CONVERT external drive into NAS

icecappacino · Jun 30, 2015

I have an external HDD enclosure running Windows 7 and I have a WD My Passport drive. Is there anyway I can convert anyone of them into a NAS drive using little to no additional hardware? I have a USB to Ethernet Adaptor if anything.

jsmithepa · Jun 30, 2015

An external USB HD can be plugged into the back of WIFI routers which many time sports a USB port just for the purpose, as long as (1)U don't expect more than 25 MB/S thruput, (2)Your Passport can't be of the encrypted variety, and (3)Router USB port may only support FAT and FAT32, read the manual.

SuperSoph_WD · Jul 1, 2015

Hey there, icecappacino!

@jsmithepa is totally right! You'd need to re-format your WD My Passport with a file system that would be recognizable by your router. ( http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=uOlnMy ) You should also check what kind of USB ports you've got on it, or as already mentioned read the router manual or refer to the manufacturer's official website. Either way it's not really recommended to use the external as a network drive. We've got a Wi-Fi mobile storage external drive that is My Passport Wireless. This model wouldn't have any issues being mapped on your router, you can check more about it here: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=0oEm28
How to map a WD NAS product on PC: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=G0uawn

However, if you decide to use the WD My Passport you've already got with the router, I'd recommend you to keep backups of the data stored on it somewhere else as well, and also keep an eye on its performance and health using Data LifeGuard Diagnostics: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=O6ZvyC

Hope I was helpful! Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

icecappacino · Jul 1, 2015

jsmithepa :

would you believe my wireless router doesnt have a usb port. gonna have to find an adapter.

icecappacino · Jul 1, 2015

SuperSoph_WD :

Hey there, icecappacino!

@jsmithepa is totally right! You'd need to re-format your WD My Passport with a file system that would be recognizable by your router. ( http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=uOlnMy ) You should also check what kind of USB ports you've got on it, or as already mentioned read the router manual or refer to the manufacturer's official website. Either way it's not really recommended to use the external as a network drive. We've got a Wi-Fi mobile storage external drive that is My Passport Wireless. This model wouldn't have any issues being mapped on your router, you can check more about it here: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=0oEm28
How to map a WD NAS product on PC: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=G0uawn

However, if you decide to use the WD My Passport you've already got with the router, I'd recommend you to keep backups of the data stored on it somewhere else as well, and also keep an eye on its performance and health using Data LifeGuard Diagnostics: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=O6ZvyC

Hope I was helpful! Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

thanks. my passport is a regular drive. Might have to format it to FAT. Was hoping someone would recommend a low end network adaptor.

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CONVERT external drive into NAS

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