How to connect NAS directly to my PCs Ethernet port without Router

You need to set IP addresses manually on both devices, on the same subnet. They are probably set to use DHCP and since they aren't connected to the network, only each other, they are unable to establish IP addresses, thus the error message.

However, I am not sure you are going to be able to connect directly to your PC and get the results you are expecting. The NAS is a self contained system itself, with its own operating system, file system, etc. Connecting it to your network will let you back up files to the NAS for all users authorized on your network. Connecting directly to your PC will not appear as local disks (RAID 1) on said PC. It will just be a NAS on a small network. Understand?

My advice is to connect to your network and backup you files to the NAS like it was intended to operate.

Good luck!!!

Have you contacted Buffalo?

Have you searched the User Manual for this detail?

Does the Buffalo require the same "workgroup" setting?


Just probing here ...


MRFS

I looked at one of the Setup Manuals for a Buffalo unit like yours
(not sure if I am looking at the right manual). Nevertheless, see here:




To me, this diagram implies that you need a hub or router
in between your PC and this Buffalo unit.

This also implies that a straight connection with the
RJ-45 cable they provided you, is the WRONG ONE:

I think you would need the "cross-over" version
of the RJ-45 cable, because the internal pin layout
inside hubs and routers takes care of this automatically.

I won't guarantee the above, because I don't have experience
with that Buffalo unit:

I'm only providing the above as "talking points" / things to consider.


Good luck.

p.s. repeating: Buffalo should be able to answer that question for you
-- with authority.


MRFS

The issue is that you purchased the wrong answer to your need. NAS is Network Attached Storage, and you don't have a network to attach it to. If you can, return this and get a USB or esata storage.

There may be a product out there that will get you a wireless to wired ethernet, then you can use the NAS on the same wireless setup.

p.s.

> My advice is to connect to your network

He said he doesn't want to do that, however,
see above e.g.:

"Plugging it into the internet router is not an option"


MRFS

Folks, using a straight cable or a cross-over is a moot point. Most modern network adapters will auto-negotiate to establish a connection. The key problem here is trying to use a NAS like a local external HDD/RAID. It may be possible, but it seems to not be the case with this device.

I assume "not an option" comment is because the shared network is not directly accessible by goldenhours. I can think of a couple of kludges that could work. One, you could add a second wireless router configured as an access point to connect the PC and the NAS to the network. Another way would be to add a second network adapter to the PC and configure network sharing, thus putting the NAS on a separate LAN segment.

Couple things to chew on here. Goldenhours, please provide a little more detail on your network config and we might be able to come up with a workable solution for you.

Why wouldn't a cheap hub be a solution, then?

(See the Diagram I pulled from a Buffalo user manual above.)


MRFS

A hub/switch could be used, but the NAS would, in effect, be on a separate LAN segment and the PC would still need to connect to both the wired and wireless segments. Pretty much the same as connecting the NAS and PC directly together.

"I'm a joint user on a shared wireless connection" - can you explain what you mean by that?

In theory, you should be able to connect to the NAS using a crossover ethernet cable. You would need to find out the default IP address of the NAS (for example, 192.168.1.100) and it's netmask. Assuming it has a default, and isn't DHCP only. Then manually set your PC's network info to be on that subnet.

> In theory, you should be able to connect to the NAS using a crossover ethernet cable. You would need to find out the default IP address of the NAS (for example, 192.168.1.100) and it's netmask. Assuming it has a default, and isn't DHCP only. Then manually set your PC's network info to be on that subnet.


Exactly my thoughts too: If his Buffalo will in fact work this way,
then Buffalo's Tech Support should be able to confirm this exact solution.


MRFS

thanks guys,

the reason i can't simply plug into the internet router is because it isn't mine and it is not in my flat (my neighbour and landlord lets me use the wireless on his connection).

as COLgeek said, all I want to do is use my NAS on a small network by plugging directly into the ethernet port of my PC.

will try the crossover cable suggestion and let you know how i get on...

With or without the crossover, you will need to assign IP addresses manually on the NAS, at a minimum. However, since your PC connects to the network wirelessly, you can setup internet connection sharing (ICS) on your PC (via your ethernet port). That way your PC will act as a server to assign an IP address to the NAS. The NAS will be on its own network segment, but that is a good thing as you don't want your neighbors using your NAS.

Well here is what you can do then. Talk to your neighbor and arrange to have the NAS connected right to the router. Then setup some file security on it and put aside some space for him to use himself. That way you get this thing on the network with no issues, and he gets some nice space to use for sharing the conenction with you.

Just make sure you don't get in an arguement with him or you may loose the NAS :-)

Thx, COLgeek, the ICS was what made it work for me in the end.

Excellent news! Glad you came to a workable solution. A win for the geeks of Tom's Hardware!!! Woo hoo!!!

You don't actually need any connection sharing, etc. If you simply obtain the software from buffalo's website for the main installer (Link Navigator Software). Once you have the software, don't install it yet, just have it readily available. Now, hook up the Link station to your Ethernet port on your computer (using a standard ethernet cable, not a cross-over cable) then turn the buffalo via the switch on the back into the "ON" position, don't use "AUTO".

After that, run the software installer for LinkNavigator, this will install the proper software to communicate with it properly. Then, it should be able to detect it. You can then use the software to view the buffalo's ip information, etc. You can then set your Ethernet adapter on your computer to statically assign your computers ip address to be the same as what the buffalo's "gateway" is set for. The just make sure the subnet mask and so forth match. Don't worry about setting any dns servers for this.

The software should then detect the backup drive (buffalo) and it should be viewable under your network places as well.

Just thought I'd share this on this old thread to help others out their searching for solutions, which i have done in the past on a couple of occasions.

Best regards,
Kevin Brown