Re-Setting Up My Cloud EX2 Ultra

Western Digital’s My Cloud EX2 Ultra is a popular network-attached storage (NAS) solution designed for small businesses, creative professionals, and home users who need secure, centralized storage. Over time, you may need to re-set up your device—whether after a factory reset, replacing hard drives, or resolving connectivity issues. Fortunately, the process is straightforward if you follow the right steps.

When to Re-Set Up Your My Cloud EX2 Ultra

There are several scenarios where a full re-setup may be necessary:

After a firmware update failure or corruption.

When upgrading or replacing hard drives.

If the device becomes inaccessible on the network.

Following a factory reset for troubleshooting.

Setting up in a new environment with different network configurations.

Knowing when and why to start fresh helps you avoid complications and ensures a smooth setup.

Step 1: Prepare Your Device

Before beginning, make sure:

The EX2 Ultra is connected via Ethernet to your router.

You have access to a PC or laptop on the same network.

The drives are properly inserted and seated in the enclosure.

If you are reusing existing drives, be cautious—initializing or formatting them during setup may erase data. Always back up important files beforehand.

Step 2: Access the Dashboard

Once powered on and connected, the My Cloud EX2 Ultra should be discoverable:

Open a browser and type in: http://wdmycloudex2ultra.local/

or use the IP address assigned by your router.

This will open the dashboard, the main interface for managing the device.

If this is a fresh setup, you’ll be guided through the initial configuration wizard.

Step 3: Configure RAID and Storage Options

During setup, you’ll need to decide how to configure your drives:

RAID 0 for maximum capacity and speed, but no redundancy.

RAID 1 for mirroring, ensuring data is duplicated across both drives.

JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks) for treating each drive independently.

For most users, RAID 1 is the safest option, as it protects against a single drive failure. Content creators or businesses may prefer RAID 0 for speed but must keep external backups.

Step 4: Create User Accounts and Shares

The dashboard allows you to:

Add users with unique credentials.

Create shared folders for projects, media, or personal files.

Set permissions to control who can access specific data.

This step is especially useful in collaborative environments or family households.

Step 5: Enable Remote Access

One of the biggest advantages of the My Cloud EX2 Ultra is remote file access:

Enable Cloud Access in the dashboard.

Link your device to a MyCloud.com account.

Install the mobile or desktop apps to manage files anywhere.

Step 6: Fine-Tune Settings

Once the basics are set up, customize further:

Enable automatic firmware updates for security.

Configure backups from PCs, Macs, or external drives.

Set up third-party apps like Plex for media streaming.

Conclusion

Re-setting up your My Cloud EX2 Ultra ensures that your NAS functions reliably and efficiently. From preparing the hardware to configuring RAID, setting user permissions, and enabling remote access, the process is straightforward. By carefully planning your setup and keeping backups in place, you can maximize performance and ensure your data remains safe and accessible both locally and remotely.