How can I connect a USB External HDD to an Ethernet Router to use as a network drive?

I asked this question earlier and didnt really get any answers, now some a'wipe at yahoo answers has removed it for no apparent reason.

So I will ask again ... How can I connect a USB External HDD to an Ethernet Router to use as a network drive?



I own a USB external HDD, and a 4 port Ethernet wireless router and I want to connect the HDD directly to the router, can I get a converter, do I need to have a base unit (PC dedicated and always on) or can I connect it directly?



Cheers

Mike.How can I connect a USB External HDD to an Ethernet Router to use as a network drive?
I believe the reason your question is unanswered is because no one can come up with words to answer you. However I will try my best.



You say you have a USB drive, USB connect to USB ports NOT ethernet ports, which is what your router has. USB hardisks lack the ability to understand Network related things, i.e. it cannot understand if the router asks for files. Second of all the router does not understand what a dumb USB drive is trying to do. Which is why you need something intelligent in between to tell the router that this drive is like a shared folder. When we have two windows PC on a network with a router and we setup a LAN with it both PC can share whole/part of the drive because the PC and Wiindows softwares help each other, whereas the router will simply pass messages accross.



In order to setup a network disk you need to use A Network Enabled Disk Devise. There are many available in the market that function as network drive. Their are also just external casing available that you can use which may even be able to accomodate your drive (if its detachable) thereby offsetting cost.



The last and least helpful method you have already suggested yourself. " A dedicated PC" although a minimal PC will do (300Mhz. 64 MB Ram, Network card, usb port) then use Damn Small Linux or any other to setup an NFS share over windows workgroup OR simply use windows98 and share the disk. Distros like ubuntu are heavy but automount any USB device saving us the trouble. But if you intend to use NTFS steer clear of linux. Use Windows 98 instead.



Hope this helps.How can I connect a USB External HDD to an Ethernet Router to use as a network drive?
You can try this product but it does cost around 100, might be better to have a dedicated PC.



http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/drive鈥?/a>