Do you need to login every time you boot up the server. Or is it accessible without logging in?

 

No need to log in.  If parity sync has completed, and you did a 'clean' shutdown (ie, click 'Stop' and then 'Power off'), then it should also come back on-line at the end of the boot sequence.

This is very cool. My first unRAID server and it wasn't really that difficult to get it working. Hopefully, I won't have any problems with my hardware because I'll need to run it headless until I can get my hands on a cheap PCI video card. The one in my system is only a loaner from a friend.

 

Thanks for the link to the wiki.

 

Thanks again,

Gregg

 

 

Mine has been headless for 2 years now    But with the SATA drives comming down in price I might have to go back and tweak the bios setting to get a full 16 drives into my unraid server it's all IDE right now on the original MOBO Tom had recommended.