Connect a Network drive directly to PC?

JW1993 · 2 Sep 2012 at 13:32

I've just bought an Iomega 2Tb Home media drive and was wondering if I can connect this directly to the pc via ethernet to transfer files before connecting it to the router?

I've tried connecting the two via ethernet but it doesn't seem to do anything.

RJC · 2 Sep 2012 at 13:34

You should be able todo this with a crossover cable:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-131-BE

JW1993 · 2 Sep 2012 at 13:35

I'm just using the cable I got with the drive which is just a cat5e cable, I've got loads of network cables in the house will it have written on the cable if its a crossover cable?

PistolPete · 2 Sep 2012 at 13:36

Usually.

Plus you'll need to set static IP addresses on both the NAS and the PC.

RJC · 2 Sep 2012 at 13:36

Yes, it should do.

You could adapt one of the cables, I have done this in the past.

JW1993 · 2 Sep 2012 at 13:46

Thanks for the help

bremen1874 · 2 Sep 2012 at 14:27

If you're using the Z68 board in your signature you shouldn't need a crossover cable.

Phemo · 2 Sep 2012 at 15:04

Indeed, most modern NICs have supported auto crossover functionality for years now. Even the inbuilt NIC on one of my motherboards from 6 years ago did.

JW1993 · 4 Sep 2012 at 09:40

Yeah its that board, any other suggestions then? When its plugged in the computer just acts like its trying to connect to the network then after a while it just gives up.

KIA · 4 Sep 2012 at 09:52

footyfan93 said:
Yeah its that board, any other suggestions then? When its plugged in the computer just acts like its trying to connect to the network then after a while it just gives up.

PistolPete said:
Plus you'll need to set static IP addresses on both the NAS and the PC.

JW1993 · 4 Sep 2012 at 23:25

Im not having much luck with this do you have any links to a decent guide on how to do it?

bremen1874 · 4 Sep 2012 at 23:33

What network settings have you configured for the PC and the NAS?

Have you tried Pinging it?

Do you know that you'll probably have to connect to the NAS using its IP address?

E.g. \\192.168.1.100\foldername

mranderson · 4 Sep 2012 at 23:38

Should work straight away. Did it come with a utility cd? It will usually do all the configuration for you

JW1993 · 4 Sep 2012 at 23:47

I'm absolutely useless when it comes to networking I tried using this guide here: http://portforward.com/networking/static-win7.htm whilst the router was plugged in to the ethernet port, is this completely wrong? As it didn't work.

I'm pretty sure there was nothing else other than the storage manager on the CD but I'll put it back in and see whats on

bremen1874 · 5 Sep 2012 at 00:25

I assume you’re after Gigabit speeds, and your router isn’t Gigabit? If so the simplest option is to get hold of a cheap Gigabit switch. Connect the router, the PC and the NAS to the Gigabit switch and you'll have permanent Gigabit speeds without having to mess with any settings.

For your original query it’s really just a matter of doing things in the correct order.

With your PC configured to get its IP address automatically connect everything together via your router. This will allow both devices to obtain IP addresses from the router’s DHCP server.

There should be instructions with the NAS that’ll tell you how to access the configuration pages. With any luck there’ll be an option to set a static IP address. Configure it with an IP address in the same subnet as the dynamic IP issued by the router. Make sure you can still access the NAS using the new IP address.

Now configure Windows to use a static IP address in the same subnet. Again make sure you can still access the NAS.

Finally connect the PC directly to the NAS. With any luck you’ll still be able to access it.

When you’re done connect them back together via the router and revert them both back to dynamic IPs.

JW1993 · 5 Sep 2012 at 00:47

Thats worked mate thanks a lot