Can a simple USB to ethernet adapter allow my usb hard drive to be networked on my LAN?

December 29th, 2008 | by admin |

I am trying to put my external usb hard drive up on my LAN. I know I can buy a new usb/ethernet hard drive enclosure for 70$, but would a simple hardwire usb to ethernet converter/connection do the trick. A usb to ethernet adapter is only like 5$.

No. You need more than simply connecting the hard drive to the LAN. The hard drive has to act as a NAS (Network Attached Storage). Basically that means the box that you're connecting to the LAN has to have in it, in addition to the hard drive, a simple computer that can handle network file-transfer protocols, such as FTP, NFS, SMB, etc.

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  1. 3 Responses to “Can a simple USB to ethernet adapter allow my usb hard drive to be networked on my LAN?”

  2. By Grouchy Dude on Dec 29, 2008 | Reply

    No. You need more than simply connecting the hard drive to the LAN. The hard drive has to act as a NAS (Network Attached Storage). Basically that means the box that you're connecting to the LAN has to have in it, in addition to the hard drive, a simple computer that can handle network file-transfer protocols, such as FTP, NFS, SMB, etc.
    References :

  3. By Brian Mair on Apr 5, 2009 | Reply

    Addonics makes a small “NAS (network attached storage) Adapter” that does just what you need.

  4. By Kiran on Nov 15, 2009 | Reply

    Awesome suggestion Brian. I am having a similar situation and the addonics products I think will do the job.
    I am also looking to connect a spare 500 GB drive to the network. Came across a bunch of usb to ethernet adapters, but somehow didnt feel they wud do the job.
    Thanks

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