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    Networked USB Hub

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by wez312, Aug 7, 2006.

  1. wez312

    wez312 Notebook Consultant

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    Is there something that I can get that I can plug a bunch of USB Hard drives into and have then in turn plug that USB hub directly into a network wall plug?

    I know you can get networked hard drives and enclosures but this solution would be much more cost effective for a college student.

    Thanks
    Will
     
    wez312, Aug 7, 2006
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  2. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    Well, a networked hard drive IS the solution you're looking for, though. Or just use an old computer or something and plug the drives into that. There's really no such thing as a USB to Ethernet "bridge", you have to have a computer or something smart controlling the drives and the network connection.
     
    Pitabred, Aug 7, 2006
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  3. gethin

    gethin Notebook Evangelist

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    I agree with pitabred. there isn't anything out there to bridge usb/ethernet that can control HD's short of a Network hard drive. You can try and find a cheap network HD shell, that allowes you to put in your own HD.
     
    gethin, Aug 7, 2006
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  4. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    I think he has them in USB enclosures already. Best bet (on a budget) is to get a USB hub, and find someone's old desktop computer. Ask around, convince your parents to upgrade and give you their old one, whatever. Stick it in the corner, plug the drives into it, plug it into the network and have it share the drives on the network.
    My solution: buy 4 250GB drives, stick 'em into a media computer, map them into a RAID-5 array and just have 750GB of available space on the network ;)
     
    Pitabred, Aug 7, 2006
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  5. wez312

    wez312 Notebook Consultant

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    I'll have to look around at other options.

    Thanks
    Will
     
    wez312, Aug 7, 2006
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  6. wez312

    wez312 Notebook Consultant

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    wez312, Aug 7, 2006
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  7. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    Yes. But it'll only work for two drives. I doubt that it'll support a USB hub with more than two drives without some serious tweaking. But if you have more time than cash, it may be worth it ;) I just suggested an old computer of someone else's because that'll be the least technically challenging solution for more than a couple drives.
     
    Pitabred, Aug 7, 2006
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  8. wez312

    wez312 Notebook Consultant

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    Two drives is all I'm really looking for right now. Thanks for the quick replies!
     
    wez312, Aug 7, 2006
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  9. Sykotic

    Sykotic Notebook Evangelist

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    I have seen enclosures that were networkable, you just insert your ide drive and they were priced less than $100 on pricewatch. This would seem to be a better overall solution since you would only need 1 plug instead of 2. Either way, Good Look.
     
    Sykotic, Aug 7, 2006
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