Second External USB Drive on wi-fi network

[vcarpio2]

My router, Asus rt-n66u, has two USB ports. I already have a 3TB hard drive on one and a printer on the other. If I wanted a second external HD on my network available at all times, what's the simplest way to do it? Would a second router with its own USB port connected to my ASUS rt-n66u work? If it would work, any recommendations on the cheapest router? Thanks a lot.

 

[XLer8or]

A NAS similar to this hooked up to a gigabit port on your router:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822165483

It'll need 1 or 2 SATA drives though instead of External like USB etc.

Hope this helps

 

[vcarpio2]

Yes, this helps. Thank you.

 

[vcarpio2]

Hi. I just want to update this thread with the solution I found. I simply bought and connected a 4-port USB hub on the Asus RT-N66U router. Then on the hub I connected a printer and 2 external drives. I was surprised I can access all three -- printer and 2 external drives -- from any PC or Mac on my home network. On the admin screen at http://192.168.1.1, the USB port shows as a dropdown with all three devices in it. I hope this helps anyone who had my question, as I had been searching online for some time now but no one seems to know if multiple drives can be connected via USB hub to the Asus RT-N66U.

 

[JackMDS]

It good to know that it can be done.

I hope that you are using a USB Hub with its own PSU to avoid overload of the Router's circuits.

 

[vcarpio2]

Hi, Jack -- Thank you.

I actually did get a good USB 3.0 hub with its own power supply (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._0_4_port.html).

But I was thinking of replacing it with a cheaper, unpowered one since the external drives are already powered (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...B_2_0_Hub.html) and the router does not have USB 3.0 -- only USB 2.0. (I read online that 5G routers suffer interference with USB 3.0 circuitry so it's not advisable to buy those, but not sure if that's still the case. Anyway...)

If the drives are already powered, would the USB hub still overload the router's circuits?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Fardringle]

Even self powered drives still draw some power from the USB port, so yes, a powered hub would be the better choice.

 

[vcarpio2]

Thank you, Fardringle. Time to go shopping.

 

[fastman]

(I read online that 5G routers suffer interference with USB 3.0 circuitry so it's not advisable to buy those, but not sure if that's still the case. Anyway...)

If the drives are already powered, would the USB hub still overload the router's circuits?

I'm looking for a new external HD too. Would a 3.0 USB Hub correct the interference that you spoke of?

 

[vcarpio2]

Hi, fastman. If I understand what I read online correctly, interference only happens when the USB 3.0 feature is built-in to the router. My Asus RT-N66U only has USB 2.0 built-in -- not USB 3.0. So my buying a faster and more expensive USB 3.0 hub is, um, unnecessary. Because it is connected to the slower USB 2.0 socket of my router. That's why I'll be shopping for a cheaper, powered USB 2.0 hub for my router. I'll then use my existing USB 3.0 hub for my other USB 3.0 devices connected to my Mac Mini.

 

[vcarpio2]

This pcmag.com article talks about the interference:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2423604,00.asp

Basically, you will gain speed in your USB 3.0 devices while sacrificing your router's wireless performance.

 

[azazel1024]

This pcmag.com article talks about the interference:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2423604,00.asp

Basically, you will gain speed in your USB 3.0 devices while sacrificing your router's wireless performance.

Only if it is designed poorly. Properly shielded USB3 ports on routers produce very little interference, and cabling doesn't produce much either. Basically keep from running the cables near the antennas and buy a model with a well shielded port and it isn't much of an issue.