wireless hard drive?

caveman_si · 10-10-2008, 19:41

I want to connect a large external harddrive to a couple of pc's wirelessly. I know a harddrive and long usb cable is an option but its not one I like as the computers that need access to the info that will be on the HD will be spread about the office area

Also Its not my system otherwise, I would just hook a HD up to my wifi router as a NAS and job done.

The details, hard drive must be minimum 1.5tb-2tb and the connection to the pc has to be a usb dongle. The pc is running windows 2000 and the usb dongle has to be plug and play as the pc is admin locked so loading drivers would be problematic.

Im not bothered what set up/kit is used can as long its a 1.5-2tb hd and the pc connector is a wifi style dongle. There is no need to access the internet through the dongles just the hard drive.
So can it be done and can anyone suguest options and kit as I have had a look but its not making much sense??
Cheers Si

devonps · 13-10-2008, 12:55

Using the power of google and the search term wireless harddrive I returned some interesting stuff...! try this: Link

I admit I haven't scanned all of the links but it seems you should find what you're looking for there.

Steve.

Graham M · 13-10-2008, 13:02

I think the plug and play you are looking for will definitely be problematic, especially on Win2k

caveman_si · 13-10-2008, 22:30

Devonps cheers I have already googled wireless hard drives and looked at hard drive/wireless router combos but its all as clear as mud. I know what I want to do and am sure its possible just need to find out if thats the case.

Cheers Graham I was dreading a response like that. I knew working with win2k was going to be difficult at best.

Setting up the hard driver router/ wirehardrive never going to be an issue its just the plug and play wireless dongles on the win2k pcs thats the issue. Guess i'll have to revist the really really really long cable option.

dragon · 13-10-2008, 22:34

Plug and Play wireless on win2k isn't likely to happen.

Graham M · 13-10-2008, 23:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon

Plug and Play wireless on win2k isn't likely to happen.

Let alone without any drivers what so ever.

DocDutch · 14-10-2008, 00:04

here as well Si

with regards to doing this on w2k no way without drivers, cant you ask if it could be logged on as an admin and install the drivers?

also wouldnt it be easier as its an office network why not just as every1 has been saying connect the nas via ethernet.

1: its more reliable
2: its faster then via usb
3: dont know what kind of distance it would be but usb would be strugling after 5 meters.

caveman_si · 14-10-2008, 14:13

Personally I would prefer the NAS on the Ethernet connections, but I have been trying to get that from the IT department for the last 4-5 months. Technically shouldnt be an issues, there are security issues that it poitentially throws up to the network but no one can expand on that. Then there is cost benefit issues, the data being used is only for a small team of people 15-30 people at most would need the data and at any given time I cant see more then 4 people needing access. So as its a very local thing its taking time to even get some one interested.
Also the fact it takes the IT bods forever to do anything and they strip all the usability out of what ever they give us.

I might try borrow someones admin rights and see what I can do.

Cheers

SMHarman · 14-10-2008, 14:26

2Tb is a lot of storage and to get things on and off that over WiFi will be sloooooow.

Why can't your core network infrastructure be upgraded to add 2Tb of storage. Most companies are in planning for 09 cap ex now so you should be geting this into the budget.

Seems to me you are creating two headaches with the simple solution. 2Tb of data that is not being backed up and a WiFi access point into a network that is sufficiently secure that admin rights have been tied down that will not use RADAR or any other form of cycling password authentication. The first could lead to major headaches for your team, the second termination, similar to borrowing and misusing someones admin rights which could lead to termination for the both of you.

Not helping a great deal but I guess I would ask what do you need that takes up 2Tb?

Uncle Peter · 14-10-2008, 16:58

That amount of data on a single hard drive not being backed up is suicide. As SMHarman has pointed out above you should really look at having a properly managed solution implemented. Even if it means expanding any existing SAN infrastructure your company may have or worst case scenario: get an external SAS array attached to one of your existing fileservers.

CHiLL · 15-10-2008, 21:44

http://www.qnap.com/pro_detail_feature.asp?p_id=67

I know someone who has one of these, and it's a pretty good device.

You can buy a HDD (up to 1TB), put it inside, and then connect the device to your wireless router.

The device will then be available wireless. (Although transfers are slower)

Edit; From what I can remember, it can also be accessed from any where in the world if you have an Internet connection, and act as an FTP/Web server.

Also, you can connect another hard drive directly into the device via it's USB ports, and then transfer files from one disc to another at the speeds of USB instead of wireless.