All I want to do is plug my external SSD into the USB port on an AIS supplied router so I can have local cloud service. All I see is how to turn on the Samba Service and FTP, The USB services only shows a USB Printer, no option for connecting to a hard drive. AI tells me Thai AIS likely disables file access through the USB port. I spent $500 for a fancy router years ago which worked, but then it didn't configure rightly and I ended up with an AIS supplied router. It works fine, but I miss access to hard drive storage on a USB drive. Somebody out there who can explain this? Could I prevail on AIS to fix it up or reconnect my old, fancy ASUS router?

This topic will most likely be moved to the appropriate forum.

What you describe is not a "cloud service." It's local network storage. A cloud service is where a company stores your files on their servers.

As you know, many routers have a USB port where you can plug in a HDD / SSD and access it locally, and also remotely. You will have to VPN back to the router, then go into the UI of the router, and there you will see your network storage. From there, you can upload or download to your location.

This is a screen shot of my ZTE supplied by AIS:

9 minutes ago, cusanus said:

This is a screen shot of my ZTE supplied by AIS:

What options are there under the "USB" section?

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

What options are there under the "USB" section?

Like I said, there is only a printer connection option, nothing for storage drives. Unfortunately...

There doesn't appear to be a VPN feature in that router, so even if it accepted network storage, you couldn't access it remotely. You will need the other router.

On 7/5/2026 at 9:07 AM, KhunHeineken said:

There doesn't appear to be a VPN feature in that router, so even if it accepted network storage, you couldn't access it remotely. You will need the other router.

Yep. Not worth the effort of setting up, I think. Too much junk already.

23 hours ago, cusanus said:

Yep. Not worth the effort of setting up, I think. Too much junk already.

You could always get a cheap 1 bay NAS.

Something like this.

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/pdp-i16199564615-s127342456065.html?c=&channelLpJumpArgs=&clickTrackInfo=query%253Asynology%252Bnas%253Bnid%253A16199564615%253Bsrc%253ALazadaMainSrp%253Brn%253Ac4abb088ef6377735e64d0a655295e82%253Bregion%253Ath%253Bsku%253A16199564615_TH%253Bprice%253A5685.42%253Bclient%253Adesktop%253Bsupplier_id%253A101380816016%253Bsession_id%253A%253Bbiz_source%253Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.lazada.co.th%252F%253Bslot%253A23%253Butlog_bucket_id%253A470687%253Basc_category_id%253A7282%253Bitem_id%253A16199564615%253Bsku_id%253A127342456065%253Bshop_id%253A5353820%253BtemplateInfo%253A107882_E%2523-1_A3_C%2523&freeshipping=1&fs_ab=2&fuse_fs=&lang=en&location=South%20Korea&price=5685.42&priceCompare=skuId%3A127342456065%3Bsource%3Alazada-search-voucher%3Bsn%3Ac4abb088ef6377735e64d0a655295e82%3BoriginPrice%3A568542%3BdisplayPrice%3A568542%3BisGray%3Afalse%3BsinglePromotionId%3A440000000000000%3BsingleToolCode%3AshopPromPrice%3BvoucherPricePlugin%3A0%3Btimestamp%3A1783483606134&qSellingPoint=p--nas___b--synology&ratingscore=&request_id=c4abb088ef6377735e64d0a655295e82&review=&sale=0&search=1&source=search&spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.23&stock=1

I tried that as well with my existing router and had issues in setting it up. NAS storage is not really so cheap. I finally tested out some cloud storage providers which are not cheap either, but some of them offer promotions from time to time. And you can also purchase discounted cloud storage at Lazada or Shopee.

14 minutes ago, msbkk said:

I tried that as well with my existing router and had issues in setting it up. NAS storage is not really so cheap. I finally tested out some cloud storage providers which are not cheap either, but some of them offer promotions from time to time. And you can also purchase discounted cloud storage at Lazada or Shopee.

Routers

Do you not have to be somewhat careful about security issues with cloud storage, particularly storage obtained from an unknown provider?

I'm not sure what you consider expensive, but can't you use Google, or maybe Amazon AWS3? I'd rather pay a little more for a well known provider, if need be.

2 hours ago, jas007 said:

Do you not have to be somewhat careful about security issues with cloud storage, particularly storage obtained from an unknown provider?

I'm not sure what you consider expensive, but can't you use Google, or maybe Amazon AWS3? I'd rather pay a little more for a well known provider, if need be.

I am with Microsoft now but bought the official license key at Lazada, the original box was delivered by a well known computer chain store. And the price around 30% less than Microsoft online subscription.

Edited July 8Jul 8 by msbkk

Why don't you buy a large external SSD connect it via USB port to your computer and store your data there? Why let a 3rd party store your data with the chance they may be hacked and then all your private data will be on the dark web for sale? All you are doing y putting your data in the cloud is to let someone else have it on their computer.

Edited July 8Jul 8 by Photoguy21

On 7/4/2026 at 8:04 PM, KhunHeineken said:

You will have to VPN back to the router,

Why would a VPN be needed please?

2 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Why would a VPN be needed please?

Porn?

1 hour ago, MIke B Bad said:

Porn?

Do you not need the VPN on your Browser for that? Albania works best for me.

UK for iPlayer and any banking.

3 hours ago, wil iam not said:

Why would a VPN be needed please?

Because the OP originally talked about cloud storage so KH thought he wanted to access it from anywhere -

On 7/5/2026 at 9:07 AM, KhunHeineken said:

so even if it accepted network storage, you couldn't access it remotely.

4 hours ago, wil iam not said:

Why would a VPN be needed please?

How would the OP access his local network storage, remotely, for uploading and downloading, without a VPN?

You VPN back to your own router from anywhere in the world. You enter the router's UI. From there, navigate to the storage device. (attached SSD) Upload or download files. photos, music, movies etc etc.

4 hours ago, MIke B Bad said:

Porn?

No.

A VPN back to your own router does not offer browsing privacy because your own IP address will be used. It does offer security, for example, accessing your online banking from a cafe. Also good to get around geo-blocking, if the router is based in a country where various websites you need are geo-blocked.

52 minutes ago, topt said:

Because the OP originally talked about cloud storage so KH thought he wanted to access it from anywhere -

Correct.

45 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

How would the OP access his local network storage, remotely, for uploading and downloading, without a VPN?

You VPN back to your own router from anywhere in the world. You enter the router's UI. From there, navigate to the storage device. (attached SSD) Upload or download files. photos, music, movies etc etc.

Ah, the OP said he only wanted local access to his files.

I was with MS for years using One Drive perfectly. But now I am on Linux Mint, I back all my data up to Google Drive via rClone. Works well, but I am looking into Proton Drive as I want to ditch Mr Google as well.

4 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Ah, the OP said he only wanted local access to his files.

If that's all the OP want, like another member suggested, just plug the SSD into your computer when you need to. 😂

6 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

I was with MS for years using One Drive perfectly. But now I am on Linux Mint, I back all my data up to Google Drive via rClone. Works well, but I am looking into Proton Drive as I want to ditch Mr Google as well.

I utilize the "3, 2. 1" principle of back-up. That is, 3 different devices, 2 different locations, 1 in the cloud.

I back up here in Thailand, but also back-up to a NAS that is in my home country, and also have a cloud service subscription.