Network Drive
 

After Christmas in the sales i wanna create a network drive that all 3 of us can access and save to at home at once.

What would be the best way of doing this?
Would getting a Wireless NAS drive do the job?

Also would more than one user be able to access the same file on the drive at the same time?

Thanks.

Re: Network Drive
 

I just connected a NAS via ethernet to my hub and my TV mobile phones etc can all access it,

Re: Network Drive
 

Thats exactly what im looking for.

The reason im not thinking cloud access is because i dont want the time od having to download and then reupload the files if edited.

Re: Network Drive
 

Can anyone suggest a network drive that works the way i want and is easy to setup?

Re: Network Drive
 

I have the WD My Book 2TB, it connects to my router, and can be accessed both internally & externally.

Re: Network Drive
 

You should be able to connect a USB drive to your ASUS router and share this on the LAN via the built-in (SMB) networking. Here's a video that covers this:

Set Up USB Storage on an Asus Router

This approach does allow you to access the same drive content from the internet i.e. when you are away from home if you are ok with this security-wise.

The concurrent file access is trickier: read access is no problem but cordinating write access to the same file is tricky when you are using direct filesystem access.

This approach does have the added benefits of making any media content available to streaming DNLA and/or iTunes clients if you need this.

Re: Network Drive
 

I have a Synology DS215, it takes two disk drives so you can connect up in RAID format for security. It plugs into your hub and is easy to set up. It comes with loads of free apps, eg Cloud Station which backs up your files as you change them, you can access it remotely if you wish too.

Re: Network Drive
 

Would i be able to use an external 1TB drive?

Re: Network Drive
 

Should be fine. Came across this on google:

Plug-n-Share Disks Compatibility List

Re: Network Drive
 

Ta i will give it a try later sometime.

Re: Network Drive
 

I think a network drive is a better option.

I followed that video and setup the drive and network and i have tried two drives and get really bad read\write speeds.

It starts off around 1.1mb/s and drops to around 34k where it hangs and then jumps back up and falls and hangs, then jumps again. It took me almost 40mins to download 462mb from the USB drive to my PC.

Re: Network Drive
 

Hi Alan, these speeds do seem low. Here's a TBB review of the N66u and the speeds they got with a USB HDD here:

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/hardwa...6u.html#backup

To be fair, the router will always be a poor substiute for a dedicated NAS. The HP MicroServer N40L I have running Open Media Vault will deliver 800+Mbps over AFP/SMB network shares but this is much more costly to setup and maintain relative to what you have with the router.

Re: Network Drive
 

Re: Network Drive
 

http://www.trustedreviews.com/synology-ds215j-review

This is £129 from Amazon, you use your own disk drives, I have two 1Tb drives in RAID format for security. The backup software, cloud station backs up each file as you save it.

The Buffalo NAS backup software does a complete back up so you would need additional software if you want to back up as you go

Re: Network Drive
 

I bit the bullet and got the synology ds615j with a 3TB WD Red NAS drive.

It was a bit of a pain in the rear after i setup it wouldnt accept my user or password which i looked at the forums and its a common issue. I had to do the reset and login using the standard admin and then change all my details manually.

Re: Network Drive
 

What sort of transfer speeds should i be getting on this?

Atm im getting an average of 87-91mb/s.

Re: Network Drive
 

Is that wired?

It sounds right for a 100MB connection.

Re: Network Drive
 

its wired yes on a 1GB connection.

Re: Network Drive
 

What's the spec of the DS615? I can't find it anywhere

Re: Network Drive
 

Re: Network Drive
 

That's great Alan, you put 615 in your post!

If you need any help, pm me, it's the same as I have.

Re: Network Drive
 

Sorry i have 615 on the brain for some reason and thanks for your help :)

Re: Network Drive
 

90MB/sec is fine

90Mb/sec is poor

90mb/sec isn't even possible.

Re: Network Drive
 

Good choice to go for a proper NAS. If I had got here in time I would have recommended Buffalo instead of Synology but at least you have gone in the right direction. I have got a 2x3tb Linkstation which can be setup with various raid options and can be accessed from anywhere on the network.

Re: Network Drive
 

Thats what i like about this NAS. I can access it from any of my 2 Pcs and my laptop when its connected wirelessly.

Re: Network Drive
 

General, I've had Buffalo and the Synergy and have to say I much prefer the Synology, much easier to use and a great range of add ons like Cloud Station for back up and Surveillance Station for my security cameras (if only they worked wirelessly with that bit of kit we are currently testing shhhh)

Re: Network Drive
 

Can you put a Plex media server on the DS215j?

Re: Network Drive
 

Was the benefit of having your plex server on your NAS and not your PC, I had it set up to read from the NAS and it worked perfect

Re: Network Drive
 

I don't want to have to have my PC on basically so it is a huge benefit to have it on a NAS along with the rest of the movies where i could access it from other rooms with the right kit.

I currently use the very basic media server on my Xbox One and wanted to try it via the Plex app on there.

Although you do make a very good point as the PC is usually on when i want to watch a movie so i may try it as long as it can see my NAS where the files are stored.

I was originally asking this question as my Mybook World has started to go pear shaped so i may buy another NAS to replace it.

Re: Network Drive
 

When I did have my NAS all I did was map the drive and when plex asked where to look for media I pointed it to my NAS and was fine.

Re: Network Drive
 

All sorted now i have the Plex server on the PC streaming media off my NAS to the Xbox One Plex app, it sure looks alot better than the built in media player.