Western Digital My Book World 1TB Network Hard Drive

[lordsmoover]

Hi People

I would like to know what do you think about this network external hard-drive basicly i would like to use it for home i have 3 computers on this network and it would be nice for everyone to shear from the network external hard-drive but that's not just it.

My Question is this hard-drive can i connected it to a usb computer and put files on it with out using the ethernet port on the back. i know it have a usb 2.0 port on the back to add additional external storage - Plug in an external USB drive to the port on the back of the drive for added capacity.

I want to know if it is possible before i buy this mybook network drive. if i can connected directly to my computer with usb 2.0 with out using the ethernet port.

THANKS
MATTHEW

[lordsmoover]

may be a few links can help

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0559141155.120735912 0@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccgadedjmflldjcflgceggdhhmdfhk.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=306727&category_oid=

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/3473714/Western-Digital-1TB-My-Book-World-Edition-External-USB2-0-Network-Hard-Drive/Product.html?cm_mmc=Froogle-_-PC-_-Upgrades-_-Western%2BDigital%2B1TB%2B%22My%2BBook%22%2BWorld% 2BEdition%2B%2F%2BExternal%2BUSB2.0%2B%2F%2BNetwor k%2BHard%2BDrive&source=5066&engine=froogle_pc&keyword=Western+Digital+1TB+%22My+Book%22+World+Ed ition+%2F+External+USB2.0+%2F+Network+Hard+Drive


http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=347

[lordsmoover]

Still no one came up with an answer. is it possible no one have a network drive like this ? :-/

[Ajmukon]

to be honest, i have no idea,
i would just use an older computer (P4 min, but a P3 might do it), install ubuntu Server on it, and use that for anything i might need.

[Paul Komski]

The only mention of USB in the manua (http://www.wdc.com/en/library/usb/2779-701026.pdf)l is to add an external USB drive to the system and not to make the network drive accessible via USB.

[Erik]

I don't understand, if you want to get it to share files, why wouldn't you use the network connection option? If you only want local storage look into USB hard drives or even just a 1TB second internal HD.

[Paul Komski]

Not every PC has an ethernet port. Not every PC has a USB port. Some have both and some have neither. I can see the logic of wondering if both methods could be used; it appears not.

[Rick]

I don't have one of these

But I do have a number of NAS drives
ALL have the usb port and they are in fact used for Adding drives and or printer

To access the nas without a router or hub/switch
It is easiest to do it with a cat5 cross over cable

If you want to connect directly to it that is