I have a wireless router with Ethernet ports on the back.

Could I plug an internal hard drive into these and share the data on that drive with the computers that are connecting to the router?

Thanks.

What kind of cable did you have in mind to accomplish that?

You can get Network Attached Storage (NAS) boxes that does exactly what you are looking for: connects to your network via LAN (or USB).

You can also get wireless routers which have USB interfaces for sharing harddrives, printers, webcams etc. on your network.

As the router only has ethernet ports I guess that is what cable I would use.

So does a NAS has an ethernet port on it too?

Yes NAS boxes have ethernet ports, along with USB ports.

I asked about which cable you had in mind because I don't see how it's possible to connect an internal harddrive to an ethernet port? An internal harddrive needs a SATA or IDE cable, and converting one of those formats into ethernet I've never heard about. Might be possible tho, I just haven't heard about it.

Sorry my mistake. I meant external. Doh! I guess an external drive with an ethernet port is more expensive than a usb one.

Also will the transferring of data interrupt the internet connection considering they are sharing the same router/modem?

No it should not in any way effect the internet connection, the router can handle much faster speeds than these in play here.

You can get external hard drives with ethernet ports at quite decent prices, for example here

Thanks for you help.

many single hard drive enclosures are around with ethernet ports so they can be used as a NAS

also many routers are coming out wiith 1 or 2 USB ports that can be used for a USB external hard drive or to share a USB printer

You can also get Network Printers to connect to the Router and be shared.

Very common in office networks.

That's amazing, never heard of it before.

Could you use one of these as a simple backup HD? (Can you write to the drive as well?)

Wait a sec, how much do these things cost?

Wait a sec, how much do these things cost?

I got a western digital external harddisk world book i think its called of 1tb i plugged it into my router it works great. The price was around 8000bt i believe

You can get 1 TB external disks today for much less. In the link posted earlier, the 1 TB disk costs 5160 THB, but that's with LAN interface as well. If you just want a plain USB external harddisk, you can get a 1 TB for just below 4000 THB.

You can get 1 TB external disks today for much less. In the link posted earlier, the 1 TB disk costs 5160 THB, but that's with LAN interface as well. If you just want a plain USB external harddisk, you can get a 1 TB for just below 4000 THB.

I rather go for western digital then for some buffalo brand that is not as proven as western digital. That is just my opinion anyway.

Buffalo might not be as proven as WD, however I would pick Buffalo over WD any day regardless of the price. Their products are just so good quality, I have the Quad Link Station NAS box, one external DVD writer for my netbook, one ADSL wireless router, two 2.5" external disks and one drivestation external hard drive - all Buffalo, and I must say that I could not be more happy with that brand. I tried a WD elements portable 2.5" drive, after 1 week I dropped it about 30 centimeters on to the table, and that was the end of this disk - not impressive.

But each his own taste as you say, like with everything else

Buffalo Technology equipment is pretty well regarded in geek circles - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Technology

quite a few bits of their equipment can be modded with aftermarket firmware to make them very versatile devices.

Could you use one of these as a simple backup HD? (Can you write to the drive as well?)

Great stuff, can anyone answer the above?

Thanks!

Could you use one of these as a simple backup HD? (Can you write to the drive as well?)

Great stuff, can anyone answer the above?

Thanks!

Yes you can do the same things basically as you can with a regular USB external drive.

Thanks, interesting stuff!

Buffalo might not be as proven as WD, however I would pick Buffalo over WD any day regardless of the price. Their products are just so good quality, I have the Quad Link Station NAS box, one external DVD writer for my netbook, one ADSL wireless router, two 2.5" external disks and one drivestation external hard drive - all Buffalo, and I must say that I could not be more happy with that brand. I tried a WD elements portable 2.5" drive, after 1 week I dropped it about 30 centimeters on to the table, and that was the end of this disk - not impressive.

But each his own taste as you say, like with everything else

I agree with you there can't argue about taste.

I just like WD and saw buffalo as a inferior brand who knows i might use it once and change my mind. I use the harddisk for business too so that is why i went for something i knew.

I once bought some chinese NAS harddisk and i lost loads of data ever since that problem i like to pay a bit more for a name. (not putting buffalo at the same height as the chinese crap i bought)

Could you do the same with thing with USB speakers (if such a thing exists)?

Could you do the same with thing with USB speakers (if such a thing exists)?

yes you can , but you need to use aftermarket firmwares like openwrt - USB webcams can also be used

Do you reckon a USB to Ethernet adaptor would allow me to attached a USB hard drive to my router and use as a network drive?

Do you reckon a USB to Ethernet adaptor would allow me to attached a USB hard drive to my router and use as a network drive?

I'm pretty sure a standard USB external hard drive will not appear as a network drive if attached like you describe.

Thats a shame. Will look for a hard drive enclosure with an ethernet port on then. Cheers.