Hard drive/ Router remote access?

[jacobbones]

So I am buying either a r7000 or asus ac68.

Plan on attaching a portable usb hard drive to easily share between all my network.

Just curious though if the hard drive can be accessed outside of the network. Like say I wanted to copy and paste files to it from my phone or let a friend copy a video file from it. Not stream video just move files.

 

[rhysiam]

For that you need a VPN. I suspect most routers support it, though you'd need to check. It takes a bit of set up. Also most cheaper Internet Plans will only give you a dynamic IP address which will change from time to time. In most cases you will need the up-to-date IP address to be able to initiate a VPN to your router. So if/when it changes you'll need to make note of the new IP address before you can connect again. ISPs will offer "fixed IP address" services, but they usually cost more.

There are other remote software solutions you can use if you're prepared to leave a computer running on your network.

 

[corroded]

its cheaper to just get one of the WD setups, they are already ready for WAN side access.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236620

 

[rhysiam]

its cheaper to just get one of the WD setups, they are already ready for WAN side access.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236620

Yeah that's a good call. I'll second that. Will achieve what OP wants in a much more straightforward way.

 

[jsmithepa]

HD attached to router=slow, may not work with NTFS, other issues. Seems like easy on the front end, headache on the rear end.

 

[corroded]

or you could have some fun and try FreeNAS... I have 2 in my house. Just need an old system, a couple drives and you are off!

 

[jacobbones]

So played around a bit. With the r7000 has something called readycloud so I just plugged a 64gb usb drive into router and made a login pretty much have network storage. Has an app on my phone and friend was able to get a video file off it. So works for me and didn't cost me anymore money