NXPowerLite for File Servers - FAQ
On which platforms does NXPowerLite for File Servers work?
NXPowerLite for File Servers is compatible with servers running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2 or later, or PCs running Microsoft Windows XP SP3 or later. However, it can be tasked to optimize files on other platforms, as per your license agreement.
Why can I not optimize files on the network?
There are a number of reasons why NXPowerLite may be unable to optimize data across a network. Please check the following:
- Using Windows Explorer, browse to a location on the network and ensure that it is possible to access/modify files
- Ensure the "NXPowerLite File Server" service is configured with an appropriate identity to access the network locations – please follow the steps below:
- Ensure NXPowerLite File Server Dashboard is not open
- Run services.msc
- Double-click "NXPowerLite File Server"
- Switch to "Log On" tab
- Check "This account"
- Enter identity details of an account that has write access to all locations of files that are to be optimized.
- Save changes
- Restart service.
Is NXPowerLite for File Servers processor-intensive?
Yes. NXPowerLite is a processor-intensive process and therefore we recommend using NXPowerLite at times when the processor is idle (e.g. evenings and weekends). A weekly schedule can be set to automate this task.
How fast does NXPowerLite process data?
NXPowerLite has similar operating times in both Optimization and Analysis modes. Running locally, NXPowerLite can process around 100 gigabytes of data in 24 hours, depending on the equipment it is installed on. This will generally be slower if NXPowerLite is tasked to process files on a remote machine over the network.
What's the difference between 'Analysis' mode and 'Optimization' mode?
'Analysis' mode shows the expected storage savings without overwriting any files. 'Optimization' mode will replace all files in the selected locations with optimized versions, reclaiming space on your server. The 'Mode' radio buttons at the top right-hand side of the Dashboard can be used to change the mode (Immediately after installation, 'Optimization' mode will not be available, a registration code must be purchased and entered to unlock 'Optimization' mode.)
Why is my optimization job taking so long?
The optimization/analysis process can take a substantial amount of time depending on the amount of data in the selected locations and the performance of the machine on which NXPowerLite is installed.
Why do I not have the option to optimize files?
Immediately after installation, 'Optimization' mode will not be available; NXPowerLite for File Servers will only analyze files and cannot replace files with optimized versions. A registration code must be purchased and entered to unlock 'Optimization' mode.
Why does my optimization job complete instantly with no files processed?
The 'NXPowerLite File Server' Windows Service may not be configured correctly for optimizing content over a network. The service needs to be configured with an account that has read, write and modify access to files on both the local system and the network. This can be done using services.msc.
I have run a job, but no actual storage space has been reclaimed. Why is this?
This is probably because you ran NXPowerLite for File Servers in 'Analysis' mode. To optimize your files, you need to run the software in 'Optimization' mode. A registration code must be purchased and entered to unlock 'Optimization' mode.
I've purchased NXPowerLite for File Servers. Why does it tell me I'm still evaluating?
You need to register NXPowerLite for File Servers to take it out of evaluation mode. To do this, click the 'Enter registration code' link on the Dashboard. Enter your registration code in the resulting window; the code will be validated when the 'OK' button is clicked. If the code is valid, the "About NXPowerLite for File Servers" window will appear with your confirmed registration details.
If you don't know your registration code, enter your email address in the box below and we'll send it to you (you must enter the email address that you originally used to purchase NXPowerLite for File Servers).
How much storage space have I saved?
If 'Analysis' mode has been set for the job, no actual storage savings will be achieved. NXPowerLite for File Servers must be set to 'Optimization' mode to overwrite files and reclaim space. It is possible to see the volume of expected or actual storage savings in the job report. If 'Optimization' mode has been set, the storage space saved can be seen on the Dashboard or in the report.
Will NXPowerLite for File Servers interfere with my backup or archiving processes?
It shouldn't. NXPowerLite for File Servers preserves a file's last accessed and modified dates when it optimizes them. Any backup or archiving system that uses these attributes will not be affected.
Does NXPowerLite change a file's creation or last modified dates?
NXPowerLite will not change a file’s creation or last modified dates when optimizing files. These attributes remain untouched.
Where can I find more information about what tasks NXPowerLite for File Servers is performing, or errors that occur?
Every time NXPowerLite for File Servers starts or stops for any reason, an entry is written to the Windows Application event log. Entries are also written for any fatal errors from which NXPowerLite could not recover. These error entries contain information about the precise nature of the problem, aiding diagnosis and resolution of the issue.
Why does the prefix '\\?\' appear on paths?
This prefix is used internally by NXPowerLite to enable access to paths over 260 characters in length, which would not otherwise be accessible on some versions of Windows. You may see this syntax prefixing a path in the Event Log, or in the 'Error Log', 'Inaccessible Locations' or 'Unparsable Files' sections of a report.
What happens if I close the Dashboard while NXPowerLite for File Servers is running?
Closing the Dashboard has no effect on the current job; the NXPowerLite File Server service will continue to analyze or optimize files in the background. When the Dashboard is re-opened, it will reconnect to the service and continue to show updated status information. To stop the current job, use the red 'Stop' button to the right of the progress bar on the Dashboard.
Where is NXPowerLite data stored on my server?
NXPowerLite for File Servers stores its configuration in the following locations:
- Under the Registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Neuxpower\NXPowerLite Fileserver\4.0
- In a subfolder of the "All Users profile" folder named 'Neuxpower\NXPowerLite for File Servers'
- Depending on the version and configuration of Windows, the 'All Users profile' may be in a number of different locations. The %ALLUSERSPROFILE% environment variable should contain the full path to this folder.
Can NXPowerLite optimize content on a NAS/SAN (NetApp/Novell/EMC etc)?
Yes. NXPowerLite cannot be installed directly on a NAS Server, but it can be installed on a Windows machine and configured to optimize content on a connected network storage device. Please note that configuration of the 'NXPowerLite File Server' Windows Service may be required.
How does the weekly schedule work?
The Weekly Schedule feature allows a running job to be automatically paused and resumed at certain times of day, in order to avoid the resource-intensive optimization process competing for server resources. The expected approach is that users will configure NXPowerLite once and run an initial optimization job. Subsequent jobs can then be started (manually) as and when necessary, simply by opening the Dashboard and clicking a single button. Files that have already been optimized will be skipped on subsequent jobs.
Is it possible to schedule a job to start at a specific time and date?
No. While you are able to set the times at which NXPowerLite for File Servers will run on a weekly basis it is currently not possible to set specific times for a job to start.
When a schedule is set, does it restart from the beginning at the next scheduled window?
The Weekly Schedule feature is designed so that a job can be configured and run outside of 'Peak hours'. Once the job is started, it will run until completion, pausing where it has been configured NOT to run, then resuming when it has been configured to run.
Can NXPowerLite start or re-start a job automatically?
No. Jobs have to be started manually.
What is a 'non-optimizable' file?
Non-optimizable files are files that NXPowerLite cannot process. This could be because the file type cannot yet be processed by NXPowerLite's engine, or it could be because the file is password protected or encrypted.
Do I need to have Microsoft Office installed to optimize a Word, Excel or PowerPoint file?
No, you don't need to have Microsoft Office installed.
Will optimized JPEG images be resized?
No. NXPowerLite never resizes JPEG images. Instead, it optimizes them by re-encoding at the user-set quality setting (default ‘8’), downsampling chroma information to 4:2:0 and ensuring that the final stage of JPEG compression (entropy coding) uses Huffman tables optimized for the specific image. This ensures that JPEG optimization is as safe as possible for administrators, while still offering substantial savings.
How does NXPowerLite Desktop Edition operate in conjunction with NXPowerLite for File Servers?
NXPowerLite for File Servers is fully compatible with NXPowerLite Desktop Edition (3.0.5 and later). Both products are 'content aware‘, knowing whether a file has been previously optimized and the settings applied. Therefore both products can make an intelligent decision as to whether to optimize a file and which settings to use. You can run both products over the same file multiple times, without affecting the integrity of its content.
Is NXPowerLite available for 64-bit platforms?
NXPowerLite is currently 32-bit software. It can be run on a 64-bit machine (where it will use the 32-bit sub-system), but it cannot take advantage of 64-bit capabilities.
What languages is NXPowerLite for File Servers available in?
NXPowerLite is available in the following languages: English, German, Japanese.
What does 'Flatten embedded documents' mean?
Embedded documents (such as Adobe Photoshop images or Microsoft Visio diagrams) tend to store far more information than Word, Excel and PowerPoint actually need to display them (a Photoshop image will, for example, store all of the layer information that built up during its creation). Flattening an embedded document removes this 'behind the scenes' data, leaving only the information that Word, Excel or PowerPoint needs in order to correctly display it. This drastically reduces the file size, but means that the document will no longer be editable from within Word, Excel or PowerPoint.
Can I download older versions of NXPowerLite for File Servers?
We would always strongly recommend using the most up-to-date version of NXPowerLite. But if you need to use an older version for any reason, please contact our support team. Please note that version 3.0 was the first version of NXPowerLite for File Servers (then known as NXPowerLite File Server Edition).
If you require further assistance, please contact our support team.
