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AWS Getting Started - Configuring your SoftNAS Instances

AWS Getting Started - Configuring your SoftNAS Instances

Apr 13, 2023

Configure Network Settings and Hostname

For your AWS instance, network settings are taken care of during creation of the instance. One network interface handles the everyday traffic connecting you to your SoftNAS on AWS instance. The second interface is leveraged automatically when configuring high availability through SnapReplicate™ and Snap HA™

If adding additional network interfaces, or changing IP addresses, routing and gateways, hostnames or host addresses, this can be done by navigating to Settings > Network Settings under the Storage Administration pane.

Set Administrator Passwords

The default password provided to your instance is the instance ID of your SoftNAS instance on AWS. This should be changed in a production environment, particularly if your AWS account is shared with co-workers. The instance ID is visible to anyone logged into the AWS account under which the instance is created. For this reason, you are prompted to change your password on initial login. 

Click the Change Password for 'softnas' user link from the prompt.

OR


From the Storage Administration pane, under Settings, select Change Passwords.  This can be used to change passwords at anytime.


If you use the initial prompt, you will automatically be taken to change the default SoftNAS account password.


If you use Change Password under Settings, however, you will be prompted to select the account's you wish to change.


Buurst recommends changing the default password for both the softnas and root users. 
Provide the new password.


If handing the instance to a new administrator, check the box to Force user to change password at next login. This will allow the new SoftNAS admin to select his own password.


Click Change.

Apply Software Updates

To update your SoftNAS Instance, navigate to Settings > Software Updates under the Storage Administration pane.


If an update is available, the latest version will be displayed in the Select version drop down.


Click Apply Update Now to begin the update. To ensure customers are aware that downtime may occur.  A confirmation prompt will appear. Click Yes to begin the upgrade. Be sure not to shut down the Virtual Machine or interrupt the upgrade process.


Click Finish when prompted. This will trigger a reboot, requiring you to log back into your instance.


 Buurst recommends reading the linked Release Notes. The Release Notes may contain information not only about the features and fixes, but also about whether the update will require downtime, allowing you to plan accordingly. This is not particularly relevant for a POC deployment, but important in a production scenario. 

Updating your software to obtain the latest features, security improvements and bug fixes is always recommended. Buurst takes this recommendation a step further, and has tied the latest updates to their No Downtime Guarantee. This ensures our clients are receiving the best version of our product and support to match.

Activate License Key

In AWS, your SoftNAS instance on AWS will be automatically licensed, unless you select a BYOL (Bring Your Own License) AMI.


If you need to apply a license (you can obtain a license by registering here).


To access the License Administration page, navigate to Settings > Licensing in the Storage Administration pane. 


Enter the license key in the Enter New License Key text box.


Enter the license owner in the Registered License Owner text box.

 

Obtaining your License

Your license will be sent to your registration email, and can also be found by logging into the Buurst portal.