Question How to use USB NAS if new modem doesn't have USB Port

petrellamd

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May 5, 2017
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Hello all!

We've been using a 2TB disk drive that was formerly attached to the USB Port of a Netgear Nighthawk modem. Comcast has replaced this modem with a modem which does not have a USB Port. When on the Nighthawk, it was drive letter "U", and could readily be added / seen through either Windows or Linux or, believe it or not, our Smart Phones as well.

What are ways that I can re-add this USB Drive? (We've got 500+G of data that we share among both Windows and Linux laptops.)

The following few ideas come to mind:

Replace this modem with one which does, in fact, include a USB drive ($300) … disinclined to go this route;

Re-connect the Nighthawk as an attached Router (just turn off the Wi-Fi on one of the 2 modems) … But how would we find this drive? Under which sub-net is it visible? Etc.

Purchase an Ethernet to USB extender and attach to the new modem via a spare Gigabit Switch we have lying around … Again, how do we find this drive in Windows or Linux?

Leave a slave laptop up all day and night with this drive attached to it, then Share it … Seems like excessive use of available resources ..??

And / or: any other ideas that are more appropriate, that I'm presently unaware of ..??

Thanks, in advance, for any ideas / assistance that anyone can offer!

MDP
 
Of, get a real standalone NAS that is attached to the modem/router via ethernet.

Accessible by any system, Linux, Windows, Apple, Android...and FAR more feature rich.

And I sincerely hope this 2TB drive is not the only repository of this data.
 
I don't suggest plugging in storage devices directly into networking equipment unless you're willing to dig into its interface to make sure that all the security settings are in place. There have been reports where such equipment had terrible defaults that allowed outside users to access the storage device.
 
While not all routers allow you to use the USB port for this when configured in AP mode using factory firmware, all 3rd party firmware does, and the shared drive simply appears under the router's name in Windows Explorer.

So if you get a $5 used router with a USB port, that is known compatible with 3rd party firmware, you can make this work even if it turns out the factory firmware doesn't allow it. Be aware though if you buy a really slow router, the speeds will be really slow since the limitation is the router's CPU and all of these USB transfers are done in software.

If your old Nighthawk is a combo modem/router device you will have far less access to settings, or flashing firmware as the ISP is supposed to push those out.
 
Of, get a real standalone NAS that is attached to the modem/router via ethernet.

Accessible by any system, Linux, Windows, Apple, Android...and FAR more feature rich.

And I sincerely hope this 2TB drive is not the only repository of this data.
Thanks, very much, for this info … And, yes, we do have backups (primarily iDrive, but we also have others, which sync with each other) 😉
 
While not all routers allow you to use the USB port for this when configured in AP mode using factory firmware, all 3rd party firmware does, and the shared drive simply appears under the router's name in Windows Explorer.

So if you get a $5 used router with a USB port, that is known compatible with 3rd party firmware, you can make this work even if it turns out the factory firmware doesn't allow it. Be aware though if you buy a really slow router, the speeds will be really slow since the limitation is the router's CPU and all of these USB transfers are done in software.

If your old Nighthawk is a combo modem/router device you will have far less access to settings, or flashing firmware as the ISP is supposed to push those out.
Thanks, very much, for this info! I have been flashing the firmware on this modem / router, but am at least one level down at this point. And, I must admit that I am concerned about throughput speeds as well. MDP
 
I don't suggest plugging in storage devices directly into networking equipment unless you're willing to dig into its interface to make sure that all the security settings are in place. There have been reports where such equipment had terrible defaults that allowed outside users to access the storage device.
Thank you, very much, for this warning … That is definitely a concern for me; and I don't want to (mistakenly) be complacent and think I'm safe simply because I'm on this side of the Firewall … MDP
 
Thanks, very much, for this info … And, yes, we do have backups (primarily iDrive, but we also have others, which sync with each other) 😉
I think that I need more info on a dedicated NAS: Searches only return lists of RAID devices that have bays into which one places a drive … Where are the instructions for setting up access to the NAS ..? MDP
 
I think that I need more info on a dedicated NAS: Searches only return lists of RAID devices that have bays into which one places a drive … Where are the instructions for setting up access to the NAS ..? MDP
QNAP and Synology are two of the top names in dedicated NAS boxes.
I have a QNAP TS-453A, 6 years old now. Running 24/7, zero issues.

Here is are 2...a 2 bay and 4 bay:

Very robust, feature rich, stable.
 
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