Wireless NAS Connectivity

I recently bought a 1TB NAS by FantomDrives from Newegg. Great little product. I kinda want to connect to it wirelessly, but I don't know how to. It doesn't have built in wireless, so I thought I could get a cheapo router and plug the NAS in. But then I don't know if it's possible to connect to two wireless networks at once. For all I know I can't connect a router to it in the first place. Any suggestions?

 

Do you already have a router I assume in your network? If so you can get an access point, and plug it into your network you'll be able to connect to your NAS just like any other device on your network via wireless. If on the other hand you have a router, and you're going to buy a wireless router that will work too just turn off DHCP on the wireless router in effect making it an access point. Probably simpler to just buy an access point and plug it into your existing router. All you have to do then is configure the Wireless Security -- I'd recommend WPA2/AES encryption if your laptop supports it.

Phil

PS If it is this drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822204059

You should have no problems if you follow the scenario I outlined above.

 

Hey Phil,

Thanks for the reply =). Yeah it is that one. I do have a router but I don't have access to it. I s'pose I'll just get a router and assign an IP to it? Or should I get something like this?

 

Here is what I would do

Step 1.

Router --> plug in ethernet cable to NAS
Router --> plug in ethernet cable into WIRELESS ACCESS POINT
( I am assuming your router has a four port switch in the back that you can plug in the access point and NAS to)

If not then get a wireless router (AND TURN OFF THE DHCP IMMEDIATLY), and it will be an ACCESS POINT.

Then I would configure it this way

Router --> Turn of DHCP and FIREWALL (I forgot this step) --> plug in NAS to one of the switch ports in the back of the router (which is really an access point if you turn off DHCP and firewall)

Step 2.

Configure WIRELESS ACCESS POINT for WPA or WPA2 security if your laptop will do it.

Connect, and enjoy!

I hope this helps!

Phil

 

BTW NO I would NOT get a bridge, but an access point or a router (with DHCP and SPI firewall turned off)

 

WRT54G is a favorite router / switch of mine ... the latest iterations aren't great less memory, but they are still pretty cheap just make sure to turn off the DHCP server.

 

Alritey, I'll get that and see how that goes =)

 

Be happy to help you know where to find me!

 

I no longer like liksys, get the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 for the same $$$. It's firmware has an option for AP. And it supports the dd-wrt firmware.

 

I agree Linksys has gone downhill the Buffalo Tech router mentioned is a great router.

 

Problem is buffalo along with a bunch of other Router makers are being sued have stopped selling routers in the US until they can get the courts to reverse the order.

 

Woo, I'm replying after an extremely long time XD

So I got a pocket/travel router (don't ask), and it has only one ethernet port. I connected it to my computer, and configured it and such. It works, but not what I was looking for. As of now, if I want to connect to it, I'll have to disconnect from the internet, and then connect to my NAS. I don't want to do that - I want to be able to connect to my NAS without disconnecting from the internet. I suppose I'd have to assign an ip address to my router and enter that address in the URL field or something; I am not exactly sure. Anybody know how I can get that working?

 

To be honest I personally would not want wireless for my NAS as speed is definitely an issue when transferring large files. I would slap it right beside my router/switch and plug it in with a Cat5e wire. (Gigabit would be ideal)

Regardless, if you still want to use wireless I would suggest (as has been above) using a wireless Access Point NOT a router. As I am not sure if you can make a router a client of a wireless network like you can an Access Point. You also suggested using a bridge which in essence will work the same way as the access point BUT the AP being about $15-$20 cheaper. This scendario will put your NAS on the same "subnet" or network as your PC. Right now your PC and NAS are split up between 2 networks, this is why you have to disconnect from one or the other to do the desired task.

Lastly, to configure your router you need to look at your default gateway assigned by DHCP. Do this by going to Start -> Run -> Type "CMD" -> [ENTER] -> Type "IPCONFIG /ALL" -> [ENTER] -> Take note of the IP where it says default gateway. Type this IP address into your address bar; usually the default user name and password is: admin/admin or admin/password or just admin for password. I would check the config of your travel router to see if you can make it a Client of your existing wireless network, if not then you need to buy and AP or Bridge. Also, if you want to configure your travel router you need to obviously make sure you are connected to that wireless network before doing the previously mentioned command, same situation for your current router.

Hope this helps.

 

You can add a switch to your pocket router to expand the ports.

 

Yeah, just get a cheapo 10/100 switch and put it onto that pocket router that you have.

 

That won't solve his problem..... unless he plugs (or wirelessly connects) his PC in to it as well as his DSL or Cable modem, and the NAS, but this replicates his current situation.