[SOLVED] Need to convert Ethernet Port to Powered USB Port?

[Kira_Kira]

I want to share an external hard drive between two computers at home. I read that one option (the easiest and cheapest one) would be to connect the external hard drive to my modem. My modem does not have PoE ports. What kind of adapters should I get to make the most efficient connection?

My initial thought was one Ethernet cable to plug into the modem and to an Ethernet power injector adapter. Then another Ethernet cable from that to an Ethernet to USB adapter, but I am having a hard time finding that kind of adapter because I'd need Ethernet male to USB female, not just the usual Ethernet to USB. Does that kind of adapter even exists?

Does anyone have any advice? Is it even possible?

 

[bill001g]

It is not a adapter problem it is a communication issue.

Ethernet and usb use very different method of transferring data. It is kinda like translating between say english and french but it is done both at the electrical level as well as the logically how the data is formatted. Just providing power to end device would actually be a somewhat easier challenge.

You are not going to get this done with some fancy cable it would almost need some kind of small computer like device.

It might be cheapest to buy a small NAS enclosure and move the hard drives. Maybe you could find a inexpensive router that support external USB hard drives and use it purely as a NAS.

 

[SamirD]

You typically can connect the drive to your router, depending on the router model number. You can also connect it to a computer and share it from there.

 

[USAFRet]

I want to share an external hard drive between two computers at home.

You want to share the 'data', not 'the drive'.

How is simply sharing folder(s) on this external not an option?

 

[Kira_Kira]

You want to share the 'data', not 'the drive'.

How is simply sharing folder(s) on this external not an option?

I don't want to have to go turn on the computer with the shared drive every time I need to use it on a different computer .

 

[SamirD]

I don't want to have to go turn on the computer with the shared drive every time I need to use it on a different computer .

Okay so then the router would work depending on the router. Post your router make and model and we will tell you how.

 

[USAFRet]

I don't want to have to go turn on the computer with the shared drive every time I need to use it on a different computer .

Some device needs a little bit of a brain to be able to share this drive and its data.

Either a drive in an external enclosure(with its own power), and connected to a router with a relevant port and functionality. Probably USB.
Or a small NAS (Network Attached Storage).

 

[Kira_Kira]

Okay so then the router would work depending on the router. Post your router make and model and we will tell you how.

Thank you. My modem/router is CGM4141COX . Really hoping I can do it that way, since I believe a NAS device would be a lot more expensive, right?

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you. My modem/router is CGM4141COX . Really hoping I can do it that way, since I believe a NAS device would be a lot more expensive, right?

Depends on what you consider "expensive".

$100 + your drive. Accessible from any and all systems in the house.
https://www.amazon.com/Synology-DS120j-DiskStation-Diskless-512MB/dp/B07ZKSLVT5

2 bay for $170
https://www.amazon.com/Synology-DiskStation-DS220j-Diskless-2-bay/dp/B0855LMP81


NOTE: you'd have to completely reformat the drive, so any data needs to be elsewhere first. Then, copy it back.

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you. My modem/router is CGM4141COX

That doesn't appear to have a port for a shareable drive.
https://www.cox.com/residential/support/technicolor-cgm4141.html

 

[Kira_Kira]

That doesn't appear to have a port for a shareable drive.
https://www.cox.com/residential/support/technicolor-cgm4141.html

Right, I was replying to SamirD. Sounds like he believes I can achieve what I want with a router. I'm just not sure if any router with a USB port will work with my modem.

 

[Kira_Kira]

I found this, which is very affordable and has an USB 3.0 port. Does anyone know if it will work for me?

Cudy AC1200 Gigabit WiFi Router