Frequently Asked Questions About Mirra About the Mirra Personal Server
The Mirra Difference
Disaster Recovery
Security
MirraGuardTM Data Protection Guarantee
Warranty and Expansion Options
About the Mirra Personal Server
Q. What is the Mirra Personal Server?
A. The Mirra Personal Server is a powerful hardware/software solution that integrates high-capacity storage with content protection, remote access, sharing and multi-computer synchronization. Designed with the consumer in mind, Mirra makes it easy to securely share files and access them over the web while delivering peace of mind through a reliable, automatic backup process.
The Mirra solution consists of three integrated components:
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Mirra hardware: an always-on network appliance with high capacity content protection
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Mirra software: an application that provides file protection, file sharing, web access and file synchronization for both Macs and Windows PCs
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Free Mirra Web Services: secure web access and sharing via http://www.mirra.com/
Q. When I buy a Mirra Personal Server, what do I get?
A. You receive the Mirra hardware, the Mirra software on CD-ROM, and a free Mirra Web Services account. Included in the packing box are a power lead and an Ethernet cable to be used to connect Mirra to your home network.
Q. Is Mirra a storage device?
A. Yes. Mirra is an intelligent storage device specialized for continuous backup and sharing of data on computers connected to a local network. However, Mirra is not a traditional "NAS" file server for direct data storage. Files stored on Mirra are always backups of files on your Mac or Windows PCs.
Q. How many gigabytes can it back up?
A. Mirra can back up data from multiple PCs up to 500GB, depending upon which model you choose.
Q. Is Mirra a RAID device?
A. No. Mirra uses a single drive to backup data on a PC or Mac. Mirra is a "virtual RAID" device in the sense that it contains a mirror of your data. You always have two copies of your data: the original copy on your Mac's or PC's hard drive and a mirrored copy on your Mirra.
Q. What if I have a static IP address?
A. The Mirra web access and Internet file sharing services work with both static and dynamic IP addresses from your broadband Internet supplier. Once you connect your Mirra to your local area network, it works automatically with DHCP to configure itself on your network.
Q. Can I program Mirra to back up my files once a day?
A. You don't need to pre-program your Mirra to back up files. Mirra's automatic, continuous back-up keeps your files up to date.
Q. How many Macs or PCs can be backed up to one Mirra?
A. There's no limit to the number of computers that can be connected to a Mirra Personal Server. Practically speaking, if the connected computers are being actively used on a daily basis, Mirra recommends connecting up to five computers to one Personal Server for optimal back-up performance, although more can be used. Please note that it's easy to set up and use more than one Personal Server on the same network to distribute the work of backing up multiple PCs onto separate Mirras.
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The Mirra Difference
Q. How is the Mirra Personal Server different from other servers?
A. Unlike traditional file servers, which can be difficult to administer and maintain, the Mirra Personal Server is easy to set up and does not require any ongoing administration or additional operating system software. Mirra is a much more affordable solution than a traditional file server.
Mirra does not appear on your network as an accessible network drive and cannot be used for direct storage. Simply install Mirra software on each computer and it automatically discovers and configures your Mac or PC for Mirra backup and file sharing.
Q. Can the Mirra Personal Server back up other servers?
A. Yes. The Mirra Personal Server can automatically back up data only from a server running Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 Server operating systems. Simply install the Mirra software on a server to configure the folders to be backed up to Mirra.
The Mirra is not meant to be an Enterprise backup solution.
Q. Can the Mirra Personal Server run applications over the network or remotely through the web?
A. No. The Mirra Personal Server is not an application server.
Q. How is Mirra different from a NAS (Network Attached Storage) or direct attach storage device?
A. The Mirra Personal Server is optimized for the back-up, protection, and web access of your digital content. While NAS products allow you to store files directly on the device, with the Mirra Personal Server you will always have two copies of your data (the original on the computer and the back-up on the Mirra Personal Server). With NAS devices, if the hard disk crashes, any data stored on the device could be permanently lost.
The Mirra Personal Server also offers a number of key advantages over NAS for protecting, accessing, and sharing your digital content:
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Automatic, continuous backup (NAS devices require additional backup software)
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Overwrite and undelete protection (files deleted or overwritten to NAS are gone forever)
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Synchronization of folders across multiple PCs or Macs on the local network (NAS devices may offer file sharing but don't offer synchronization)
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Remote web access (NAS devices typically are accessible only on the local network)
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Secure web sharing (most NAS devices do not offer any web access or sharing)
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Easy to set up and easier to use (NAS devices can be difficult to install and configure)
Q. Can I buy the Mirra software and install it on my own server?
A. No, we do not sell our software independently. Instead, we have chosen to integrate the Mirra software with our hardware and services to make the Mirra Personal Server easy for our customers to set up and use.
Q. Does Mirra back up all my data?
A. Mirra is optimized to back up your valuable data files every time you save. It continuously backs up files on any PC or Mac connected to the Mirra via a local area network. Mirra backs up only data files, such as documents, photos, databases and email. It does not back up encrypted, hidden, or system files, application software, or operating system files. These can be reinstalled, rather, from their source CDs/DVDs.
Q. How do I access my files through the web?
A. Once you've created a Mirra Web Account and Mirra has backed up folders with your data, you can enable those folders for web access. You can sign in to your account at http://www.mirra.com/ from any Internet-connected computer and see the files you've backed up on your Mirra. Simply select a file and download to your computer. You can make changes to the file and save the changes, then upload the file back to the Mirra. Web access works even if your home or office computers are powered down, as long as the Mirra is powered on.
Q. How does Mirra web sharing work?
A. Using the Mirra application on your desktop, choose folders to share and provide email addresses of people you'd like to share with. Mirra notifies those people by email that you have shared files with them. When they open the email and click on the enclosed link to http://www.mirra.com/, they are invited to create a free Mirra Web Account (if this is their first visit to http://www.mirra.com/). Then using a browser on any computer from anywhere, they can go to http://www.mirra.com/, sign in, and download files from the folder you've chosen to share with them. If you've granted them permission, they can upload their own files to your shared folder.
Q. What is the difference between the Mirra Personal Server and Mirra Sync and Share?
A. The Mirra Personal Server was the first generation Mirra product, and Mirra Sync and Share is the second generation product. The core hardware is the same for both products. Mirra Sync and Share has larger capacity hard drives (320GB and 500GB) and a new chassis with Seagate branding and an external power supply. Seagate's Mirra software works on both generations of Mirra product.
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Disaster Recovery
Q. How does Mirra help with data recovery following a catastrophic disaster?
A. The Mirra is an ideal solution for a local backup, and having two copies of your data increases the likelihood that you can recover data in the event of a disaster.
Q. What if there's a lightning strike in my area?
A. Mirra recommends that you plug your Mirra Personal Server into a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) or power strip with surge protection, as you do with any important electronic device. Doing so will help protect your Mirra from a power surge caused by a lightning strike.
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Security
Q. How secure is Mirra?
A. Mirra uses 128-bit SSL encryption when your folders are accessed over the Internet, either by you or by people to whom you have granted access. Folder sharing and access to your personal files require a password- and email address-protected account that is authenticated every time a folder is accessed. Only authorized users are allowed to access your folders, and then only those folders you specify. For more information on Mirra security, please refer to the Mirra product manual.
Q. Are my files stored on the Mirra web site for web access and sharing?
A. Mirra does not store any of your files on its servers. Your files always remain safe and secure on your Mirra Personal Server. The Mirra Web Service ensures secure access to your data by authenticating all those to whom you've granted access to your data.
Q. How does Mirra help with HIPAA compliance?
A. If you operate a medical practice in the United States, the Mirra helps your business comply with HIPAA standards for the security of private information and patient records.
Q. Can a virus on my PC or Mac infect files backed up on a Mirra?
A. No, a virus cannot infect your backed up files. The Mirra uses the Linux operating system, which is not susceptible to Windows-based viruses.
Q. How does Mirra work with firewalls?
A. Mirra communicates out through a router firewall using the same port that you use to visit secure web pages. If you can surf the web from your computer and visit secure web sites, such as shopping sites, Mirra can function in your home or office. No inbound ports need to be open, so your network stays fully secure. If you are using personal firewall software on your PC, some ports must be opened to allow communication between the PC and Mirra. Most software firewalls detect Mirra during installation and prompt you for permission to open the appropriate ports.
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MirraGuardTM Data Protection Guarantee
Q. What is MirraGuard?
A. MirraGuard is Mirra's exclusive Data Protection Guarantee, designed to safeguard Mirra owners against data loss due to computer hard drive failure. The guarantee provides protection to a registered owner of a Mirra Personal Server in two ways:
1) In the event of a PC drive failure, technical support will assist with data restoration from the Mirra to a replacement PC.
2) If a PC and the Mirra should fail at the same time, within 3 years of the Mirra purchase date, the Seagate Data Recovery Service will provide up to a $1000 of free data recovery services to try to return your data to you.
Mirra Guard does not cover data that can't be restored because of a lost Backup Password or data that was archived to the Mirra.
Q. Does Mirra guarantee that I'll get my data back?
A. We'll do everything in our power, including providing up to a $1000 of free data recovery from the Seagate Recovery Service, to retrieve your data from the Mirra. However, we cannot guarantee that your data will be recovered, and cannot guarantee which data files are on the Mirra Personal Server.
Q. What if I get my data back, but not everything I thought was there is there?
A. Mirra can only return the computer data that was actually recoverable from your Mirra Personal Server.
Q. How is MirraGuard different from the warranty for the Mirra Personal Server?
A. MirraGuard is intended to guarantee the safety of the data on your computer in the event of a hard drive crash, it is not a warranty for the Mirra appliance hardware and does not impact our regular warranty coverage. The warranty for your Mirra hardware is one year parts and labor exchange and is available to the original owner of a Mirra Personal Server.
Q. Do I need to register my Mirra to take advantage of the MirraGuard Guarantee?
A. Yes, in order to take advantage of the MirraGuard Data Protection Guarantee, you must be a registered product owner. To register, please visit http://www.mirra.com/
Q. What if I bought my Mirra before the launch of the MirraGuard Data Protection Guarantee? Is the program retroactive?
A. Yes, as long as you are running version 2.0 (or greater) of Mirra PC software and have registered your Mirra Personal Server.
Q. How long does the MirraGuard Data Protection Guarantee last?
A. Three years from the date of purchasing your Mirra Personal Server.
Q. How many times can I take advantage of the MirraGuard guarantee?
A. Only one instance of data extraction per Mirra Personal Server is covered by this program.
Q. What if I can't access the data on my Mirra and I've deleted files from my PC that I want to access?
A. The MirraGuard Data Protection Guarantee does not cover archived data or a lost or forgotten backup password.
A backup means the same data is in two or more different places at the same time. If the Mirra fails, the data is still on the PC. If the PC fails, the data can be restored from the Mirra to another computer or repaired computer as long as the data was not deleted from the C: drive of the original computer before it failed. The folders and files would then be marked as deleted on the Mirra. The Mirra is a backup server, not an archive. Files on the Mirra marked as deleted are considered an archive, not a backup, and can only be restored one file at a time from a working Mirra. To restore an entire folder (along with the contents) that is marked for deletion on the Mirra, the folder must be Undeleted first. Undelete is only available for the original operating system and Mirra software installation. This was part of Mirra security and is by design.
If the Mirra fails and there was old data archived to it, then the MirraGuard Data Protection Guarantee does not cover archived data.
Q. If I send my Mirra Personal Server into Customer Support, is my data safe? How does Mirra protect my confidential files?
A. A failed Mirra that is still in warranty will be returned to Seagate. The customer will then receive a functionally equivalent replacement Mirra.
We will remove all data from the failed Mirra's hard drive using a utility that completely erases the data before recycling the unit. If the Mirra's hard drive is non-functional and cannot be erased, it will be destroyed.
Q. What if the reason I can't see my data is because the hard drive in my Mirra Personal Server has failed?
A. If the Mirra has a confirmed hard drive failure, then check the warranty status at our warranty support page.
Your current data is still safe on your PC, but we recommend you make a backup as soon as possible to guard against PC failure. It is the Mirra user's responsibility to find another backup solution until the replacement Mirra can be shipped.
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Warranty and Expansion Options
Q. Does Mirra offer a warranty?
A. Yes it did. For more information about the warranty, please visit the Mirra Warranty page.
Q. If I purchase the entry-level Mirra and later realize I need more space, can I expand storage?
A. In an effort to keep the Mirra Personal Server affordable, we do not offer hard drive expansion. Mirra recommends that you purchase a unit with enough capacity to meet your anticipated growth needs. You can also use more than one Mirra to back up multiple computers.
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