With the previous modem, supplied by Bell in Canada, I was able to plug a USB Drive and access its contents remotely from my TV or computers. But I cannot with this one. The modem does show in the Network in the Windows 10 File Manager, but if I try to open it it only opens a web page with its settings.
I tried with Linux, but it won't even show.
Any ideas/advise/suggestions will be appreciated :)
DPC
Is this video the same as what you have:
The NEW Bell Hub 4000 !! - YouTube
It shows a USB 3 port on one edge of the case. Looking for specs on the 'net is daunting. Most such devices of the last several years are combination Modem/Router but ISPs can offer just a Modem or the combo. The usual offerings by stores is for a Wireless Router with an Uplink port to a Modem.
Thanks for replying Berton :)
Yes, that is the one!
In the comments someone confirms that the USB ports are to plug a drive, but no one says they have tried. Let alone explaining if there is a known tricky way to do it.
I just tried, I plugged a USB hub on the USB C port, with an ext HDD. If I right-click on the showing modem in Windows 10 File Manager, I get a choice to open a Media Player. And I have been able to open image files. I did not have videos nor audio files in that drive, but I could have open them too. So if all you want is to make your media files available to anyone at home this would work nicely. Unfortunately I was hoping I could use it to dump my backup files regularly from the 3 computers I have. I guess I will have to find a different way
My latest Router [Netgear Nighthawk R7450] has the USB port but I haven't needed it yet, have 2 x 2TB WD My Cloud NAS drives attached via Ethernet cable to the Router, Map them from any computer wired or wireless.
This is great! You just opened my eyes about NAS drives! I am reading about them now. Thank you for sharing Berton :)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update:
I came across an interesting comment I wanted to share with you, namely to compare notes with you. I am looking forward to see what you think:
"Cheaper to use external hard drive and share it across the network. I don't see the need for raid for backup. Reason is you should have 3 copies of your data already. Your PC, external drive and one offsite like a cloud service. That expensive Raid Nas with hundreds of dollars of hard drives ain't going to do you any good with the house catches on fire and melts it into a heap of molten metal. a NAS is an unneeded expense now days. 10 years ago?? Maybe but not today..."
Source: NAS vs External Drive: What's Best For You? - Dignited
A NAS drive can be somewhat costly but maybe not too bad, depends upon what one wants to use. Mine are 2 x 2TB drives. Used to be mapped drives were assigned drive letter Z: in file management and as drives were added worked back up the alphabet, allowed room for things like thumb drives. There are NAS boxes that have 2 or 4 drives in them or more, that can get expensive in a hurry if the actual drives are in addition to the box. And I've not checked but believe those can be set up as RAID, maybe RAID 1 as mirror. For most folks a single NAS drive would be sufficient, a lot of my use is for data storage and backed up data from clients drives when I work on them.
Thanks for sharing Berton :)
It'll be something to consider in the near future. For now I seem to be ok sharing a drive through the network. At least I no longer need to move it from pc to pc to back them up.
- - - Updated - - -
Yes, it does. That is why I have been able to open image files. But unfortunately this access is limited to "media files', which is good for watching videos, listening to music, etc but not for doing system backups
A NAS does not have to be expensive. You can use a Raspberry Pi as a NAS for less than $100. Just about any old operable PC ready for the thrift store can be used as a NAS. You don't need the specific NAS boxes out there to make a NAS.
Quote