Use usb drives on a home network?

[Pghpooh]

I have a small home network set up.
Coming into the house is Verizon FIOS.
The isp is connected to a router/modem supplied by Verizon.
From there I run cat 6 to the second floor where I am using a TrendNet switch connected to a second pc, printer, and Buffalo wifi router that gives me coverage on dead spots i=on the second floor.

On the desktop I have connected a Seagate usb external drive.

I saw this advertised http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822186214&cm_re=iomega_wifi-_-22-186-214-_-Product.

This unit looks like it will connect up to 4 external usb drives, etc.

Are there other units like this out there? I have I have 5 external drives that I switch around and would love to use some kind of hub, or switch that I can connect to my network and plug the drives in and "Forget" about them. I don't need the wireless featuure but if it included then ok. I would just use the wired option.

 

[Narumi]

Do any of those routers have USB ports on them like the buffalo? If they do you could use that to share the drives on the network and if the router has only one USB I'm sure you could use a hub to connect them. If not does a computer stay on all the time? you could plug all the drives into the computer and share the drives from there as well.

I'm a little skeptical about these new USB to Network devices because the reviews have been somewhat flaky. The Seagate one has been having issues with ports dieing and at the same time the reviews on newegg are not that great for the device you posted.

If you have spare parts or an old computer lying around you could re-purpose it to be a NAS too.

 

[ViviTheMage]

My Dlink DIR-655 let's you plug in 1 USB device to share on the network, worked well when I tested it.