Mirra Personal Server User manual

Mirra Manual Release 2.0
Mirra Manual
Release 2.0
September 2004
Mirra, Inc. 150 Mathilda Place Suite 450 Sunnyvale CA 94086 408.215.5700

Release 2.0 Mirra Manual
Copyright
Copyright © 2003, 2004 Mirra, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication or the Mirra
software, in source code or object code form, may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording
or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Mirra, Inc., contact information available on
the web at http://support.mirra.com.
This product includes software developed by the Apache Software Foundation (http://www.
apache.org/).
This product includes software developed by the JDOM Project (http://www.jdom.org/).
This product includes software developed by the Jetty Project, Mort Bay Consulting Pty. Ltd.
(Australia) (http://jetty.mortbay.org/jetty/index.html).
This product includes the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition developed by Sun Microsystems,
Inc. (http://java.sun.com/j2se/).
This product includes portions of the Debian Linux distribution (http://www.debian.org/) and
associated packages distributed according to the Debian Free Software Guidelines (http://
www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines).
Copyrights for the open source software components are provided in the Copyrights folder on
your Mirra PC software CD. To request copies of open source software used in this product,
visit the www.mirra.com web site
Trademarks
Mirra and the Mirra logo are trademarks of Mirra, Inc., which may be registered in some
jurisdictions. Windows 2000 and Windows XP are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Changes
The material in this publication is for information only and is subject to change without notice.
While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this document to assure its
accuracy, Mirra, Inc. assumes no liability resulting from errors or omissions in this document,
or from the use of the information contained herein.
Mirra reserves the right to make changes in the product design without reservation and without
notification to its users.

Mirra Manual Release 2.0
Disclaimer
IF THIS PRODUCT DIRECTS YOU TO COPY MATERIALS, YOU MUST HAVE
PERMISSION FROM THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OF THE MATERIALS TO AVOID
VIOLATING THE LAW, WHICH COULD RESULT IN DAMAGES OR OTHER
REMEDIES.
Important Safety Instructions
The following instructions pertain to the risk of fire, electric shock, or bodily injury. Please read
all of these instructions carefully.
1. Save these instructions for later use.
2. Follow all the instructions and warnings marked on this product or included in this
manual.
3. Do not place Mirra on an unstable cart, stand, or table. The product may fall,
causing serious damage to the product.
4. Keep away from excessive heat or moisture. Inadequate ventilation may cause
internal component failure. Do not use your product near water.
5. Never push objects of any kind into the product through the cabinet openings.
Objects may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a
fire or electrical shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product. Unplug the
product from the main power outlet if exposed to liquids, rain, or water.
6. Connect your product only to an AC power source as indicated on the product's
information label. If you're not sure of the type of AC power available, consult
your local power company.
a. CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, FULLY INSERT PLUG INTO GROUNDED
AC OUTLET. DO NOT USE A PLUG WITH A RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS
THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.
b. PROTECT POWER CORDS FROM BEING WALKED ON, ROLLED OVER, CRIMPED,
BENT, OR PINCHED, PARTICULARLY AT PLUGS, CONVENIENCE RECEPTACLES, AND
THE POINT AT WHICH THEY CONNECT TO THE SERVER.
7. Turn off and unplug your product from the main electrical power outlet before
cleaning. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol
cleaners. Aerosol cleaners may be harmful to the environment
Do not attempt to open your Mirra Personal Servers. Only Mirra, Inc. can safely
repair your Mirra. Opening the Mirra or attempting to modify it will subject you to
a risk of electrical shock and voids your warranty. Go to http://support.mirra.com
for service.
Part Number 898-0014 Rev B

Mirra Manual Release 2.0 0
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 1
1.1 System Requirements 1
1.2 Network Requirements 2
1.3 Specifications 2
2 Connecting the Components 2
2.1 Connecting your Mirra to your Computer 2
2.1.1 Setting Up a Single Computer 2
2.1.2 Setting Up Multiple Computers 4
2.2 Connecting your Personal Server to a Power Source 4
2.2.1 Selecting the Power Setting 4
2.2.2 Powering Up the Mirra Personal Server 5
3 Setting Up your Mirra Personal Server 6
3.1 Installing the Mirra PC Software 6
3.2 Configuring your Firewall 13
3.2.1 XP Firewall (Internet Connection Firewall) 14
3.2.2 ZoneAlarm Firewall 15
3.3 Setting Up the Mirra PC Software 17
3.3.1 Mirra Discovery Process 17
3.3.2 Mirra Setup Wizard 19
3.3.3 Creating a New Web Account 24
3.4 Managing your Mirra Personal Server 27
3.4.1 Using the Mirra Icons 27
— System Tray Icon 27
— File and Folder Icons 28
3.4.2 Turning Off the File and Folder Icons 29
3.4.3 Changing Your Email Address 29
3.4.4 Naming your Personal Server 33
3.4.5 Adjusting Network Settings 33
3.4.6 Advanced Network Settings for Manual Addressing 35
3.4.7 Setting Up Multiple Users on One Computer 35
— Using Mirra with Windows XP Fast User Switching 40
3.4.8 Setting Up Multiple Computers with One Mirra 41
3.5 Reading the Status Screen 41
3.5.1 Mirra Tasks 43

1 Release 2.0 Mirra Manual
— Configuring a Mirra Name or Advanced Network Settings 43
— Setting/Changing a Privacy Password 44
3.5.2 Alert Tasks 44
— Dismissing an Alert 44
— Dismissing All Alerts 44
— Viewing Alert Details 44
— Disabling Popups for this Type of Alert 45
— Enabling Popups for this Type of Alert 45
4 Backing Up and Restoring Folders 45
4.1 Selecting Folders for Backup 45
4.1.1 From the Folders Recommended for Backup Window 46
4.1.2 From the Backup Tasks Menu 49
4.1.3 From your Windows Desktop 50
4.2 Checking Backup Status on your Computer 51
4.2.1 Verifying a Backup 51
4.2.2 Accessing Backups on your Mirra from your Desktop 52
4.2.3 Activity Log 52
4.3 Accessing Backups from Computers on your Local Network 53
4.4 Managing and Restoring Backed Up Files and Folders 55
4.4.1 Backup Tasks 55
— Backing Up a New Folder 55
— Selecting a Recommended Backup 55
— Removing a Folder from Backup 55
4.4.2 Restore Tasks 56
— Restoring a Folder to Your Computer 56
— Saving a Folder 56
— Saving a File 57
— Undeleting a File or Folder 58
4.4.3 File/Folder Tasks 59
— Opening a Folder 59
— Opening a Folder in Windows 59
— Opening a File in Windows 60
— Sharing a Folder 61
— Purging Files and Folders from your Personal Server 61
— Viewing Previous Versions of a File 62
4.4.4 Version Tasks 62
— Saving a Selected Version of a File 62
— Restoring a Selected Version of a File 63

Mirra Manual Release 2.0 2
4.4.5 Restoring Folders from Another Computer on your Network 64
4.4.6 Recovering After a Crash 66
4.5 Notes on Backing Up and Restoring Files and Folders 67
5 Accessing Backed Up Folders on the Web 67
5.1 Creating a Mirra Web Account 68
5.2 Enabling Folders for Web Access 71
5.2.1 Web Access Tasks 72
— Enabling a Folder for Web Access 72
— Disabling a Folder for Web Access 72
— Enabling All Folders for Web Access 72
— Disabling All Folders for Web Access 72
— Changing Web Access Preferences 72
5.3 Accessing Files Remotely on the Mirra Web Site 74
5.4 Managing Files on the Web 76
5.4.1 Saving a File 76
5.4.2 Viewing Images 77
5.4.3 Downloading Files 79
5.5 Notes on Accessing Files on the Web 79
6 Sharing Folders 80
6.1 Using the Sharing Screen 80
6.2 Setting Up an Address Book for Web Sharing 81
6.2.1 Address Book Tasks 83
— Adding an Address 83
— Editing an Address 83
— Deleting an Address 84
— Sharing a Folder with an Address 84
6.3 Using the Share a Folder Window 84
6.3.1 Opening the Share a Folder Window 85
— From the Address Book Screen 85
— From the Sharing Screen 86
— From the Backup and Restore Screen 88
— From your Windows PC Desktop or Windows Explorer 89
6.3.2 Selecting a Folder to Share 91
6.3.3 Selecting Recipients to Share With 92
6.3.4 Setting Folder Permissions 94
6.3.5 Notifying Web Share Recipients 95
6.4 Managing Shared Folders 96
6.4.1 Sharing Tasks 96

3 Release 2.0 Mirra Manual
— Sharing a Folder 96
— Opening a Shared Folder 96
— Stopping a Share 96
— Synchronizing Folders 97
— Stopping Synchronization 98
— Changing Folder Shares 99
— Saving a Folder 100
6.4.2 Restore Tasks 101
— Restoring a Folder to Your Computer 101
— Saving a File 102
6.4.3 File/Folder Tasks 103
— Opening a Sub-Folder 103
— Opening a Sub-folder in Windows 103
— Opening a File in Windows 104
— Sharing a Folder 104
— Viewing Previous Versions of a File 105
— Purging Files and Folders 105
6.4.4 Version Tasks 106
— Saving a Selected Version of a File 106
— Restoring a Selected Version of a File 107
6.5 Notes on Sharing Folders 108
7 Reading the Activity Log 108
8 Managing Your Personal Server 109
8.1 Checking Backup Status of all Computers 109
8.2 Turning Off your Personal Server 110
8.3 Returning to Factory Defaults 111
8.4 Changing a Mirra Account 111
8.5 Troubleshooting 112
8.6 Technical Support 112
8.6.1 Telephone Support 112

Mirra Manual Release 2.0 4
Part Number 898-0014 Rev B

Mirra Manual Release 2.0 1
Mirra Manual
1. Introduction
This manual provides information about how to set up your Mirra Personal Server and install,
set up, and use the Mirra PC software.
Your shipping container should include the following components:
•Mirra Personal Server
•AC power cable
•Ethernet cable
•Mirra PC software CD (contains this electronic Mirra Manual)
•Mirra license key sticker (affixed to the Mirra PC software CD sleeve)
•Mirra Quick Start Guide
•Mirra User Guide (formerly entitled The 30 Minute Guide to Using Mirra)
•ReadMe document
•How to Contact Support card
1.1 System Requirements
The Mirra software can be installed on IBM-PC compatible computers that meet these
minimum system requirements:
•Pentium III 450 MHz processor
•256 MB of RAM
•50 MB of free disk space
•Ethernet network support and CD-ROM drive
•Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000, Windows 2000
Server, or Windows 2003 Server
•Broadband always-on Internet connection (such as DSL or cable)

2 Release 2.0 Mirra Manual
1.2 Network Requirements
Your Mirra Personal Server must be connected to a router or hub with an open Ethernet port. If
you have only one computer and connect to the Internet with a broadband modem, you must
install a router or a hub so that your Personal Server and your computer can share the same
Internet connection. If you have a different configuration, see Section 2.1.1, Setting Up a
Single Computer or 2.1.2, Setting Up Multiple Computers, for further details on connecting
your Personal Server to your computer.
Note: If you have a wide area network (WAN) that uses a router to bridge different subnets, you can use
your Personal Server only with computers connected to the same subnet.
1.3 Specifications
2. Connecting the Components
To set up your Mirra Personal Server, place it close to both your router or hub and an AC power
source so that you can connect using the provided Ethernet and power cables.
2.1 Connecting your Mirra to your Computer
The Mirra Personal Server can be used with one computer or with multiple computers.
2.1.1 Setting Up a Single Computer
You must use a router or a hub to share your broadband modem with your computer and your
Personal Server.
Note: We strongly recommend that you use a router rather than a hub because using a router greatly
increases the security of your network.
Table 1: Mirra Specifications
Models: Mirra M-80, M-120, and M-250
Power Requirements: 115 volts or 230 volts (selectable)
Dimensions: 12" H by 5.5" W by 10" D
Weight: 15 lbs/6.9 kilograms
Ethernet Specification: 10baseT/100baseT

Mirra Manual Release 2.0 3
Use the Ethernet cable included in your shipping carton to connect your Personal Server to the
router or hub. You may need to purchase additional cables to connect your computer and your
broadband modem to the router. Once connected in this way, your setup should resemble the
setup shown in Figure 1:
Figure 1 Connecting your Personal Server with a Single Computer
In Figure 1, your Personal Server is connected to a router which is, in turn, connected to a
broadband modem and to the computer. Some broadband modems and wireless access points
include a router, so your setup might look different.

4 Release 2.0 Mirra Manual
2.1.2 Setting Up Multiple Computers
If you already have multiple computers sharing a broadband Internet connection, you probably
already have a router. Check for an available Ethernet port and use the provided Ethernet cable
to connect your Personal Server to the router as shown in Figure 2:
Figure 2 Connecting your Personal Server with Multiple Computers
Your configuration might look different than the one pictured in Figure 2. Connect your
Personal Server to your router in the same way you connect other computers.
2.2 Connecting your Personal Server to a Power Source
2.2.1 Selecting the Power Setting
Your Personal Server’s default power setting is 115 volts AC power, the typical voltage for
homes in the United States. If you have 230 volts AC power, use the red Voltage Select switch

Mirra Manual Release 2.0 5
on the rear panel next to the power cord plug, as shown in Figure 3, to change the power setting
before connecting the power cable to a power source.
Figure 3 Voltage Select Switch
Note: If you're not sure which voltage power source you have, contact your local power provider.
2.2.2 Powering Up the Mirra Personal Server
To connect your Mirra Personal Server to a power source,
Step 1: Plug the appropriate end of the provided power cable into the power slot on the rear of
your Personal Server. Make sure it is firmly and completely seated.
Figure 4 Mirra Power Plug Outlet

6 Release 2.0 Mirra Manual
Step 2: Connect the other end of the power cable to an AC power source.
Step 3: On the front of the Personal Server, press the power button, shown in Figure 5:
Figure 5 Mirra Power Button
• The green light to the right of the power button shines steadily.
• The amber light to the left of the power button starts blinking after a few seconds.
When the amber light shines steadily and a startup tone sounds, you have successfully
installed your Personal Server. (If the amber status light shuts off, check the Mirra web
site for help at http://support.mirra.com.)
3. Setting Up your Mirra Personal Server
3.1 Installing the Mirra PC Software
You must install the Mirra PC software on each Windows XP or 2000 PC, Windows 2000
Server, or Windows 2003 Server in your network that you want to connect to your Personal
Server.
Note: You must have Administrator privileges on your computer to install the Mirra software. However,
Administrator privileges are not required to run the Mirra application. This does not affect most
users since the Windows 2000 and XP operating systems automatically set up personal accounts
with Administrator privileges. It might be an issue only in an office setting.
To install the software,
Step 1: Insert the Mirra CD in the computer's CD-ROM drive.

Mirra Manual Release 2.0 7
The InstallShield Wizard Welcome screen opens:
Figure 6 InstallShield Wizard Welcome
Step 2: Click Next.
The Mirra License Agreement opens:
Figure 7 Mirra License Agreement
Step 3: If you agree, select I accept the terms of the license agreement and click Next.

8 Release 2.0 Mirra Manual
The installer now searches for Microsoft™ .NET Framework 1.1 software and installs
it if it is not already present on your computer.
Note: Although the Mirra software requires only about 12 MB of disk space, the .NET software can
require as much as 23 MB.
Once the Microsoft™ .NET Framework 1.1 software has, if necessary, been installed,
the Disk Space Requirements screen shows you how much space is available on each
of your disk drives and how much space the Mirra software requires:
Figure 8 Disk Space Requirements
Step 4: Review the information provided.
If you need to change the destination drive or remove files to make room, you can do
so on the following screen.
Step 5: Click OK.

Mirra Manual Release 2.0 9
The Choose Destination Location screen asks you to identify the folder on your
computer in which to place the Mirra software:
Figure 9 Choose Destination Location
Step 6: Accept the default destination folder or click Change to select a different destination
folder.
If you click Change, a Choose Folder window opens:
Figure 10 Change Destination Folder

10 Release 2.0 Mirra Manual
Step 7: Select a new folder and click OK.
The Choose Destination Location screen now displays the folder you selected.
Step 8: Click Next.
The Ready to Install screen displays the folder in which your Mirra software will be
installed:
Figure 11 Ready to Install
Step 9: If you want to review or change any previous settings, click Back and make your
changes. When you’re satisfied with your settings, click Install to begin the installation.

Mirra Manual Release 2.0 11
The Setup Status screen keeps you informed of the progress of the installation:
Figure 12 Setup Status
During the installation, you’re asked if you want a Mirra shortcut on your desktop:
Figure 13 Create Desktop Shortcut
Note: Once your Mirra installation is complete, a Mirra icon automatically appears in your System Tray.
However, many people like to use a larger desktop Mirra icon to open the Mirra software.
Step 10: Choose whether you want a Mirra shortcut on your desktop.
If you select Ye s, a Mirra icon appears on your desktop:

12 Release 2.0 Mirra Manual
Next you’re asked if you want a Mirra shortcut on your startup menu:
Figure 14 Create Startup Menu Shortcut
Step 11: Choose whether you want a Mirra shortcut on your startup menu.
If you select Ye s , a Mirra icon appears on your startup menu:
Figure 15 Startup Menu Mirra Shortcut