sharing external hard drive

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sqlpro

516 posts

Ultimate Geek

#67420 1-Sep-2010 14:53

Hello , not sure if this is the right forum for my question but..

i've external westernal digital hard drive connected to my desktop. using networking features in the windows i shared this drive on the network. so that i can access this drive using my laptop (i've linksys wireless grouter modem).

my question is, since the drive is connected to my desktop if i want to access this drive using my laptop i must turn pc on . i was wondering if there is another/better way to share my external disk ? rather than running my pc also even though i am not using it. thanks for the advise.

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#375340 1-Sep-2010 15:20

You could get something like this
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=379897

It allows you to connect your USB drive to the network. Note: This was the first device I found, I can't recommend it as I know nothing about it. It's a nice size though and seems to do most things.

sqlpro

516 posts

Ultimate Geek

#375341 1-Sep-2010 15:25

thanks for that graemeh. there isn't much info about this product on this site.
how does it work ? you plug external drive to this and this dongle need to be connected to anything ?

I want make to informed decision before purchasing this. thanks for the advise.

sqlpro

516 posts

Ultimate Geek

#375347 1-Sep-2010 15:34

btw any ideas on these products.. belking wireless share router!

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=388647

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#375353 1-Sep-2010 16:01

sqlpro: thanks for that graemeh. there isn't much info about this product on this site.
how does it work ? you plug external drive to this and this dongle need to be connected to anything ?

I want make to informed decision before purchasing this. thanks for the advise.

Yes, you plug the external drive into the box and the box into your home network. From your description this means the wireless router. The box you've found looks like it will do the job too.

The only boxes I've used have the hard disk inside so they are similar to what you are looking for but different so I'm not really in a position to give more detailed suggestions.

sqlpro

516 posts

Ultimate Geek

#375355 1-Sep-2010 16:04

just looked thru specs of NAS dongle, seems it supports only FAT32 where as mine NTFS so need to look for one that supports.

anyone used NAS dongles can please advise for recommended products ? thanks.

MrGaribaldi

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#375356 1-Sep-2010 16:07

Is this network at work or an at home network??
Just wondering is all...

2 reasons mainly:
Reason 1: IF at work then there can be a security issue as is an unknown source plus normally larger organization have a network storage capability there ready for use.

Reason 2: If this is a at home network u can as well, couple of options is the Apple Airport Systems can allow u to connect an external drive and share it that way Don't worry they come with software to allow window systems to access it as well, share it and configure basic options on the hard drive k

sqlpro

516 posts

Ultimate Geek

#375360 1-Sep-2010 16:19

MrGaribaldi: Is this network at work or an at home network??
Just wondering is all...

2 reasons mainly:
Reason 1: IF at work then there can be a security issue as is an unknown source plus normally larger organization have a network storage capability there ready for use.

Reason 2: If this is a at home network u can as well, couple of options is the Apple Airport Systems can allow u to connect an external drive and share it that way Don't worry they come with software to allow window systems to access it as well, share it and configure basic options on the hard drive k

yes , its for home network. man, those apple airport system are quite expensive !! around $300
http://store.apple.com/nz/product/MC340X/A/AirPort-Extreme?fnode=MTY1NDEyMQ&mco=MTMzNzk2NTM

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dklong

167 posts

Master Geek

#375367 1-Sep-2010 16:37

Hi SQLPro

Given that it is an external USB drive, is there a reason you don't just reach over and unplug the USB cable from the desktop and plug it into your laptop directly?

Just a thought....

Cheers

sqlpro

516 posts

Ultimate Geek

#375378 1-Sep-2010 17:19

dklong: Hi SQLPro

Given that it is an external USB drive, is there a reason you don't just reach over and unplug the USB cable from the desktop and plug it into your laptop directly?

Just a thought....

Cheers

could do but this drive is big and requires power connection. if i connect it to laptop that defeats purpose of having a laptop , no mobility !

floydbloke

3525 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#376382 3-Sep-2010 20:57

graemeh: You could get something like this
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=379897

It allows you to connect your USB drive to the network. Note: This was the first device I found, I can't recommend it as I know nothing about it. It's a nice size though and seems to do most things.

I recently bought one of these:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26320

very similar to the ascent unit but has two USB ports and I landed it for less than $60NZ. Upgraded the firmware to SnakeOS (have a look at the reviews/comments in the product description). Can also function as a print server (and other functions). Works a treat, one drawback is that throughput is a little slow especially if it's trying to do other things at the same time (e.g. downloading a torrent). Apparently choice of filesystem makes a performance difference so had a bit of fun learning some rudimentary linux to create an Ext3 partition.

(If you decide to order one make sure you also get a 'travel' adapter, $5 or so from the same site, the power box has a US mains plug)

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

sqlpro

516 posts

Ultimate Geek

#376436 4-Sep-2010 07:33

floydbloke:
I recently bought one of these:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26320

very similar to the ascent unit but has two USB ports and I landed it for less than $60NZ. Upgraded the firmware to SnakeOS (have a look at the reviews/comments in the product description). Can also function as a print server (and other functions). Works a treat, one drawback is that throughput is a little slow especially if it's trying to do other things at the same time (e.g. downloading a torrent). Apparently choice of filesystem makes a performance difference so had a bit of fun learning some rudimentary linux to create an Ext3 partition.

(If you decide to order one make sure you also get a 'travel' adapter, $5 or so from the same site, the power box has a US mains plug)

hi there ,thanks for the link. i dont download any torrents just want to share external drive on the network. how is easy it is to setup and use? btw my drives are NTFS , does it work ? thanks for the advise.

nakedmolerat

4629 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#376439 4-Sep-2010 07:41

how much you willing to spend?

sqlpro

516 posts

Ultimate Geek

#376442 4-Sep-2010 07:48

nakedmolerat: how much you willing to spend?

upto $80

floydbloke

3525 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#376527 4-Sep-2010 12:03

sqlpro:

hi there ,thanks for the link. i dont download any torrents just want to share external drive on the network. how is easy it is to setup and use? btw my drives are NTFS , does it work ? thanks for the advise.

I only had a brief play with the firmware that ships with it. A browser based menu where you pretty much follow your nose, it's a bit Chinglish but seemed to work OK. Can't confirm if that supports NTFS.

The SnakeOS definitely support NTFS drives. My reason for going Ext3 is that it's supposedly quicker. Also straight forward to set up. It's basically Linux with a browser based GUI. Specify your workgroup, it will automatically detect and mount the USB drive. Create a share, I haven't bothered with users and security, read/write permission for everyone, and your windows PC should be able to navigate to it (like you're doing now with your PC based shares).

Note that it's not wireless so you need a spare ethernet port on your switch or router, the unit ships with a Cat5 cable. If you do upgrade to SnakeOS it might take a bit of fiddling about with IP addresses.

Happy to help out if you do get one and need some assistance. There is also an active forum for it on GoogleGroups for support, right from the basics through to some fairly hardcore Linux coders.

Essentially I've now got a 1TB NAS for less than $190, as well as a print server. I wouldn't run a business critical ERP system on it, but it's absolutely fine for the kids to be able to access their homework from any of the 4 PCs in the house.

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

sqlpro

516 posts

Ultimate Geek

#376682 4-Sep-2010 18:44

wonderful, thanks for that floydbloke. will look into that one.