Seagate Maxtor Central Axis User manual

Central Axis™Home Edition
Network Storage Drive
Reviewer’s Guide

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
ii
Reviewer’s Guide
Revision History
Date Version
6/18/08 0.01
© 2008 Seagate Technology LLC. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.
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All examples with names, company names, or companies that appear in this guide
are fictitious and do not refer to, or portray, in name or substance, any actual names,
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While every effort has been made to ensure technical accuracy, information in this
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Seagate, Seagate Technology, and the Wave logo are registered trademarks of
Seagate Technology LLC in the United States and/or other countries. Maxtor, the
Maxtor stylized logo, Central Axis, EasyManager, DriveLock and SimpleView are
either trademarks or registered trademarks of Seagate Technology LLC or one of its
affiliated companies in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks
or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. When referring
to hard drive capacity, one gigabyte, or GB, equals one billion bytes and one
terabyte, or TB, equals one trillion bytes. Your computer’s operating system may use
a different standard of measurement and report a lower capacity. In addition, some
of the listed capacity is used for formatting and other functions, and thus is not be
available for data storage. Quantitative usage examples for various applications are
for illustrative purposes. Actual quantities will vary based on various factors,
including file size, file format, features and application software. Seagate reserves
the right to change, without notice, product offerings or specifications.
Seagate Technology LLC
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Scotts Valley, CA 95066

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
iii
Table of Contents
Preface
A Note to Reviewers................................................................................1
Contact References.................................................................................1
Additional Resources ..............................................................................1
Product Overview
Key Features and Uses...........................................................................2
Additional Features .................................................................................3
Product Information.................................................................................5
Hands-On With Central Axis
Documentation ........................................................................................6
Installation Tips........................................................................................6
Daily Backup ...........................................................................................8
Restore Files .........................................................................................10
Web Access and Sharing ......................................................................11
Organizing Files ....................................................................................16
Media Drive ...........................................................................................16
Hands-On Summary..............................................................................16
Supplemental Information
Technical Specifications ........................................................................17
System Requirements...........................................................................18

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
1
Preface
A Note to Reviewers
This guide provides information to help you craft your independent
review of the Maxtor® Central Axis™ network storage drive. The
media-relations team at Seagate hopes you find this guide helpful;
we look forward to your feedback.
Contact References
As you conduct your review, we encourage you to call with
questions. Though we’ve worked hard to ensure that you have all
the facts needed to write an accurate and comprehensive review,
occasionally a question may arise that isn’t covered in this guide.
Media contact, Not for publication
Nathan Papadopulos, [phone]
[email protected]
For publication; Refer readers to
• Maxtor Web site: www.maxtorsolutions.com
• Central Axis product information:
Additional Resources
Product images and additional information are available in the
Seagate Website News Room at:
www.seagate.com/www/en-us/about/news_room/media_kits
or from the media contact person listed above.

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
2
Product Overview
A unique product to protect every home computer user
The Maxtor Central Axis network drive is a smart, simple way to
automatically back up the valuable digital content on all the
computers in a home network. Backups happen automatically – a
welcome change from the tedious chore of copying content to
CDs, DVDs, or thumb drives.
Key Features and Uses
In addition to its automated backup capability, Central Axis can
securely provide access and sharing of content via any Web
Part
1
CENTRAL AXIS
AUTOMATES FILE
BACKUP FOR EVERY
PC OR MACINTOSH
ATTACHED TO THE
HOME NETWORK
With its 1TB SATA II,
7200 RPM drive and
connectivity speeds of up
to 1000Mbps, the $329.99
Maxtor Central Axis
delivers automatic backup,
streams multimedia to
networked TVs and digital
music players, and
provides secure access to
content via any Web
browser.

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
3
browser. That makes it a snap to grab a file from any computer
attached to the home network and share content with friends and
family everywhere. For a truly rich home entertainment
experience, it's easy to create a centralized library of household
photos, videos, and music that offers anytime access and streaming
to networked TVs, digital music players, and computers.
Top Five Features
Maxtor Central Axis Home Edition
Network Storage Drive
Automated Data
Protection Automatically backs up all network-
connected PCs and Macs to one central, safe
location. Simply choose which files and
folders want to back up and how often,.
Central Axis does the rest.
Secure Internet Access Securely access stored content and even view
images and slideshows from any Internet-
connected PC, Mac, or laptop. No special
software is needed, and the firewall stays
intact.
Easy File Sharing Invite friends and family to view and
download select photos and other files via the
Web. It’s even possible to authorize guests to
upload their own content.
Convenient Media Access
And Streaming Enjoy the convenience of a centralized,
always-accessible library of the household’s
digital music, videos, and photos, and stream
media from the Central Axis to any
networked computer or home entertainment
device.*
Printer Sharing Enable network printing in your household by
connecting a USB printer to your Central
Axis.
* Requires a UPnP AV-compatible player.
Additional Features
The reason most home computer users don't back up their data is
the hassle that is usually involved. Central Axis was designed for
ease of use and with power management that is sensitive to our
environment.
•Multiversion File Backup. When you back up files, the
Central Access Manager software saves 10 previous, or
historical, versions of each revised file stored on your
Central Axis.

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
4
•Ease of use. Central Axis is designed with easy installation
and user-friendly design in mind. Simply plug the Central
Axis into an available Ethernet port on the home network
router and it automatically configures itself to the network.
The unit quickly loads and organizes content by file type;
provides at-a-glance storage and backup status; and sends
out e-mail notifications when a system event warrants.
Organize Files. With the Drag and Sort™ feature, users can
easily organize files automatically.
•USB port for expansion. Located on the rear panel, the
USB 2.0/1.1 port can be used to connect an additional
external hard drives or a printer.
•Efficient power management. Central Axis conserves
energy thanks to an environmentally smart power-
management utility that spins down the drives when they
are not being accessed. When the drive is accessed, the
drives return to full speed almost instantaneously.
•Hardware security. To protect Central Axis from physical
theft, the back of the unit features a lock slot compatible
with Kensington® MicroSaver® and ComboSaver®
braided steel security cable solutions.

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
5
Product Information
Product Information
Maxtor Central Axis home edition
Network Storage Drive
In Brief An easily connected and self-configuring network
storage Drive, Central Axis provides automatic data
backup, secure Web access and content sharing, and
convenient media access and streaming for the home
network.
Capacity 1 terabyte (equivalent to 1,000 GB)
Interface Ethernet and USB 2.0
Compatibility PC running Microsoft® Windows Vista™ and
Windows XP™
Warranty 5-year limited warranty
Suggested Price $329.99 MSRP*
In the Box • Maxtor Central Axis storage Drive
• Maxtor Installation CD
• Quick Start Guide
• Central Access Manager Software
• Ethernet Cable
• AC Power Adapter
• User Guide on CD
• 5-Year Limited Warranty
Dimensions 6.75"H x 2.5"W x 6.0"L
(171.45 mm x 63.5 mm x 152.4 mm)
Weight 2.2 lbs. (1,000 g)
Date Announced June 25, 2008
* Actual dealer price may vary.

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
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Hands-On With Central Axis
Easy installation and setting up automatic backup
Configuring Central Axis can be done in just a few minutes.
Simply connect it to an Ethernet port and install the client backup
utility software. To access files through the Web, you also set up a
free account on the Global Access Web site. We think you’ll agree:
Central Axis is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before, and
you’ll never want to be without it again.
Documentation
Central Access includes the following documentation:
•Quick Start guide
•Central Axis User guide
•Global Access guide
•Admin guide
Installation Tips
Please refer to the included step-by-step Quick Start guide for
detailed setup instructions. This section provides tips that you may
find useful. Central Access supports Microsoft® Windows®
Vista™, Windows XP™, and Apple® Mac OS X 0.4.11 or later.
Part
2
THE CLIENT
SOFTWARE IS USED
TO SET UP
SCHEDULED
BACKUPS. BOTH
WINDOWS AND
MAC OS ARE
SUPPORTED

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
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•An Ethernet cable is included. Connect Central Axis to an
available network port before switching on the power.
•Switch on the power then install the client software.
The “My Drives” screen.
Click the “My Drives” icon to display a list of connected Central
Axis devices (top screen), then click the Settings button to display
the lower screen. Select “Maxtor Central Axis Admin Web
Page.”
On the second Admin Web Page displayed in your browser, set up
the Central Axis Storage Drive and assign an administrator
password so non-administrators cannot change settings.

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
8
Set up a Central Axis storage Drive user account in the Central
Access Manager application on desktop so you can copy data to
the Central Axis storage Drive or schedule backups.
•Create a free Seagate Global Access account on the Seagate
Global Access Web site so you can access files stored on
your Central Axis storage Drive from any computer with an
Internet connection. Note: Although you can store and
work with files 2 GB or larger on your Central Axis, you
cannot access or add files 2 GB or larger via the Seagate
Global Access Web site.
•Link your Seagate Global Access account and your Central
Axis storage Drive account using the Central Access
Manager application. Doing so allows Seagate Global
Access to know which files on the Central Axis storage
Drive to show you.
Daily Backup
The Central Axis Backup feature allows you to schedule a backup
of selected folders, edit backup settings, launch an immediate
A FREE SEAGATE
GLOBAL ACCESS
ACCOUNT ON THE
SEAGATE GLOBAL
ACCESS WEB SITE
PROVIDES ACCESS TO
FILES STORED ON
YOUR CENTRAL AXIS
STORAGE DRIVE FROM
ANY COMPUTER WITH
AN INTERNET
CONNECTION

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
9
backup, and restore backed up files. Each PC running the Central
Access Manager software can setup one backup plan.
You can create one backup plan, choosing from two types:
•Simple Backup: Pre-configured to back up your Windows
XP “My Documents” folder or Windows Vista “Personal
Folder” every evening at 10:00 p.m.
•Custom Backup: You choose the folders to be backed up,
set a backup destination and schedule.
Click the Backup icon (treasure chest) to display the backup screen
To create a Custom Backup plan, choose “Custom Backup.” You
can then select folders and choose the time and days you want the
backup to start.
CENTRAL AXIS SAVES
10 PREVIOUS, OR
HISTORICAL,
VERSIONS OF EACH
REVISED FILE,
ALLOWING YOU TO
RECOVER A PREVIOUS
VERSION

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
10
Backup screen options after creating a backup plan.
After you create a backup plan, the Backup screen changes and
new options and buttons are presented.
•Edit Backup Settings allows you to choose folders, select
file types, and adjust the schedule.
•Restore Files allows you to restore the most recent version
of a file or prior a historical version.
•The On/Off toggle switch is used to prevent the scheduled
backup from running without the need to delete it.
•The Back Up Now button executes the backup plan
immediately. Back Up Now is also available from the icon
in the Windows System Tray near the clock.
Restore Files
Central Axis saves 10 previous, or historical, versions of each
revised file, allowing you to recover a previous version. You can
restore a saved historical version of a file based on the date it was
last modified or you can restore the most recent version.
•Historical Version: When you choose this option, a screen
displays allowing you to select which version of the file to
restore and whether you want to restore it to its original

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
11
location or a different location.
•Most Recent Version: Choosing this option opens a
Windows Explorer window that displays the contents of the
Central Axis backup folder To restore the most recent
version of multiple files and folders, clicking on them and
drag to the desired location on your computer.
Web Access and Sharing
The Web Access & Sharing feature is what makes Central Access
different from other products. With this powerful capability, you
can access files stored on Central Axis from any computer with an
Internet connection. You can also share selected stored files with
others via the Web. Additional detailed information on Web access
can be found in the Seagate Global Access User Guide.
•To enable or disable Web access, you choose options in the
Web Access & Sharing window in the Central Access
Manager.
•You manage Web Sharing by setting preferences on the
Shared Folder Management page on the Maxtor Central
Axis admin Web page.
To use Web Access, you’ll use two accounts that you will link:
•Seagate Global Access account, used for logging onto the
Global Access Web site
•Central Axis user account for your desktop
WITH WEB ACCESS
YOU CAN ACCESS
FILES STORED ON
CENTRAL AXIS FROM
ANY WEB-CONNECTED
COMPUTER

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
12
The Web Access and Sharing screen.
Click the “Web Access & Sharing” icon in the Central Access
Manager. If you didn’t set up a free Web-based Global Access
account during the initial setup process, you can do that now by
clicking on “Visit Web Access Site” in the Web Access & Sharing
screen. To assure authentication, Account setup sends you an e-
mail message through which you complete the free registration
process.
Global Access screen to create an account. This screen appears in
the Web browser.
YOU GRANT FILE
ACCESS TO OTHERS
THROUGH THE
SHARING FEATURE

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
13
Enabling and Disabling Web Access
Web Access allows you to access the same folders on your Central
Axis that you access via the Central Access Manager desktop
application.
But before you can access folders via the Web, you must enable
Web Access for those folders. To do this, you link your Maxtor
Central Axis local (desktop) account to your Seagate Global
Access account.
•In the Central Access Manager application on your PC,
click “Enable/Disable Web Access” then sign in to your
local desktop account.
•On the next screen, sign into your Seagate Global Access
account.
You have now linked your desktop and Web accounts. Web access
is now enabled. Since this is your own account, you can now
access all of your folders and files from any Web-connected
computer.
Access Via the Web
In the previous steps, you used your own PC to authenticate your
accounts and then enabled Web access by linking them.
Remember, to access Central Axis from another computer, you go
through the Global Access site, then through your own computer
and into the Central Axis unit. Each has its own login that you
linked in the previous step. Now, when you log in to Global
Access, you’ll be taken directly to your files without needing to do
a second sign on.
•From another computer, go to the Global Access site at
http://globalaccess.seagate.com and log in. Your user name
is the e-mail address you entered when setting up the
Global Access account. To assure a secured environment,
the logon times out after a period of inactivity.
WHEN YOU USE WEB
ACCESS, YOU GO
THROUGH THE
GLOBAL ACCESS SITE,
THEN THROUGH YOUR
OWN COMPUTER AND
FINALLY INTO THE
CENTRAL AXIS UNIT

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
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After signing into the Global Access site, your Central Axis folders
are listed. You can now navigate, access and download files, and
you can share folders with others.
You can download the complete contents of a folder by clicking on
the Download icon.
Sharing Invitation
To share a file with someone else, select the folder and click on the
Share Folder icon in the left menu panel. Sharing is done only at
the folder level; you cannot choose to share an individual file.
EACH E-MAILED
SHARING INVITATION
CONTAINS A LINK
THAT EXPIRES AFTER
21 DAYS

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
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Folder sharing invitation browser screen.
To share a folder, enter the address(es) of the invitee(s) along with
a subject line and other explanatory message text, then click the
Share button. The addressee received an e-mail invitation with a
link that expires after 21 days.
File directory screen.

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
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Organizing Files
The Drag and Sort feature automatically sorts files into a selected
set of folders as you drag the files to your Central Axis. You can
sort files into your personal folders for restricted access by others
or into your public folder for open access to everyone.
•In the main Central Access Manager desktop window, click
“Drag and Sort.” For restricted access select the “My”
option; for open access, select the “Our” option. Be sure the
toggle switch is set to “on.”
Media Drive
Media Drive allows you use Central Axis with any UPnP-enabled
or DLNA compliant personal computers and home entertainment
devices on your home network, such as Microsoft Xbox360 and
Sony’s PlaysStation3 in order to play back digital photos, music,
and videos. You can export your favorite music and video
playlists and even search your iTunes Music folder for music and
video files.
Media Drive recognizes files in the Our Photos, Our Music, Our
Movies, My Photos, My Music, My Movies, and My Multimedia
folders. If you put your files in these folders, they are
automatically available for use with your entertainment system.
Hands-On Summary
You’re seen that Central Axis is an easy to use Ethernet-connected
1TB drive for performing daily backups from every computer on a
home network. But Central Axis is much more. Far simpler to use
than an FTP Drive, Central Axis provides an easy yet secure way
to access files from the road and is a secure mechanism for sharing
folders with others.

REVIEWERS’ GUIDE: MAXTOR CENTRAL AXIS
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Supplemental Information
Technical Specifications
Maxtor Central Axis Home Edition
Network Storage Drive
LAN IEEE 802.1, IEEE 802.3u
Transmission
Speed 1000Mbps/100Mbps/10Mbps
Connectivity 10/100/1000 RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet port
Expansion and
Sharing USB 2.0/1.1 port for additional external hard drives or
printers
Drive
Performance SATA II, 7200 RPM
Compatibility UPnP AV 1.0 compliant
Part
3