If you have a salvaged and "useless" hard drive (For example that of your TV box: Tutorial: Reuse your TV box disk), an internet box and two hands… This tutorial can help you create a NAS server (Network Attached Storage – Network storage server) in order to find all of your multimedia files throughout your home and on all of your devices...
This tutorial does not necessarily require a lot of computer knowledge, but above all patience, concentration and a computer!
But first, what is a NAS server? It is a hard drive connected to the network. This allows you to easily exchange files between your devices within the same internet home. It is in some ways a personal Cloud that you can only access by being connected to your internet box or router.
A NAS Dongle is a small device that allows you to connect your external hard drive to the network very simply. There are several different brands, sizes and shapes. You can even find one of the same brand as your external hard drive, which allows for easier and often more aesthetic integration...
Here's how to create a NAS with a NAS Dongle
Once you have obtained a NAS Dongle at a price that seems affordable to you, check that you have all of the following items:
- an ethernet cable (to connect your hard drive to the network). It may come with the NAS Dongle. But in this case, check if the length is suitable for you.
- An external hard drive and its USB -> USB 2.0 cable.
Attention the hard drive must inevitably be blank… Indeed, there is a good chance that you will have to format it.
When you have your NAS Dongle follow these steps:
- Connect your hard drive to the dongle;
- Plug your dongle into an outlet (close to the box is better!);
- Connect your dongle and your box.
Once this is done, your dongle and therefore your hard drive are on the network. Now you have to create the access rights,…
Start by opening an internet window and typing 192.168.1.1 (The address to access the configuration of your box, make sure that your browser does not add “http://” in front of the address). Find your network architecture and note the address to which it is "hosted" your dongle.
Normally you will have a CD that came with your dongle to install a small program to configure it, just follow these steps.
Once you have configured your dongle, be careful of the following:
- Make sure the dongle's IP address is fixed (normally this is fixed by the installed program, but two precautions are better than one);
- Create as many accounts as you have terminals to connect;
- Create an FTP server to easily connect from mobile devices
And There you go !
Buy a Synology Nas server and enjoy your personal cloud
It is, of course, possible to create a NAS yourself from a computer, but few people want to embark on the adventure. So to still benefit from the advantages of a personal cloud, but without the hassle of designing it, opt instead for a ready-to-use network storage server.
The benefits of this smart storage device connected to your network, whether at home or at work, are numerous. The savings made compared to storage by a paid public cloud is a first point, but it is not the only one.
A NAS allows you to save and synchronize files from the same entity (family, office, etc.), including those from your Mac, if you choose the Synology NAS, in particular. The models of this brand are particularly interesting, because they offer multiple possibilities to its users.
Not only do they offer a very large storage space (and without a subscription), but they also allow you to keep all the photos taken from your different mobiles, grouping them by similarity of faces, subjects or places, and that. A feat achieved thanks to the power of artificial intelligence technology.
A Synology NAS can also be used as a multimedia broadcaster, offering the possibility of watching videos from your computers, your mobiles, or Android TV, for example, without having to copy them between the different devices.
To purchase this innovative device, order your Nas Synology on this site specialized in the sale of computer equipment for professionals. You will find different models of NAS of the brand adapted to your needs. You will have the choice between models with 2 bays, 4 bays, or even more, at the fairest price.
Article updated on January 24, 2021 by Byothe
