Networked-attached Storage (NAS) access with Windows RT 8.1 possible?

Question

Hi,

I have been looking at NAS adapters, ie: USB to Ethernet because I have an external USB drive I would like to make available on my router. Is this possible on RT or does the fact that client software and drivers need to be installed cause problems for RT?

Thanks

Lee

Answer 1

Hi

I have been reading about this device on your reply. I see that it does not need any drivers or software installed. Which Surface are you accessing it with?

The adapters I am talking about are just smaller versions of the Cisco Linksys. But of the smaller adapters I have read about they do need drivers and software installed.

Do you stream video over wifi using your NAS? What's the speed like if so?

I would like to understand the limitations of my 8.1 RT Surface. Would I be right in understanding that whether I buy a larger interface as in your link or a smaller adapter like the one below...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-PS310U-Single-Storage-Server/dp/B002LB8XFK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1390043899&sr=8-3&keywords=nas+adapter

... for RT the device must not need client software to be installed, additional drivers may be ok, but preferably not have to install anything on my RT?

I prefer an adapter because of the size and price and I only want to NAS one of my external USB drives and stream video over WIFI. But before I buy I need to understand what not to get for RT.

I will check out those routers but I think I might need to keep my router because it's set up and come with my Virgin cable installation.

Thanks

Lee

The PS310U needs a software installed in your PC to setup the device. Now, the reason behind that is that this device works also as printer server and those 99% of the time need drivers installed in each PC that will be using them. It may be that once you have the PS310U configured and an IP assigned then you could use it just as a NAS and you may not need anything installed in your Surface but I can't confirm that.

The NSLU2 doesn't need any software. For a Surface using Windows RT that's a very important part. Now, theses type of devices connecting USB HDD to a network tend to be slow compared to a real NAS. So copying from and to is slow. The device is not for streaming, but again, any adapter of this type will have the same problem.

If you really want to "stream" you need to find a really NAS.

I'm using one of these

http://www.amazon.com/Iomega-Media-Backup-Center-35538/dp/B007A2JNLS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390056056&sr=8-2&keywords=iomega+nas

Despite the reviews on Amazon, this device is good for streaming, copy from and too is fast if you use an ftp client for this process. And the best thing is that is one of the cheapest options n the market.

Answer 2

Hi,

I have been looking at NAS adapters, ie: USB to Ethernet because I have an external USB drive I would like to make available on my router. Is this possible on RT or does the fact that client software and drivers need to be installed cause problems for RT?

Thanks

Lee

I have a NAS in my network and I access it without any adapter. So your questions is not clear. Usually a NAS configuration in a home network looks like this:

1 - WiFi AP and router with few Ethernet Port

2 - NAS connected via Ethernet to your WiFi router (1)

3 - Your Surface connect to the router via WiFi and gains access to your NAS.

Answer 3

Hi,

I don't have a NAS. So to create one from my external USB drive I understand that adapters can be purchased. It's these I am referring to.

thanks

Lee

Answer 4

Hi,

 

I don't have a NAS. So to create one from my external USB drive I understand that adapters can be purchased. It's these I am referring to.

 

thanks

 

Lee

To do that this is the one that I'm using

 http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-Storage-Link-Drives-NSLU2/dp/B0001FSCZO

It's connected via Ethernet to my WiFi router and has two USB port where you can connect your HDD. There are some WiFi Routers from Asus that have USB port for HDD and even printers, you may want to check that option too.

Answer 5

Hi

I have been reading about this device on your reply. I see that it does not need any drivers or software installed. Which Surface are you accessing it with?

The adapters I am talking about are just smaller versions of the Cisco Linksys. But of the smaller adapters I have read about they do need drivers and software installed.

Do you stream video over wifi using your NAS? What's the speed like if so?

I would like to understand the limitations of my 8.1 RT Surface. Would I be right in understanding that whether I buy a larger interface as in your link or a smaller adapter like the one below...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-PS310U-Single-Storage-Server/dp/B002LB8XFK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1390043899&sr=8-3&keywords=nas+adapter

... for RT the device must not need client software to be installed, additional drivers may be ok, but preferably not have to install anything on my RT?

I prefer an adapter because of the size and price and I only want to NAS one of my external USB drives and stream video over WIFI. But before I buy I need to understand what not to get for RT.

I will check out those routers but I think I might need to keep my router because it's set up and come with my Virgin cable installation.

Thanks

Lee