Connecting USB External Drive to Router

Joe126 · 01-29-2007, 01:12 PM

I have an external drive that connects to my computer with usb, and I have a lynksys router with ethernet ports. I would like to connect the drive to the router so that i can access it from other computers in the hose even when my main computer is off. Is there any type of adapter I can purchase that would allow me to connect the two?
Thanks,
Joe

**manic** · 01-29-2007, 02:55 PM

I really dont think it is possible to communicate with a hdd on a router.
Must have a os, If Im wrong Ive musta missed something for a long time.

johnwill · 01-29-2007, 06:44 PM

You need a NAS (Network Attached Storage) box for your hard disk if you want it to be independent. You can't connect a standard USB port to the router.

Joe126 · 01-30-2007, 12:52 PM

I found the Linksys Storage Link for USB 2.0 Disk Drives NSLU2, but it is very pricy, i was hoping to find a type of cable that could convert the signal. If there isnt such a thing would you reccomend the linksys or something else?

johnwill · 01-30-2007, 06:19 PM

I don't think you're going to do a bunch better for network attached storage. Here it is for $79.95: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...OTC-pr1c3watch

Joe126 · 01-31-2007, 12:31 PM

thank you for your help

**JamesO** · 01-31-2007, 06:39 PM

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...tId=2407183&cp

For $40 you can put your pull the HD and put it in this device. Give you either USB or Network connection. Only issue is you need a small software module to connect to unit (does not use TCP/IP but a proprietary network stack) and it does not mount automatically.

JamesO

johnwill · 02-01-2007, 10:51 AM

The Ximeta unit is not a standard NAS, however it does work well, and has better performance than most cheap NAS boxes. I have two of these, and now that they're on sale again, I think I'll get a 3rd.

Note that you have to have the NDAS driver installed to access these, so any non-Windows environment won't have access to them. This is both good and bad, but it's something to be aware of.

**JamesO** · 02-01-2007, 06:39 PM

JW, yea I have a lot of the Ximeta units installed and working. Again, yes you need their driver to access them and they do not auto reconnect.

Because of the special driver, pseudo MAC address and password requirement, they are quit secure. MAC and Linux can connect to them as well. Can also function in a shared environment.

Not sure what you mean about any non-Windows environment won't have access to them??

Have some question about the driver stability as I have had a few crashes with Windows XP. Requires a patch for XP Media Center Edition from Microsoft as this almost always causes a crash.

JamesO

johnwill · 02-02-2007, 05:58 PM

I truthfully wasn't aware that you could access them with Linux and Mac environments.

As far as the drivers, I've been running a slightly older version of the Ximeta driver, 3.10.1230, because it's compatible with my MediaGate MG-35 media server. I have the newer version of the driver on a couple of other boxes. I haven't had any crashes that I can lay at the doorstop of the Ximeta drivers.

**JamesO** · 02-03-2007, 05:08 AM

Oh, forgot to mention that the Ximeta link at Radio Shack shows the price ending in xx.97, which means this is now a close out item and may not drop more in price, until it is fully discontinued, which means they may actually offer the item for under $1! Given it appears to be a discontinued item, you may need to search for it to find it. Use the online search tool on the Radio Shack web site. If you cannot find it by zip code, call some of the local stores and ask them to search their market area for it.

JamesO

johnwill · 02-03-2007, 10:35 AM

It's not available on-line, and the closest place is a good drive for me, so I decided against it. :)

**JamesO** · 02-03-2007, 12:51 PM

Ask your local store if they will have it transferred to their store. They used to do this at no cost as they want to get the discontinued merchandise off their reports!

JamesO

johnwill · 02-05-2007, 05:36 PM

I went back and it appears to be totally gone from the area.

01-29-2007, 01:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Joe126 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5 OS: Windows Vista	Connecting USB External Drive to Router I have an external drive that connects to my computer with usb, and I have a lynksys router with ethernet ports. I would like to connect the drive to the router so that i can access it from other computers in the hose even when my main computer is off. Is there any type of adapter I can purchase that would allow me to connect the two? Thanks, Joe

01-29-2007, 02:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 3,491 OS: xp	I really dont think it is possible to communicate with a hdd on a router. Must have a os, If Im wrong Ive musta missed something for a long time. __________________

01-29-2007, 06:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	You need a NAS (Network Attached Storage) box for your hard disk if you want it to be independent. You can't connect a standard USB port to the router. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

01-30-2007, 06:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I don't think you're going to do a bunch better for network attached storage. Here it is for $79.95: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...OTC-pr1c3watch __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-01-2007, 10:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	The Ximeta unit is not a standard NAS, however it does work well, and has better performance than most cheap NAS boxes. I have two of these, and now that they're on sale again, I think I'll get a 3rd. Note that you have to have the NDAS driver installed to access these, so any non-Windows environment won't have access to them. This is both good and bad, but it's something to be aware of. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

01-30-2007, 12:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Joe126 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5 OS: Windows Vista	I found the Linksys Storage Link for USB 2.0 Disk Drives NSLU2, but it is very pricy, i was hoping to find a type of cable that could convert the signal. If there isnt such a thing would you reccomend the linksys or something else?

01-31-2007, 12:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Joe126 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5 OS: Windows Vista	thank you for your help

01-31-2007, 06:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...tId=2407183&cp For $40 you can put your pull the HD and put it in this device. Give you either USB or Network connection. Only issue is you need a small software module to connect to unit (does not use TCP/IP but a proprietary network stack) and it does not mount automatically. JamesO

02-01-2007, 06:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	JW, yea I have a lot of the Ximeta units installed and working. Again, yes you need their driver to access them and they do not auto reconnect. Because of the special driver, pseudo MAC address and password requirement, they are quit secure. MAC and Linux can connect to them as well. Can also function in a shared environment. Not sure what you mean about any non-Windows environment won't have access to them?? Have some question about the driver stability as I have had a few crashes with Windows XP. Requires a patch for XP Media Center Edition from Microsoft as this almost always causes a crash. JamesO

02-02-2007, 05:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I truthfully wasn't aware that you could access them with Linux and Mac environments. As far as the drivers, I've been running a slightly older version of the Ximeta driver, 3.10.1230, because it's compatible with my MediaGate MG-35 media server. I have the newer version of the driver on a couple of other boxes. I haven't had any crashes that I can lay at the doorstop of the Ximeta drivers. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-03-2007, 05:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	Oh, forgot to mention that the Ximeta link at Radio Shack shows the price ending in xx.97, which means this is now a close out item and may not drop more in price, until it is fully discontinued, which means they may actually offer the item for under $1! Given it appears to be a discontinued item, you may need to search for it to find it. Use the online search tool on the Radio Shack web site. If you cannot find it by zip code, call some of the local stores and ask them to search their market area for it. JamesO

02-03-2007, 10:35 AM	#12 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	It's not available on-line, and the closest place is a good drive for me, so I decided against it. :) __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-03-2007, 12:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	Ask your local store if they will have it transferred to their store. They used to do this at no cost as they want to get the discontinued merchandise off their reports! JamesO

02-05-2007, 05:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 32,581 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I went back and it appears to be totally gone from the area. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience