CTERA

ctera-setting-up-email-alerts-notifications

CTERA C200: Configure Alert Settings

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The CTERA C200 has many features of value to IT companies. It’s one of the best hybrid cloud solutions on the market and makes backing up important data easier than ever before.

It also gives you the flexibility to adjust certain settings like alert notifications. This allows you to be notified for things like completed backups, storage quotas, and firmware updates.

Let’s take a closer look at configuring alert settings on the CTERA C200.

Configure Alert Settings

In order to begin configuring the alert settings on your CTERA, navigate to the “Alerts” tab from the main menu. The “Alerts” tab will have two categories: “Email Alerts” and “Mail Server.”

Before you can test notifications, you have to set up the mail server first.

Mail Server

In the “Mail Server” category, check mark the box titled “Deliver email using a custom SMTP server.” Underneath that, plug in the information for your SMTP server address.

Note: Depending on your internet provider, your port number may be different from the default “25” that is already in the box.

Once you enter your SMTP server address, enter your username and password in the boxes below. Once complete, click “Save.”

Email Alerts

Now that you’ve set up your mail server, navigate to the “Email Alerts” category. The top half of the screen is where you will enter the recipient’s email address who will receive notifications from the CTERA. You can also specify the sender for the alerts.

Now is when you’ll actually customize your alert settings. Start by choosing the severity of messages that you want to get logged (we leave ours at critical). After that, you have multiple different settings you can adjust. 

The CTERA gives you the ability to receive an email notification when:

  • There is no cloud connectivity
  • The last cloud backup was more than X amount of days
  • The last local backup was more than X amount of days
  • The last cloud sync was more than X amount of hours
  • The volume reaches a certain percentage
  • You reach a certain percentage of your user storage quota

Additional Event Notifications 

Once you’ve configured the settings for your email alerts, you can also choose to have the CTERA notify you whenever:

  • The cloud backup is successful
  • The local backup is successful
  • The firmware is updated
  • The device is shutdown or started

Once your settings are where you want them, click “Save.” 

You can now click “Test”, and a notification will be sent to the recipients you entered in the mail server. Alternatively, you can restart the CTERA to immediately receive an email notification.

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CTERA C200: Local User Set Up and Share Permissions

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The CTERA C200 simplifies your data backups while giving you all of the control. With all of its advanced capabilities, it’s one of the best hybrid cloud solutions on the market.

And one of the most important things to learn about the CTERA C200 early on is how to set up local users and designate their share permissions.

Start by opening your CTERA portal. For this particular process, the two main tabs you will be using are the “Users” and “Shares” tabs.

Local User Set Up

To create a new local user, start in the “Users” tab. Click the button that says “New” in the top ribbon, and then create a name and a password for the user account.

Note: Passwords require a minimum of 8 characters and at least 1 number.

Once you’ve created your username and password, you will be directed to a dialogue box that gives you the ability to add more information for the local user. You can also add:

  • A first and last name
  • An email address
  • A numeric UID

Including this information is not required.

Once you’re satisfied, click “Finish,” and you will now have a new user in the CTERA.

Administrator Status

Administrators on the CTERA have the ability to login to the portal and make changes to the backup agent itself. If you want to make your new user an administrator, click on the “Groups” category found under the “Users” tab.

Click on the group named “Administrators” and click “Next” on the first page of the pop-up box that appears (there is also the option to create read-only administrators who can’t make changes).

The next page is where you can select your group members to add as an administrator. Look for the user you want to add by filtering the users and doing a search in the top right corner. Once you find the user, click on their name, followed by “Next” and then “Finish.”

That user is now an administrator!

Share Permissions

To edit share permissions, navigate the interface to find the “Shares” category under the “Share” tab. There will be two folders: backups and public.

The backup share is where you’ll go when you need to access copied files from old backups. The public share is generated automatically.

Highlight the share file you want and click on “Edit Share” in the top ribbon.

Make sure the file selected is the one you want to edit and click “Next.”

In the next window, you can choose to change the name of the network share folder; however, this step is optional. After that, proceed to the next window.

The next window, named “Sharing Protocols,” allows you to enable and disable different features for that share. Choose the ones you want to apply, and click next until you reach “Configure Permissions.”

This window is where you will choose which accounts have share permissions. You can choose from three of the following permissions:

  • None
  • Read Only
  • Read/Write

Once you have assigned permissions to your accounts, click “Finish,” and your CTERA will automatically update and give those accounts permissions to the public drive.

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CTERA C200 – Configure Local Storage Arrays

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Now that you’ve taken the time to unbox and install hard drives onto your CTERA, it’s time to learn how to configure the local storage arrays.

The CTERA C200 gives you the ability to back up data locally and on the Cloud. It’s one of the best hybrid cloud solutions available on the market for both large and small businesses.

Configure Local Storage Arrays in CTERA Cloud Storage Gateway

If you’re using your CTERA C200 for the first time, you’ll be prompted to create an administrative username and password. Once you have this set up, you’ll be able to access and manage your device later on.

Once you’ve made your administrative account, the CTERA will ask you to create a hostname for your gateway (we typically abbreviate the client we are using the agent for).

Followed up by naming your gateway is providing a portal address. This is how you connect to the centralized administration that you’ll be running.

Now it’s time to log into your CTERA and begin setting up your local storage.

Setting Up Local Storage (RAID1) in CTERA Cloud Storage Gateway

From your CTERA main menu screen, click on the “Storage” tab. From there, make sure you’re in the “Arrays” category.

  • Click “New”
  • Checkmark one or both hard drives that are inserted into your CTERA
  • Click “Next”
  • Click RAID1 (Mirrored), followed by “Next”
  • Name your array
  • Click “Finish”

Upon finishing the creation of your new array, your data will be saved and a box will pop up asking you to specify the volume details. This allows you to edit your storage device, volume size & type, and file system (we typically leave the settings at their default).

Once you click “Next” on the volume details, the CTERA will ask for volume encryption information. This step is optional.

Finally, name your volume, click “Next,” and you’re finished. Your new array should now appear on the arrays tab.

Setting Up Snapshots in CTERA Cloud Storage Gateway

After your array is created, it’s vital that you set up your snapshots as they give you the redundancy in your data. To begin this, click on the “Snapshots” category that is under the Storage” tab.

  • Click “Scheduled Snapshots”
  • Decide between periodical snapshots or daily snapshots (both have the ability to edit time and frequency)
  • Click “Next”
  • Choose your retention policy (specifies how long old snapshots will be kept)
  • Click “Finish”

Your snapshots are now set to take place and send data off-site while keeping a local copy.

CTERA C200 Unboxing and Setup

CTERA C200 NAS Unit: Unboxing and Hard Drive Install

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If you’ve ordered a CTERA C200 for you and your clients, there is some essential information you’ll need to know.

But before you jump right into installing your CTERA Cloud Storage Gateway, learn what to expect while unboxing the unit along with additional information on how to begin installing the hard drives.

Unboxing the CTERA C200

It’s time to take the human factor out of data backups and set up the CTERA C200. Capable of both local and cloud backups, this hybrid cloud solution centralizes all of your functions and gives you the ability to customize backups by file and frequency.

However, before you can begin to marvel at all the amazing features and capabilities the CTERA C200 unit has, you need to take it out of the box.

What’s Included:

  • The CTERA C200 Unit
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Ethernet Cable
  • Power Supply Cable (Provides both the American and European version)

Installing the Hard Drive

Start by unpacking the unit (obviously). If you’ve used other NAS (network-attached storage) units before, you’ll immediately notice the CTERA C200 is similar in size. It’s ports include a gigabit ethernet port and 2 USB slots (for additional storage).

On the back of the unit, you’ll find a plastic panel. Simply remove this by pressing down on the release.

Once the plastic panel is removed, insert your hard drives into the back compartment. They are supposed to be staggered, so don’t be alarmed if they don’t line up evenly. Once you hear them both click in you can reattach the plastic panel. 

Never use normal hard drives in the CTERA. Always use drives made specifically for CTERA.

Once you turn your CTERA on, it will recognize the presence of the hard drives and allow you to begin setting them up.

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Install CTERA Agent and Select Back Up Files

How to Install the CTERA Agent and Select Backup Files in CTERA Cloud Gateway [VIDEO]

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If you’re looking for one of the most simple hybrid cloud solutions available for your business/businesses, then you need to check out CTERA Cloud Gateway.

CTERA makes backing up files and folders easier than ever before and guarantees security for both you and your clients’ data and personal information.

Below is a quick tutorial on setting up your backup agents along with the process of backing up files or cloud storage.

Backing Up

To begin setting up backup agents on your CTERA, start by logging in using your IP address. Once you’re logged in, there are two places you can access backup agents: The main configuration screen, or the local backup CTERA screen.

Download the backup agents and click “run” once they have finished downloading. The file size should be relatively small (around 64 MB), and is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac. Proceed forward and finish the installation.

You’ll need to then register your backup agent with CTERA by providing your local IP address. Once you do that, you’ll be prompted to enter your admin credentials.

CTERA will always be displayed down in your system tray. If the cloud icon is blue, then you’re good to go. If the cloud icon is grayed out, then this indicates a potential network issue or problems with the CTERA’s licensing.

Now that your backup agents are downloaded, you can begin backing up files and cloud storage using one of the best cloud solutions on the market.

For File Backup:

  • Go to your files’ and folders’ location
  • Right click any file or folder you want to back up
  • Hover over “CTERA Agent”
  • Click “Add to backup”
  • A green checkmark will appear next to icons that are selected for backup

You can remove any selected files from the backup folder by simply repeating the process and choosing “remove from backup.”

The final step is to make your way back into the CTERA agent and click “Backup Now.” Alternatively, you can schedule out your CTERA’s backup for a later time.

Note: Files that have a green checkmark have only been selected for backup and will not be processed until you click “Backup Now” in the CTERA agent.

For Cloud Backup:

  • Ensure that all agents being backed up are checked off in green in your CTERA Agent
  • Uncheck anything that doesn’t need backed up (remember, you pay for all cloud storage you use)
  • Click “Save” or “Backup Now”

When it comes to backing up cloud storage, the CTERA lets you schedule that too. Set it for any time or frequency that you desire.

Note: When trying to calculate the amount of time it will take for CTERA to finish backing up your cloud storage, consider the amount of data that is being backed up.

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CTERA Agent Cloud Software

CTERA Cloud Gateway Web Interface Walkthrough

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IT disasters can strike at any moment. If and when they do, how well do you have your clients protected?

Que the CTERA C200 hybrid cloud solution. 

This local NAS (network-attached storage) unit takes the human factor out of backups by combining two steps into one. No more are the days of saving physical backups to an external hard drive to then pay for a service that backs that data up on the cloud.

Instead, simply install the physical device onto your network and allow CTERA to do the rest.

If you’re an IT service provider, you need this product.
The CTERA C200 is simply one of the best cloud solutions on the market and will help ensure that your company’s information and data are safely secure each and every day.

CTERA Cloud Gateway Features

  • Supports Windows, Linux, and Mac
  • Supports 1 server with up to 20 workstations (more licenses can be acquired for an additional fee)
  • Ability to set specific backup times or set the frequency of automatic backups
  • Snapshot ability- takes a snapshot of your data at a specific time and saves it
  • Informs you when a hardware failure is detected

CTERA Cloud Gateway Web Interface Menu

Main Menu
-Home
-Device
-Dashboard
-Activity		Cloud Backup
-Control Panel
-Backup Files
-Backup Sets
-Exclude Sets
-Schedule
-Throughput
Local Backup
-CTERA Agents
-Clientless Backup
-Replication Rules		Users
-Users
-Groups
Share
-Shares
-Collaboration
-Home Directories
-Windows File Sharing
-FTP Server
-TFTP Server
-RSync Server
-AFP Settings
-NPS Settings		Event Log
-Log Viewer
-Log Settings
-Syslog
-Audit Logs
Storage
-Arrays
-Volumes
-Snapshots
-iSCSI
-Power Management
-File Search		Alerts
-Email Alerts
-Mail Server
System
-Firmware
-Network
-SNMP
-Configuration Tools
-Regional Settings
-Power		Cloud Services
-Status
-Remote Access

Why Cloud Solutions Matter

Cloud solutions are vital for companies because they minimize the risk of lost data due to a hardware failure. Cloud solutions for small businesses are also of great importance because they allow you to access important systems across all of your devices.

Cloud solutions also do away with many of the expenses that are associated with maintaining servers and devices in-house. 
Want to know if your business is well-suited for CTERA? Check out the specifications and requirements now.

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