Networked Storage - Accessible over wired and wireless connections...help?

visidigi

Ok,

First up, I'm not a n00b on computers, infact I'm very competent in most aspects...

Networking on the other hand I am useless at. Okay so I can setup and secure a wireless router etc, but beyond that I've never bothered to learn as it simply held no interest for me.

The thing is I need to now setup a storage box - something where we can pull files down locally or stream music/video if necessary. Not great expense as its mainly to store key data too, such as photos etc etc.

I was going for one of these... D-Link ShareCenter Pulse but I am not sure if thats really going to work for me.

Systems that would need access - these are on wireless: 2 x laptops, 1 x Android Tablet on Wireless, Xbox 360 (possibly?), Sony 380 Blu Ray (with the required Wifi dongle).

The wired system is upstairs next to the router (a TP Link 1043nd with an external USB port with FTP - not sure if this could also do what I need it to do?)

What's the best way for me to go about this? I was even looking at one of those HP micro servers, but not sure if thats suitable too.

Help, I'm close to giving up lol.

closed

Plug a drive into your usb port and try media sharing

http://www.tp-link.com/Resources/document/TL-WR1043ND_V1_User_Guide.pdf

section 4.8

Whatever route you go, don't forget about backups if the data is important.

visidigi

are you saying that's the best way? From what i read you have to set it up to access via FTP and it can only access so many folders - in other words its really limited.

Its looking like I'm going to go down a raid setup - currently looking at boxes from Buffalo which seem ok - I'm just struggling to understand how a wired and wirelessly connected device will access it if that makes sense?

closed

According to the manual it can share the entire partition if required, may as well try it out with your various pieces of equipment if you have a spare usb drive available before looking at more expensive options. Raid overcomplicates matters imo, and not the same as having a backup on a separate unconnected drive, also uses more electricity and noiser.

visidigi

you know, didnt think of trying it out with a simple 16gb USB stick - Im such a clown

I'll try that before hooking up one of the 2GB externals I have, and will just have to ensure I manually sync across from the router connected drive to the wired PC connected.

That should keep me busy for a few days, thanks