How do I turn my external hard drive into network storage?

Adding an external hard drive to your network

1. Connect the external hard drive to the USB port of your server or computer that is always ON.
2. Click the Start button, then click Computer.
3. Right-click on the external drive, then select Share with.
4. Click the Advanced Sharing…
5. Check the Share this folder option.

How do I convert my USB hard drive to a network drive?

If your hard drive has its own Ethernet port, you can connect the device to the network directly. Simply plug the hard drive into its power supply, connect the device to the router using an Ethernet cable, and you’re done. Now your hard drive will be available for remote connections over the network.

Can you use an external hard drive as a network drive?

Turn an external hard drive into a network drive to access your files, even when your computer is turned off. Through a network drive, you can keep all those files on a hard drive, access them even when your computer is turned off, and make them accessible to the entire household.

Can I use normal HDD in NAS?

While you can technically use regular hard drives in a NAS setup if you really want to, you won’t get the same level of reliability and performance that you would when using hard drives specifically made for a NAS.

How do I access an external hard drive connected to my router?

Choose a hard or flash drive to share

1. Format to give it a new name and start before using it.
2. The connected drive will be displayed in the router.
3. The drive connected to the router will appear as a shared folder.
4. Use the drive connected to the router like you would any drive connected to your computer.

Can I connect a USB hard drive to my router?

First, you can connect an external USB hard drive to a router that features USB ports. This method works only when the hard drive features its own Ethernet port: Simply plug the hard drive into its power supply, plug the hard drive into the router with an Ethernet cable, and you’re done.

Can I connect a USB drive to my router?

Most modern routers have a USB port into which you can plug in a USB-compliant device to share with other devices on your network, like a printer or, in this case, an external hard drive. Once you’ve located the USB port on your router, go ahead and plug in your USB external hard drive.

How do I connect an external hard drive to my wireless network?

First, you can connect an external USB hard drive to a router that features USB ports. Plug the hard drive into the wall and then connect it to the router. The hard drive may be instantly recognized, or it might require additional configuration. The second method to connect a hard drive is directly.

What is the difference between a NAS HDD and a regular HDD?

With the heat-resistant and anti-vibration design, a NAS HDD is tailor-made for a NAS server, providing 24/7 operation with higher speeds. A NAS HDD is designed to run for weeks on end, while a desktop HDD can only read and write data for hours at a time. A NAS HDD is also built specifically for RAID setup.