How effective would connecting an NAS device (to the router) via an ethernet bridge be? [Please read details].
I’ve just bought an NAS device (Buffalo Linkstation Pro) which requires direct access to the router via a chosen ethernet port. Unfortunately our router is located on the floor below. As I’m living in student house, I’m wary of leaving the device out in the hallway plugged into the router (potential damage/ theft).
I believe this leaves me with two options:
1: buy a 30m ethernet cable,
or
2: buy an ethernet adapter/ bridge.
Netgear recommends either the WGE101 or WGE111. I’ve searched for both devices, but it seems that they’ve been discontinued or are out of stock in most stores. I think this may be due to the fact that normal routers now have the capability to bridge with a detected wireless connection.
Does anyone know this to be the case? If so, does it matter on the type of router I purchase to bridge the connection, given that we currently have a DSL/ cable connection?
How much more effective will the wired option be? Is an ethernet bridge a viable option?
One Response
beer_master2003
30 Nov 2009
A NAS (Network Attached Storage) system can be plugged into any switch or hub (switched are preferred and more common now). Just buy ANY Network switch and plug the Ethernet cable from the router into it. Then plug in your computer and NAS. If your NAS doesn’t have and security features like Password Access, then you may want to get a Switch with FIREWALL built into it to keep other people out of it, you may want to avoid using a router instead of a switch (to use the NAT as a firewall) because it may have complication with the existing router, even with a bridge mode, you then basically turned it into a fancy switch.