Airport Extreme and external HDD's

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kiwisoma

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#176933 16-Jul-2015 15:47

Hello

Anyone using an Airport extreme with a USB hub to access multiple external HDDs wirelessly? I'm looking for a NAS like setup that combines time machine and multiple ipads been able all access the files on the external HDDs, usually via VLC streamer.

Is this even possible with a Airport Extreme?

Thanks.

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chiefie

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#1345568 16-Jul-2015 15:57

Quick search came up with this: http://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/2bm2pt/

I have Airport Extreme but I don't use the external HDD on the USB port. Though the last time I checked, I think it is either configured as TimeMachine HDD or Disk access but not sure if it can be used over wireless for iOS devices.

Another link: http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/91837/how-can-i-browse-the-hard-disk-attached-to-my-airport-extreme-from-my-iphone

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wellygary

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#1345576 16-Jul-2015 16:04

Yip,

I run a setup similar to what you seem to be seeking

Two external USB drives are shared as SMB shares, and used as the basis for an XBMC media setup in the lounge,

this is via ethernet,

But with an app like Filebrowser or goodreader you can browse the share on IOS devices,
I can view the movies on both the Ipad and iphone anywhere around the house via the Wifi network originating from the Airport Extreme.

It should be no problem to select one of those drives as the Time machine Target Drive on the Mac you want to keep backed up,

jtan

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#1345579 16-Jul-2015 16:12

I used to have a Airport extreme (the older, non AC version) connected to a USB hub and this was connected to some USB hard drives. Although it was connected fine and there were no issues accessing the data, the speed at which data transferred through the device was abysmally slow (although note this was through wifi). I'll also add that when the drives are not in use they spin down, and they take a few seconds to spin back up when you haven't used them recently.

Connecting the drive to a computer which was wired to the unit through ethernet gave greater performance (but still connecting to the computer I was using by wifi). On the plus side, drives did show up under the finder under the AEBS when both connected to the local network (using bonjour) but also showed up over the internet when associated with an Apple ID.

If possible it would probably be better to connect your drives either using a proper NAS or through a computer, but you will be able to get by by connecting your drives directly to the AEBS or time capsule.