Network to USB

Bristolian

Bristolian

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Steve
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Howdy folks,

I wonder if anyone can suggest a piece of hardware that will enable me to connect a couple of USB devices (printer/external hard drive) to my home network?

I have been using a 4-port device which I purchased from Maplin but it has died today and didn't work very well even when it was working, so I don't fancy getting another one. I've seen a TPLink unit but it's only single port - maybe I can connect a 4-way USB hub to that.

I've also been looking for a DSL/cable router with a built-in USB port but can't find one.

Suggestions anyone?
 
Hi
Draytek routers have USB which can be used for hard drives (no sure about other devices).
I can certainly recommend them as reliable routers with loads of features.

Mike
 
are you on cable (virgin) or adsl (telephone) - do you already have a modem/router from the ISP

often the router will provide a print server via usb or a mediaserver via usb - i'm not sure of both

there are hubs you can buy to connect to an ethernet port on the router and then USB for harddrive and for printer - belkin make 2 one ethernet only ( i have that version) and 2nd is wireless connection
 
Hi Wayne,

I'm on Virgin cable and already have their (old) cable modem and a TP-Link wireless router but the router doesn't have a USB port.

I've just ordered TP-Link sngle port print server from Amazon which claims it will work with a USB hub (which I already have) so will have to see if that works.

If not then I might just give up :D
 
Wayne,

The one I have ordered is TL-PS310U. I didn't check the compatability list but figure Amazon will do an exchange/refund if it doesn't work. Relying on their good nature, as always :)

If this doesn't work I'll take a look at the Belkin one.

Cheers :)
 
Hi Folks,

Just a quick update ... the TP-Link USB server arrived today and was set up in about 15 minutes (3 computers). I've added a 4-port USB hub with my Epson Stylus Color 1400 and Seagate external hard drive plugged in.

All three computers can access the printer with no problem although it takes about 15 seconds for it to start printing if it hasn't been used for a while. Subsequent prints are just as quick as before, as far as I can tell.

One small niggle is that the Seagate can only be accessed directly by one computer at a time. This isn't much of an issue as it's visible to the other computers via our homegroup which means they can all read/write to it.

So, my problem is solved and I wanted to say thanks to those that offered advice. Cheers people :thumbs:
 
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