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[tazz131]

Hello,

I need a little bit of help as I'm not sure if I'm able to do what I'm trying to accomplish.

Here's my setup.

Windows 7 desktop PC
-Connected to the internet wirelessly
-DNS 323 connected directly to gigabit ethernet port.

I'm able to access the NAS from my desktop computer (obviously).

However, I have a second laptop (Windows 7) that I'm trying to use to connect to my NAS as well.

I'm able to see my desktop computer on the network.  However, I'm unable to see the NAS.

Now, my question is, since I'm running my laptop and desktop on a wireless network, it makes sense that they see each other, but since my NAS is hard wired to a different network (I think) will that cause my wireless laptop to be unable to see it?

I hope what I've described makes sense.

Thanks.

[jamieburchell]

It sounds like all devices are on the same network if your PC can see your NAS and your laptop can see your PC. Can you ping the IP address of the NAS from your laptop?

[fordem]

Your NAS is connected directly to the gigabit ethernet port of your Windows7 desktop PC - presumably directly means a network cable from the PC, directly to the NAS, no hub, no switch, no router, no access point - network #1
You haven't told us how the Windows7 laptop connects to the desktop, but I suspect it's wirelessly - a typical home network might have a wireless router connecting to the internet and then several PCs that connect wirelessly to share the internet - network #2.

There's no link between network #1 & network #2, at least none that you have mentioned - so there is no communication path between the two, unless you build one using the PC as a router or bridge - it can be done - but it would probably be a lot easier to connect the NAS to the router that's in network #2, assuming that there is one.

[HSishi]

Hmm.  There are two ways:

A. Try to "share" the internet connection of PC's WLAN adapter for the Ethernet ports.
I have a german OS here so I don't know if the features are correct translated:
1. Network and Sharing center -> Change adapter settings
2. Rightclick on your WLAN adapter - Properties -> second register "Sharing".
Activate the upper checkbox and select your Gigabit adapter, then confirm settings with 2x [Ok]

B. Try to "bridge" the WLAN and LAN adapters.
1. Follow the way 1. (described above).
2. Mark the WLAN and the Gigabit adaptor(s) and select "Bridge...".
That's it, W7 builds a network bridge by itself and reconnects you to the WLAN router by itself

Hope this helps.

//HSishi

[fordem]

Hmm.  There are two ways:

A. Try to "share" the internet connection of PC's WLAN adapter for the Ethernet ports.
I have a german OS here so I don't know if the features are correct translated:
1. Network and Sharing center -> Change adapter settings
2. Rightclick on your WLAN adapter - Properties -> second register "Sharing".
Activate the upper checkbox and select your Gigabit adapter, then confirm settings with 2x [Ok]

B. Try to "bridge" the WLAN and LAN adapters.
1. Follow the way 1. (described above).
2. Mark the WLAN and the Gigabit adaptor(s) and select "Bridge...".
That's it, W7 builds a network bridge by itself and reconnects you to the WLAN router by itself

Hope this helps.

//HSishi

A will not work, because ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) which is the feature being used, configures the PC to act as a NAT router, and the NAT process, by default, will block any "inbound" connection requests.

B should work, but, may create security issues, and for that reason I would not recommend it.

Networks & network devices like NAS, generally work best when used as designed, cobbled together work arounds have a way of coming back to bite you - the DNS-323 was designed to be connected to a router or switch, not directly to a PC's ethernet port.

[HSishi]

the NAT process, by default, will block any "inbound" connection requests

Mh, right, didn't think about that.

Security issues shouldn't be the problem because there's a WLAN router involved.

I have to agree, normally it's better to attach the NAS to the router also but I assume it's not a Gigabit router so Tazz131 would have a loss of performance between PC and NAS (normal useage).
There will be slow (very slow) transfer from WLAN laptop to NAS because of WLAN traffic. It would be better if the NAS is connected to the Router.

So basically it's a question of which LAN client works primary with the NAS.

//HSishi

[jamieburchell]

Oops didn't spot that the NAS was connected to the PC's NIC. Would be far simpler to attach it to the network. It is a NAS after all.

[fordem]

Mh, right, didn't think about that.

Security issues shouldn't be the problem because there's a WLAN router involved.

I have to agree, normally it's better to attach the NAS to the router also but I assume it's not a Gigabit router so Tazz131 would have a loss of performance between PC and NAS (normal useage).
There will be slow (very slow) transfer from WLAN laptop to NAS because of WLAN traffic. It would be better if the NAS is connected to the Router.

So basically it's a question of which LAN client works primary with the NAS.

//HSishi

The OP never mentions a router, so that's an assumption - and - just so you're aware, I've seen bridged connections, with an encypted WLAN create a back door that allowed wireless users without the encryption keys to connect and use the network VIA the bridge - I no loner use it.

[HSishi]

Hmmm ... right, he didn't mention a router, just a WLAN connection. My fault.

But this reminds me of something. Some time ago I bought a WLAN adaptor to enhance a network with WLAN functionality:

CONRAD WLAN ROUTER/ACCESSP./CLIENT N150

I think it's possible to make the NAS available within the WLAN network with this so you can access it from the notebook too. The price is a massive loss of transfer speed PC <--> NAS.

//HSishi

[fordem]

For the sake of discussion, let's assume he has no wireless router, he gets his internet some sort of wireless connection - yes - that wireless adapter will let him connect his NAS to the wireless network, and not will he be able to access the NAS from both computers, but so will every one else connected to his ISP's wireless network.

If he does have a wireless router, then connecting the NAS directly to the router WILL provide the simplest solution, and assuming a gigabit router (or switch) also the best performance.

[HSishi]

Amen. So let's wait for any information from Tazz131 then.

//HSishi