Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[ChillyCat]

Good Morning Folks @ D-Link Forum

Need a couple PRE-PURCHASE questions answered.

Plan on purchasing the below:

1.) DGL-4500 Wireless Router

2.) DNS-321 External Storage Device


Need to be assured I can plug the DNS-321 into the DGL-4500's USB port.
Exactly which devices software would control the attached storage ?
As I understand it, both the router and storage device have seperate
configuration [software] screens. I'm planning to use this as a simple NAS.

And, i'd also like to attach my printer and have the ability to
share that printer throughout my homes network'd computers.
Is this possible since the router has only one "SHARE" USB ?


Thanks for any help you can add to my questions

[Dragonslore]

Here are the specs for the DNS-321
http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=666

This is a Network Storage Device and it does not appear to have any USB ports.

You'll need to plug it into a LAN port on the Router or if you need more ports for your network, use a Switch such as the DGS-2208

One thing that you need to realize which most people tend to Not Realize these day (or to forget)
NAS units are Not Add on devices (peripherals) which you can just connect to your system.

They are in fact a self contained Mini-Computer (personal server) which usually runs on a custom version of Linux. The firmware is nothing more than a combination of Linux and kernel mode drivers along with any software modules (packages).

I don't know how well the D-Link NAS systems are as I have not used them yet, but a word of advice if you want to avoid problems with any NAS you purchase, Always plug them into a good UPS unit to protect them from any power surges or interruptions.

I used to own a Linksys NAS200 and dealt with issues surrounding it. Helped a lot of others who had problems because they did not use a UPS unit and treated it as an add on device. The biggest problem with the NAS200 is when the unit crashed from not shutting down properly, Linux would automatically scan the disks for any errors and attempt to fix any errors. This process took a long time on the NAS200 during which time the unit could not be accessed and there was no real indication of just what the unit is doing during this time period.

In the Linksys forums, there would be a lot of people giving bad advice or just not understanding what was actually going on. The worst thing was trying to help when others would be providing bad advice.

I have since given my NAS200 away.

From what I've heard of D-Link NAS units, when I do get around to purchasing a new NAS, it'll be a D-Link unit.

[ChillyCat]

This is a Network Storage Device and it does not appear to have any USB ports.


 

 -- Can't believe I was thinking along those lines. The NAS has to be connected
     to router. I'm thinking my brain got bamboozled with that "sharing" USB port
     on the router.

     I'm running a FreeNAS generic box [converted an old PC] now, but the things
     slowly but surely, dying. Hopefully, the software supplied by D-Links more
     intuitive than FreeNAS. Anyone here that can share some insight on the setup
     software for the DNS-321 ?

     And.....as long as that USB port on the router works for print sharing,
     i'll be one happy camper.