Iomega 320GB Network Hard Drive

mark55man

sorry for being dense but does this have to be physically connected with an ethernet cable to my hub, or can it connect wirelessly to the hub.

if this one does have to be physically connected can anyone recommend a NAS that can be connected wirelessly (IYKWIM)

TIA

joshtbh

needs a wire dude, not sure on any wireless ones sorry.

seth

mark88man wrote: »

sorry for being dense but does this have to be physically connected with an ethernet cable to my hub, or can it connect wirelessly to the hub.

if this one does have to be physically connected can anyone recommend a NAS that can be connected wirelessly (IYKWIM)

TIA

Sony and a few others make wireless Wifi NAS, some take the small 2.5" drives (laptop drives) for lower power, cooler running, others the cheaper but more power hungry 3.5" drives (these need a 12V and a 5V supply Vs just a 5V supply for the 2.5"). But the cost per Gig is lower for the 3.5" drives.

Another option is to buy a wireless router that will access USB hard disks and share then as a NAS.

As well as purchasing a unit to do this, you could buy a high end wireless routers and install the custom firmware with NAS capabilities this might be the cheapest option, for those technically inclined.

mark55man

Thanks will investigate as you suggest - but possibly not the firmware changes. !!

Mark

mandm65

seth wrote: »

Sony and a few others make wireless Wifi NAS, some take the small 2.5" drives (laptop drives) for lower power, cooler running, others the cheaper but more power hungry 3.5" drives (these need a 12V and a 5V supply Vs just a 5V supply for the 2.5"). But the cost per Gig is lower for the 3.5" drives.

Another option is to buy a wireless router that will access USB hard disks and share then as a NAS.

As well as purchasing a unit to do this, you could buy a high end wireless routers and install the custom firmware with NAS capabilities this might be the cheapest option, for those technically inclined.

Hi seth
Thanks for your technical info, i just like to tap on your expertise.
I have an old wireless US Robotics router/modem and at this stage i am happy with that. I would like to buy a NAS HD, but unable to decide which option is best. While searching i came across external Network Adapters alternative to NAS HDs.

I like this idea as you connect adopter to your router (ethernet port) and then attach external drives (i think USB) to the adopter. In this way any external HDs connected to Network Adapter become NAS HDs.

I am not sure if i fully understood the implications of such a solution, hence the question. I would appreciate if you could just shed some light to the above option.
cheers

dc

mandm65 wrote: »

Hi seth
Thanks for your technical info, i just like to tap on your expertise.
I have an old wireless US Robotics router/modem and at this stage i am happy with that. I would like to buy a NAS HD, but unable to decide which option is best. While searching i came across external Network Adapters alternative to NAS HDs.

I like this idea as you connect adopter to your router (ethernet port) and then attach external drives (i think USB) to the adopter. In this way any external HDs connected to Network Adapter become NAS HDs.

I am not sure if i fully understood the implications of such a solution, hence the question. I would appreciate if you could just shed some light to the above option.
cheers

External Network Adapter seem a posh name for a Print/er Server. Can be quite expensive.

aj2001

cost co 88.00 inc vat 500gb wd network mybook drive.

mandm65

How about this

http://www.xpcgear.com/me747gk.html
or
http://www.xpcgear.com/usblandisk.html

They seems good value for money! Anyone has any opinion?
cheers

dc

mandm65 wrote: »

How about this

http://www.xpcgear.com/me747gk.html
or
http://www.xpcgear.com/usblandisk.html

They seems good value for money! Anyone has any opinion?
cheers

You can get these enclosures in the UK for similar prices Maplin SVP ebuyer Aria CCL etc. Remember you still have to buy the hard drive on top.

Your links led me to a device much sought after in the past that I had forgotten about, sadly discontinued, i.e. "your" External Network Adapter for networking usb devices
The [FONT=Helvetica, Geneva, Arial]Linksys Networking Accessory NSLU2 Network Storage Link NAS for USB 2.0 Disk Drives[/FONT]


http://www.xpcgear.com/lsnslu2.html
These could be had on ebay for around £40+

PS the 500gWestern Digital Nas at Costco seems good value.

seth

As as been said before these are basically drive enclosures:

• Some come with usb/ firewire
• Others have usb/ firewire and ethernet
• Some have usb/ firewire and Ethernet and wifi

If you think about it the circurity in these is very similar to that found in hi end wifi routers:

• CPU
• Memory
• USB Port
• Ethernet

Now most USB ports on Wifi access points are designed for printer sharing. Some of the routers also support normal hard disks connected via USB, these are often exposed as FTP servers.

The cost of rigging something like this up is usually higher because as it is not a popular route: It is not a one box solution, most consumers want something they can plug in and it just works.

Also from a heat power point of view having a single device 1 networked hard disk may use less power than having 2: 1 wireless access point 1 USB hard disk. Also bear in mind that some wireless access points will not have been design to support a 2.5" disk in terms of supplying power for the drive. Having said that most new wireless access points with USB support for external hard disks are built to support 2.5" drives.

Key point is to look at the total cost, and time required to set up the solution.

If you have the time and the skill to reflash the linksys slug, you can add hard disks, VOIP (Asterix) etc and make a unit that would cost £500+ but the boxed offerings like the NAS with HD built in are simple and work well.

Linksys slug home page: http://www.nslu2-linux.org/wiki/Main/HomePage
Programs for the slug: http://www.nslu2-linux.org/wiki/Applications/HomePage

For other wireless units: http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/index.php
Supported hardware here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices

It is worth pointing out the flashing firmware route is only suitable if you are prepared for the risks (void warantee, etc) and time it will take. For most folk the boxed solutions are fine, but if you are on a budget then some of the high end features might be an option using custom firmware.

A middle ground is the network type enclosures mentioned previously. e.g. http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=99252

But look at the cost it is £49 (free delivery) then you need a HD and time to set it up format it etc.. so it cost more than the boxed solution that the OP suggested.