Usage and Setup
So now that we our enclosure setup, and its also sat for the recommended 8 hours of time to charge the lithium-ion battery pack. lets see how well it works.
Being that this is target at mobile users and devices. The setup varys a bit depending on what your using it with. For normal USB operation Its no different than any other drive/drive enclosure. Simply turn on the power, and plug the drive in. A few seconds later you should be greeted with a new device found and your computer asking you what you want to do with it. Luckily where no icons asking me if i wanted to light it on fire or fling it into orbit in frustration so its on the right track at least. Assuming we’re going for a good user experience that is.
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While the above will be the correct sequence of events for a wired setup. This isn’t quite the same experience for the wireless setup. The Gauntlet Node wireless capabilities are nothing to scoff at. While its not really capable of acting as a true NAS device. It can operate as a hot spot by connecting to an pre-existing Wi-Fi connection. This works correctly for open and broadcasting Wi-Fi hot spots. If you have a stealthed or other unconventional Wi-Fi setup it doesn’t currently play as nicely with it at this time.
The Gauntlet Node has native CIFS/SMB support, which really increases the compatibility quite a bit beyond what they have listed. Anything that is capable of CIFS/SMB network communications can access the drive. While the gauntlet connect software does simplify the process for platforms without a native file manager that supports networked devices. Like most cellphones and some tablets. Unless you have already Jail broken your device or added an existing application for browsing wireless networks. I am one of those people generally included this this group. As my trusty cellphone of the last several years has been a Blackberry Torch 9800.
Connecting to the device is a simple task over wireless. In the default mode the device is an unsecured Wi-Fi hotspot. That Shows up like any other Wi-Fi hot spot out there. Simply choose the Gauntlet Node, out of the list of hot spots and your connected.
Management of the device is all handled through a small embedded web server. Open the browser on the connected device and type in “http://10.10.10.254” and hit enter and your into the management system.
The default status page displays the basic settings of the device such as device name. Workgroup, date & time, firmware and language. A small run down of the local network information, and a list of currently connected clients.
If you go to the setup page you can change the information as needed. Along with update the time on the device so that file creation and sync times are consistent across devices.
Due to the fact that the Gauntlet Node isn’t a true Internet connected device. The firmware upgrade has to be from the local media. After downloading the firmware from their site. Unpack it and put it on the drive itself. Then select it through the “Firmware Upgrade” button.
Under the “Network Connection” link on the bottom of the page is the ability to connect it to an existing Wi-Fi network. So that you enable hot spot functionality, and have Internet access to the devices currently connected to the Gauntlet Node.
The Network Page is pretty straight forward. It gives you the ability to change the devices SSID. Also you can lock your shares on the drive with an additional password. leaving the default password in place allows free access to the drive. While password protecting will allow those connected that don’t have the password to still use it as a hot spot.
The security page allows you to change your Wi-Fi security settings. WEP/WPA/WPA2-personal/, are all options under this area.
Gauntlet Connect
For those mobile devices lucky enough to be supported by this devices. Gauntlet Connect provides a simple and easy file sharing experience.
In our case we used a Samsung Galaxy Tablet to access the drive. After connecting to the drive a quick visit to the Google Play store, and we had found the Gauntlet Connect application. Two clicks later and it was downloaded and installed, and in action.
As you can clearly see the two partitions of the installed drive. As Well as the Blue Gauntlet connect icon in the upper left corner above the Wi-Fi Drive tab. Which will take you to your Wi-Fi settings. In the off chance your not currently connected to the drive.
As one would expect you can simply tap on directly you want and open it. The menu section allows access to file management options. A simple tap on something like a media file say music, picture, mp3. Will result in your preferred player being open and your off and streaming.
Here we have the “Create New Folder” option open. However from this same section you can also see the options to download, Delete files.
