Question router access point vs nas

[DrCyd]

So if you noticed, I have been messing around with second router off and on for several months, off and on means I get irritated and set it aside for a week or so. I have a linksys router and cannot break into the system to change the ip or dhcp. So now, for the last week, now I have been looking at and considering a NAS. Today, I looked that the cable/wiring configuration as I was close to buying a NAS (used). My techy abilities have waned over the years since the 80's when I could understand and build a computer. Suffice to say, this router/ap/nas is new territory for me. Anyway, the question has come up "Why is a NAS box better than a access point 2nd router with an external hard drive.... or is it? (Why do I need either? I like to write but I use two computers and its irritating to have to run from one to the other every time I write a line or two, among other issues.) Thoughts.

 

[jeremyj_83]

have a linksys router and cannot break into the system to change the ip or dhcp.

Reset to factory default settings

To manually reset your router, press and hold the Reset button for about 10 seconds while the device is powered ON, then release it. Resetting the router will erase all configurations made on it.

https://www.linksys.com/gb/support-article/?articleNum=48343

 

[kanewolf]

Why is a NAS box better than a access point 2nd router with an external hard drive.... or is it?

Because the CPU in a router with an external hard drive is too weak to provide full bandwidth. A purpose built NAS, either homemade or commercial has more RAM bandwidth, more disk I/O bandwidth and a more powerful CPU than a router. Also people typically want to use a Windows format on the external drive, so that they can connect it directly to a PC "just in case". That hurts performance also, because routers run a Linux based OS. The translation from a Windows file system to a Linux OS hurts performance.

 

[DrCyd]

Reset to factory default settings

To manually reset your router, press and hold the Reset button for about 10 seconds while the device is powered ON, then release it. Resetting the router will erase all configurations made on it.

https://www.linksys.com/gb/support-article/?articleNum=48343

Thanks. I am thinking there is a bug in this router as I have reset it "dozens" of times. Sometimes I can get to the sign in but usually I get an error message to check the cables and such and try again. Further, and mainly, I can't get past the sign in. "Admin" doesn't work and my Linksys sign in info doesn't work. Linksys is no help in this area. So the "low cost" avenue using a router has become a time chaser and a little extra spent on a NAS seems, at this point, to be the way to go for me and my limited knowledge. Thanks again.

 

[DrCyd]

Because the CPU in a router with an external hard drive is too weak to provide full bandwidth. A purpose built NAS, either homemade or commercial has more RAM bandwidth, more disk I/O bandwidth and a more powerful CPU than a router. Also people typically want to use a Windows format on the external drive, so that they can connect it directly to a PC "just in case". That hurts performance also, because routers run a Linux based OS. The translation from a Windows file system to a Linux OS hurts performance.

Wow, the lights go on, flickering that is. (I am going to make a long answer for both input and others that are in the same boat.) On the one hand, speed is not that important in the transfer, but the storage and compatibility thing is important. I am a WordPerfect user, have been since 5 1/4 disk days. But even that has its issues. In the years, some "transferred and saved" files have gone from "wpd" extentions to "txt" extentions. Quite sure I lose some stuff over time as the format was "not recognizable" to the new WP formats or maybe upgraded OS's. I use a "click free" back up which has it own extentions. (Great little product, sorry to see its demise.) My backup, backups are CD's. Being retired, I write. I dabble on a laptop while watching TV and do the main stuff on a pc. And here is that problem. Out side of running back and forth with a thumb drive, there is no real dependable way to centralize. The MS cloud messed with my stuff. Google cloud is a beast, and syncing is "not really." Home networking does a passable job when both computers are on, but they are not all the time. My WOW modem has a usb port but it is for show. I does not and was not designed to work, just "arm candy." So that left ethernet ports and an access point set up. NAS can be expensive though cabling it doesn't seem to be any more complicated. But in reading what you say, it seems the way to go. Since it will be running all the time, I am looking at sata SSD rather spinner HD. Not exactly sure what the wattage draw will be until I find my choice. A one or two bay box should suffice. Photos and videos are all saved on CDs and text doesn't take up a lot of room so a 1 TB SSD with maybe another of the same in the other in the box for back up (redundancy is a necessity in computers) seems to be the way to go for me. I am going to reread your reply again and try to understand it all, but I do see the reasons as you have laid out so well. Thanks again for your input and time. If you have any further comments on NAS and any links on setting it up, I would appreciate it.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Why is a NAS box better than a access point 2nd router with an external hard drive.... or is it?

What? Those devices serve completely different purposes.

The same way you could ask - why a hammer is better tool than a saw?
It's not better. You do completely different work using them.

I like to write but I use two computers and its irritating to have to run from one to the other every time I write a line or two, among other issues.

What does writing have to do with any of this?
Why do you need to run to different computers for writing?

 

[USAFRet]

Since it will be running all the time, I am looking at sata SSD rather spinner HD. Not exactly sure what the wattage draw will be until I find my choice.

That is not really a major concern.

My 7 year old 4 bay QNAP TS-453a (4x spinning HDD) consumes 32.3 watts in operation, 18.8 watts when the HDDs go into standby.

With my electric rate at $0.12/kWh, that is approx $35 a year, running 24/7.

Swapping in SATA SSDs would lessen that, but not by a lot. And not nearly enough to compensate for the increased drive cost.

 

[hotaru.hino]

Since it will be running all the time, I am looking at sata SSD rather spinner HD. Not exactly sure what the wattage draw will be until I find my choice. A one or two bay box should suffice.

To add to the above reported figure, my Synology DS220+ is rated to run at 5W sitting there with the drives hibernating, 15W otherwise.

And I don't recommend SATA SSDs unless you have money to burn. A cursory glance on PC Parts Picker tells me they've basically topped out at 4TB for $300, but some up to 16TB exists if you don't mind spending the same amount for an entirely new high-end computer.