@Brian, brilliant! And here I was connecting a single external device to the USB port of my router! LOL! The beauty is that you come up with simple, no-brainer solutions, that get people like me thing, "Heck, why didnt I figure that out myself!" Thanks!
One important piece of advice is if the file manager can't find your drives in TP-Share you'll have to check to see if Windows update turned off your SMB or disabled some of them. Use ( Turn Windows Features On or Off) typed in the search box. Windows update will do this on all of my network PC's 50% of the time. My best success with sharing 4 external HDD is with TP-Link routers and a powered 4 port USB hub and the external HDD's are all powered. I use a TP-Link AX-6000 and 4, 8TB Seagate Backup Plus Hub and Sabrent powered hub. Cisco and Netgear have always been a big pain. None since I switched to TP-Link. Brian at 10:45 in the video you said NAS. Did you mean SAN or could it be DAS ? Over all nice video. 👍👍
Great idea. it really eliminates the hassle of big and chunky device like NAS. For me to do this, I will have to change my Router first because I have tp-link Archer C which does not have the usb. Anyway, I will get it done, because I do not trust the system as systems tends to crash erasing some or all data, so its better to have a backup copy of the data.
I've been needing a video of this for awhile now; this is perfect!!! Thank you mate for this information. I think I can finally now resolve sharing problems in my home network, which will be great. :) Cheers mate, from central Kansas USA. Be well, stay safe and Gob bless. Rev. D.
This is a good reminder video of what you can do with a router. I thought about doing this before but forgot. Adding a hub is also a great idea. I have so many old drive just sitting around. If there is a way to add more apps or functionality to the router, it will be great to learn. would like to turn any router into a NAS.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is the type of setup I want to have for my current PCs. Yes, I want to see more videos like this in the future. In fact, I have a video topic request. I currently have an external 4TB WD MyBook HDD installed on my primary PC. What would be the process to move this HDD to the router for use as a NAS?
Excellent video but I do have a question. Is it possible to connect an external drive to a network and leave it on and accessible all the time? Are there any problems with doing something like that?
Thanks for this Brian What I have trouble with is trying to get the USB port working on a slave router that I use to extend my network (it happens to be in a place where there is more space to connect additional external hard drives).
is there a video where you show us to use our devices to use this as a cloud storage?! If not, its a interesting video to make, isn't it? I'm thinking we might need to install something to sync the files from smartphone to NAS. Anyways Awesome video!! Keep it up❤
I never even thought about using a USB hub in a router port before Brian! Handy if you don't own a NAS. I suppose you could also access them through Kodi or other media player types on your TV. The only thing you'd really need to be careful of though is not to leave any of the mechanical drives running 24/7 as you'll shorten their lifespan. That being said, you'll probably still get a couple of years out of one connecting it that way.
This is a great thing to do with your internal WiFi/ethernet/router/firewall. This is a lot more risky to do with your edge device, i.e. your DSL or cable modem (which may offer its own WiFi Ethernet etc.).
In my experience, this works great for file sharing, but full backups take so much longer (or will fail) this way than when the drive is plugged directly into the computer's USB port.
Turns out the USB port on my router is for a printer; can't see how to access anything else via the port. But 10 years ago I had a router which DID allow devices to connect; I put a Lacie drive + power supply on it and it was OK - sort of. File access was VERY slow; think less than USB-1. Likely not the case nowadays tho... I hope!
I assume you don't trust every bit of new kit you get as not hardware hacked - drives, hubs etc - even if it's from a big name? Can you do a vid on the steps you take to make sure as best you can that new routers, SSDs, USB cables, flash drives etc you connect up to your system & network are "safe"?
![Top 5 BEST External Hard Drives In [2024]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Viqib4o7bvg/mqdefault.jpg)
@Brian, brilliant!
And here I was connecting a single external device to the USB port of my router! LOL!
The beauty is that you come up with simple, no-brainer solutions, that get people like me thing, "Heck, why didnt I figure that out myself!"
Thanks!
Fantastic!
I do that for decades and this video is still handy.
Thanks
One important piece of advice is if the file manager can't find your drives in TP-Share you'll have to check to see if Windows update turned off your SMB or disabled some of them.
Use ( Turn Windows Features On or Off) typed in the search box. Windows update will do this on all of my network PC's 50% of the time.
My best success with sharing 4 external HDD is with TP-Link routers and a powered 4 port USB hub and the external HDD's are all powered.
I use a TP-Link AX-6000 and 4, 8TB Seagate Backup Plus Hub and Sabrent powered hub.
Cisco and Netgear have always been a big pain. None since I switched to TP-Link.
Brian at 10:45 in the video you said NAS. Did you mean SAN or could it be DAS ? Over all nice video. 👍👍
Great idea. it really eliminates the hassle of big and chunky device like NAS. For me to do this, I will have to change my Router first because I have tp-link Archer C which does not have the usb. Anyway, I will get it done, because I do not trust the system as systems tends to crash erasing some or all data, so its better to have a backup copy of the data.
Give it a go, works great
I've just changed BB supplier, and for the 1st time have a router with USB ports. I can't wait to try this out!
Give it a go
I've been needing a video of this for awhile now; this is perfect!!! Thank you mate for this information. I think I can finally now resolve sharing problems in my home network, which will be great. :) Cheers mate, from central Kansas USA. Be well, stay safe and Gob bless. Rev. D.
Thanx for the info. A cheap and easy NAS.
This is a good reminder video of what you can do with a router. I thought about doing this before but forgot. Adding a hub is also a great idea. I have so many old drive just sitting around. If there is a way to add more apps or functionality to the router, it will be great to learn. would like to turn any router into a NAS.
Glad it was helpful!
Ha ha. I was about to comment until I saw this from you.
This first two sentences almost mirror my initial response.
As you say, "a good reminder".😉👍
@@ericsbuell Great minds think alike.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is the type of setup I want to have for my current PCs. Yes, I want to see more videos like this in the future. In fact, I have a video topic request.
I currently have an external 4TB WD MyBook HDD installed on my primary PC. What would be the process to move this HDD to the router for use as a NAS?
As long as its got power, should work
thank you, is there not a way to use the ethernet ports I have 4 of those but no usb port on my router.
Excellent video but I do have a question. Is it possible to connect an external drive to a network and leave it on and accessible all the time? Are there any problems with doing something like that?
Thanks for this Brian
What I have trouble with is trying to get the USB port working on a slave router that I use to extend my network (it happens to be in a place where there is more space to connect additional external hard drives).
is there a video where you show us to use our devices to use this as a cloud storage?! If not, its a interesting video to make, isn't it?
I'm thinking we might need to install something to sync the files from smartphone to NAS.
Anyways Awesome video!! Keep it up❤
Too bad he didn't show the speed. Access speed via network is very important for a drive to be effective.
Works just fine, you can try that yourself
I never even thought about using a USB hub in a router port before Brian! Handy if you don't own a NAS. I suppose you could also access them through Kodi or other media player types on your TV.
The only thing you'd really need to be careful of though is not to leave any of the mechanical drives running 24/7 as you'll shorten their lifespan. That being said, you'll probably still get a couple of years out of one connecting it that way.
All you have to do is use your HDD app and put them to sleep.
How do I access these drives from outside my home...
This is a great thing to do with your internal WiFi/ethernet/router/firewall. This is a lot more risky to do with your edge device, i.e. your DSL or cable modem (which may offer its own WiFi Ethernet etc.).
Great stuff really informative more please
In my experience, this works great for file sharing, but full backups take so much longer (or will fail) this way than when the drive is plugged directly into the computer's USB port.
Its OK for people who need simple network sharing.
How do u gain access on a iPhone
Thanks for sharing your video can we share and play video on our smart device like TV or Amazon fire TV box? 😊
can you help please. my router is a virgin hub3. it has no usb port. is ther a way i can conect to it throught ethernet with a usb HDD
Quite simple for people who dont want to use a NAS device :)
Yeah, works a treat
Turns out the USB port on my router is for a printer; can't see how to access anything else via the port. But 10 years ago I had a router which DID allow devices to connect; I put a Lacie drive + power supply on it and it was OK - sort of. File access was VERY slow; think less than USB-1. Likely not the case nowadays tho... I hope!
ROOT-ER ! Like we say garage in the UK you say Carage I do this with my firewall IPS updates
Thanks. Food for thought 🤔
Any time!
Thanks chief.
On it!
Hi Brian. Very useful video. Would this work by plugging a ssd hdd dock into the router
You mean what they call toaster dock?
Yes
I assume you don't trust every bit of new kit you get as not hardware hacked - drives, hubs etc - even if it's from a big name? Can you do a vid on the steps you take to make sure as best you can that new routers, SSDs, USB cables, flash drives etc you connect up to your system & network are "safe"?
See what I can do
You pronounced your channel “Brite Tec “ and all this time I thought you were a “Brit Tec” 🤦♂️
Bri Tec = Brian and Tech without the h
You should mention that in the UK you use diiffenet fused plug and run on 240 volts
But Brian, I don't like to share.🤣👍
Why not?
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
use a simple usb flash drive
Can do
It looks like a VPN
Been there done that, why is this even being discussed, old news, everybody knows this?
Not everyone
the words USB & Router would have helped in title ... but then again you wanted me to click 😝 ... just to find out it something I already know.
Nothing wrong with the title
it would be nice if someone who is not a Joe Biden imitator makes one of these videos.
That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Why not just Express Mail your damn computer to China...
Troll
you must be new
@@AquaLady153 Yes a new Troll.
Nice Troll