QNAP NAS Missing from Windows File Explorer "Network"

[John Giberson]

I have recently installed the latest version of ASUSWRT-Merlin in hopes that it might solve my problem I am having with my ASUS RT-AC88U. I have recently switched routers. I was previously using a DLink DIR-868L (cylindrical shaped unit). It only had the four ethernet ports. At this point I am able to see EVERY computer/NAS on my network and had the ability to create mapped network drives.

Since installing the ASUS RT-AC88U, I can NO longer see the NAS in the NETWORK section of Windows 10 File Explorer. This is creating a real issue and I am wondering if anyone can assist me. Do I have a setting wrong somewhere??? It is DEFINITELY an issue with the router because as soon as I hook up my old DLink everything is fine.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Since installing the ASUS RT-AC88U, I can NO longer see the NAS in the NETWORK section of Windows 10 File Explorer.

Can you still see all the other computers on the network?

Can you still access the NAS directly by using its name or IP address? (in other words, the NAS is still accessible but it's just not showing in Windows Explorer)

 

[RMerlin]

The issue is which whichever client on your network has become the network master browser, as this client is responsible for providing a list of network shares. You will have to find out which client became the new master browser, or force the router to become it.

 

[sfx2000]

The issue is which whichever client on your network has become the network master browser, as this client is responsible for providing a list of network shares. You will have to find out which client became the new master browser, or force the router to become it.

With QTS - if the QNAP is intel based, and current (QTS 4.3.3 or later), you have the option to let it be the SMB Master Browser, and QTS keeps their Samba instance on the most recent stable branch of Samba.

 

[John Giberson]

Can you still see all the other computers on the network?

Can you still access the NAS directly by using its name or IP address? (in other words, the NAS is still accessible but it's just not showing in Windows Explorer)

YES,,,I still see all other computers on the "Network" tab. YES I can access the QNAP NAS. I can also MAP my network drives but ONLY from within the QNAP QFinder application

 

[John Giberson]

With QTS - if the QNAP is intel based, and current (QTS 4.3.3 or later), you have the option to let it be the SMB Master Browser, and QTS keeps their Samba instance on the most recent stable branch of Samba.

Thanks for the response. YES..I am running QTS 4.3.3 I am a bit confused regarding the Samba instance. As I stated, when I put back the Dlink DIR-868L router, the QNAP once again appears in my "Network" tab and where do I find the option to make QTS the SMB Master Browser?

THANKS

 

[john9527]

Have you been disabling SMBv1 on your network in response to the recent exploits? Unfortunately, that can break a lot of things, including network discovery on Win 10 with some clients. If you've been making changes there, try setting things back to the default, and stepping through it again.

 

[sfx2000]

Thanks for the response. YES..I am running QTS 4.3.3 I am a bit confused regarding the Samba instance. As I stated, when I put back the Dlink DIR-868L router, the QNAP once again appears in my "Network" tab and where do I find the option to make QTS the SMB Master Browser?

THANKS

It's under the Windows/AFP/NFS settings - on the Windows tab, you should see a button for options - if you're x86 based on the QNAP, you can also enable SMB3.0 there as well...

Also, when you get a chance, if you haven't done already, apply the hotfix for the Samba issue they released back in late May...

If you set the QNAP as the master browser, then disable Master Browser in the AsusWRT - normally there's an election if two Master Browsers are on the same LAN segment...

I'd trust QNAP's Samba over AsusWRT's - nothing against Asus, but QNAP's whole reason for being...

 

[sfx2000]

More details here -- http://docs.qnap.com/nas/4.3/cat2/en/index.html

 

[John Giberson]

It's under the Windows/AFP/NFS settings - on the Windows tab, you should see a button for options - if you're x86 based on the QNAP, you can also enable SMB3.0 there as well...

Also, when you get a chance, if you haven't done already, apply the hotfix for the Samba issue they released back in late May...

If you set the QNAP as the master browser, then disable Master Browser in the AsusWRT - normally there's an election if two Master Browsers are on the same LAN segment...

I'd trust QNAP's Samba over AsusWRT's - nothing against Asus, but QNAP's whole reason for being...

I want to THANK you and everyone else for all of the great information. I have attemped to do this as well. I found the QNAP hotfix for Samba this morning and I have installed it but have not yet had a chance to see if that makes any difference. I also have not yet tried the Samba 3.0 but will do that when I get home later today. I have activated Master Browser and Samba 3.0 on QNAP and everything is still working fine on my Dlink DIR-868L. I will try the ASUS later today

I tried everything else with NO JOY. Once again swapped the ASUS for the DLink and BINGO....QNAP NAS shows up in my network tab under the "Computers" heading and I am able to map network drives (also my Acronis Backup software recognizes the QNAP NAS as an option to backup/restore to.....it does NOT do that with the ASUS RT-AC88U) YES...My QNAP is an upgraded TVS-671 x86 with an Intel i7-4790S processor and 16 gb ram.

 

[John Giberson]

I have now tried this again this afternoon and still NO JOY??!! I cannot understand what could be the problem with an even more advanced router than my old D-Link DIR-868L. I have have updeated the Samba on my QNAP and applied the hotfix. It is now running Samba 3.0 and the QNAP is alse set as the Master Browser. I have turned off the Master Browser setting on the ASUS RT-AC88U. All of my other computers show up in the "Computer" section of the Networks tab in file explorer EXCEPT my QNAP NAS. I switched back to the D-Link and AGAIN the NAS showed up in the computer section. I have shutdown, rebooted, re-attached, added on system at a time and still NO JOY. HOW CAN THIS BE???!!!

 

[Jack Yaz]

I have now tried this again this afternoon and still NO JOY??!! I cannot understand what could be the problem with an even more advanced router than my old D-Link DIR-868L. I have have updeated the Samba on my QNAP and applied the hotfix. It is now running Samba 3.0 and the QNAP is alse set as the Master Browser. I have turned off the Master Browser setting on the ASUS RT-AC88U. All of my other computers show up in the "Computer" section of the Networks tab in file explorer EXCEPT my QNAP NAS. I switched back to the D-Link and AGAIN the NAS showed up in the computer section. I have shutdown, rebooted, re-attached, added on system at a time and still NO JOY. HOW CAN THIS BE???!!!

Not sure if this has been asked, but is there a Workgroup setting on the NAS?

 

[John Giberson]

Not sure if this has been asked, but is there a Workgroup setting on the NAS?

Good question....it is set EXACTLY the same as the other computers. Keep in mind....everthing works FINE on my old router

 

[Jack Yaz]

Good question....it is set EXACTLY the same as the other computers

And on the Asus?

Check Domain too.

 

[John Giberson]

And on the Asus?

Check Domain too.

I am able to see ALL the other devices on the LAN.....ONLY the QNAP NAS is not showing up

 

[John Giberson]

I am TOTALLY blown away....the people at the ASUS support center have LESS technical knowledge than salespeople at BEST BUY!!! I just explained the same issue to one of them and they told me I could only map network drives from my computer!!! DUH!!!

 

[John Giberson]

This is what I have been told by ASUS support. They say the router cannot see the NAS because it has greater than 4 tb of disk storage installed. WTF??? RU KIDDING ...in a NAS?

RT-AC88U 3.0.0.4.378.4129 8 2TB 4TB 4TB 4TB 4TB 4TB 2GB Support* 4GB 8GB 8GB 8GB 8GB 2GB

It APPEARS that ALL their routers will NOT SUPPORT more than 4 TB of disk attached to the router.

http://event.asus.com/2009/networks/disksupport/

I find this incredibly hard to believe.

I think what they are actually talking about is the size a drive that can be attached to the USB port.

 

[ColinTaylor]

What subnet settings are you using? I notice that on the D-Link the default is 192.168.0.x whereas the Asus is 192.168.1.x

Regarding the 4TB disk limit: That is a red herring. They are talking about storage devices directly connected to the router via the USB port, which has nothing to do with what you are doing.

 

[RMerlin]

It APPEARS that ALL their routers will NOT SUPPORT more than 4 TB of disk attached to the router.

This is correct, however this has nothing to do with your issue.

Have you confirmed yet which client ends up as your LAN's master browser? The master browser is chosen through an election, so you can't know for sure which one won the election unless you check.

https://scottiestech.info/2009/02/14/how-to-determine-the-master-browser-in-a-windows-workgroup/

Enabling the feature only tells that device to put int a more weighted vote toward winning - it doesn't ensure you will win if another one is putting in an equal or higher priority.

 

[sfx2000]

Not sure if this has been asked, but is there a Workgroup setting on the NAS?

Yes, there is, and I was going to bring that one up - thanks for mentioning it, as this is valid in context...