Multiple Laptop Set up

Grumpy_chap

I have one other thing I might try.
I have this other socket which I showed upthread:

Grumpy_chap said:

With the input from others, this socket we think is a mini display port, so I might buy an adaptor from that to HDMI and then plug into the KVM switch.  This type of lead is usually cheap so it must be worth a try.

jamesd

Yes, that looks like mini-DP. Good luck. Just don't get to the end of your easy return time with Amazon, compatibility issues with KVMs happen and a KVM change is the way to deal with it as a last resort.

Grumpy_chap

Yippee!
My Mini-Display-Port to HDMI adaptor arrived, plugged it all in, rebooted and everything works perfectly.
Thank you so much to everyone here who provided support and suggestions and solved this for me - I'm really pleased with the outcome.

jamesd

Excellent news. I hope you enjoy your new, easier, work environment!

Grumpy_chap

My KVM system is all working really well and continues to do so. 

Occasionally, one of the laptops does not "see" the HDMI monitor through the KVM (but does "see" the keyboard and mouse) - this is always at start up so I simply reboot everything and it is fine second time around.  An oddity, but certainly one I can live with.  I will be fully WFH for at least a few months more as the office will not be reviewed for re-opening until "at least mid-January" and all hinges around the COVID situation moving from "amber" to "green" though what needs to happen for that assessment is anybody's guess.

Anyway, I wanted to pick up on the NAS drive:

Deleted_User said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Deleted_User said:

Grumpy_chap said:

 My NAS is a WD Western Digital My Cloud.

Assume you mean the WD MyCloud Home? If not please let me know - there is a desktop and EX2 version among the range which are slightly different.

This is the NAS that I have:


EDIT - I found the link from when I purchased the NAS through Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FOKN7D8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details

Ahh brilliant, that model is much easier to work with for backups, ignore my previous long winded post - not relevant now.

Map the network drive if you haven't already with these instructions from WD:

https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25436/h/p2/session/L3RpbWUvMTYyODU5NDMzMS9nZW4vMTYyODU5NDMzMS9zaWQvZlVtMXhvcVBRRGR1ZmNlMkJ6dmtLczBYYmsxalRWUEFXNFFTJTdFeldlRnBlWXN5MldQelduMGxRWnN3SzcyQ0N0b244WWtQNkxJbkp2RmpfTFklN0VJSWtpQ0l1d0pBRWhSJTdFSU15Z3JoM3VVTXFGZ2k2eDZ1TDJvc2JnJTIxJTIx#subject2

And then follow the Windows File History instructions:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/backup-and-restore-in-windows-10-352091d2-bb9d-3ea3-ed18-52ef2b88cbef

I have received a notification from WD advising that support for the device will end April 2022 and after that I will only be able to use as a local NAS:

"As a result, you’ll only be able to access it locally. After April 15, 2022, your device will no longer receive remote access, security updates, or technical support. To help protect your content, we recommend that you back up your device, disconnect it from the internet, and protect it with a strong, unique password."

So, actually, I have never used the remote log-in, so losing that facility is no big deal to me.  I do, however, have the NAS set up as a network drive connected via ethernet and all the laptops in the house can access the NAS without any ado.  Does having the NAS plugged into the ethernet network count as being connected to the internet?

jamesd

In practical terms, just having it connected to your LAN won't be the remote access from the internet threat that's worrying them because without port forwarding or a DMZ covering the drive's IP address it won't be possible to scan the internet to look for your drive, nor connect to it from outside your LAN.

Local threats from people connecting to your LAN, including via wifi, would remain.

Grumpy_chap

Thanks @jamesd - I'll carry on as I have been.

[Deleted User]

Grumpy_chap said:

Thanks @jamesd - I'll carry on as I have been.

What @jamesd said is correct but missing the fact that a WD MyCloud device can open its own port on your router if you have UPnP enabled.

I had same email but my affected model died a couple of years ago - but I do remember that it automatically forwards a port on your router to itself if remote access and UPnP is enabled.

It remains to be seen whether WD will issue one final firmware update in April 2022 that will close that port but I wouldn't leave it to chance - check whether remote access is enabled and whether it has forwarded that port - if so, disable in the web interface.

Grumpy_chap

Grumpy_chap said:

My NAS is a WD Western Digital My Cloud.

Grumpy_chap said:

This is the NAS that I have:


EDIT - I found the link from when I purchased the NAS through Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FOKN7D8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details

So, this afternoon my NAS (as above) started to become temperamental.

Obviously, this is an essential device and critical if it fails completely.  It would not allow access at all across the network or via USB but does allow serviceable access if plugged directly into the network port of the computer (though that prevents use of other network services).  To allow it to reset, I have unplugged overnight.

My Amazon account history shows that I purchased the NAS in January 2016, so this is quite an old device now, and they are plugged in and powered up 24-7 so that is quite hard I guess.

In the scheme of things, NAS drives are relatively low cost.  Am I wise to simply consider that as soon as it starts to get temperamental, it is time to simply go for a new NAS?

I like the simplicity of using the current NAS as a home network device.
I never really got the remote access via the web working as it should have.
Backup from the current NAS was never simple.

Can the intelligent minds of this forum give any suggestions as to a suitable replacement device or other next steps to ensure my data is secure?

Vitor

OneDrive, actual cloud storage