I read
http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=50707.0
downloaded shareport_plus_manual_400.pdf, and then contacted d-link support.
I have a DIR-825 router, Hardware Version: B1, Firmware Version: 2.07NA, including 2 laptop PCs running Windows 7 Ultimate x64 behind the router, with all wired connections. (We just turn on wireless once in awhile for our cellphones.)
We currently backup nightly (during a common 1-3 hour time span using batch Cygwin rsync on both PCs) to a WD NAS harddrive also behind the router on the LAN, but I would like to use a regular harddrive plugged into the USB port of the router for this purpose. The D-Link shareport software does not permit simultaneous connections to a harddrive plugged into the router USB port.
Are any of these possible solutions?:
(1)
On page 37 of shareport_plus_manual_400.pdf, it suggests that shareport plus can handle multiple users, but d-link support says this is only when using the Go Mobile Companion device. Is this correct?
Shareport for PC only allows or 1 PC device to be connected at a time.
(2)
If sharepoint or sharepoint plus still cannot be used to backup simultaneously on a harddrive, I notice on
http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/connect/routers/dir-835-wireless-n750-dual-band-router
that perhaps two harddrives could be attached to a hub which is attached to the USB port of the router. Can each PC then backup to its own harddrive simultaneously?
I haven't had the experience in this to test it. I would presume it could be however the USB data flow would probably become a bottle neck and performance would not be good if there are 2 different data streams going at the same time.
(3)
From some other d-link postings, I read about Silex products, e.g., on
http://silexamerica.com
Can their software and/or hardware be used with the DIR-825 Ver. B1 USB port with a harddrive to satisfy my requirements?
You would need to ask them about what there SW supports.
(4)
Should I just give up on D-Link to satisfy my requirements, and look for another router that can handle this?
The DIR-825 is a solid router and handles many configurations. However when it comes to USB, ANY USB connections are not going to be as good as wired LAN connections. Most people prefer to use NAS on a LAN wired connection for maximum performance. We even suggest and recommend that the installation and use of a external Gb network swtich should be used to help eliminate any un-necessary router processing and provides the best LAN performance between 2 connecting devices, yet still provide Internet access and connectivity. USB has it uses however handling large file xfers and back ups, can be problematic. I wouldn't want to put my entire trust into backup using USB where LAN seems to handle this better.
Good Luck in your endeavours.
