Unfortunately no one can be told what fun_plug is - you have to see it for yourself.
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This seems like a really dumb/obvious question but i can't seem to find a definitive answer to whether or not it is possible to connect the DNS-323 directly to a computer via USB? I have a small network and plan to use it that way but i can think of some instances were it would be really handy to be able to connect it directly to a computer via USB. I noticed in a photo it has USB in the back but i wasn't sure if that was only to plug other USB devices into it (expansion?) or if it was mean to plug the DNS-323 directly into a computer (or both?).
Any clarification would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers
-Gaiko
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You can't connect it directly to a computer. The DNS-323 in itself is a computer.
However if you install the usb-storage module you can connect external USB disks to the DNS.
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The USB port on the DNS-323 is a "host" port http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb#Overview
you can connect one (or more) USB "devices" to a USB "host" port. A USB hard drive has
a USB "device" port.
The USB port on your computer is (most likely) also a USB "host" port and therefore
can NOT connect to the USB "host" port on the DNS-323.
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one of the reasons I like Firewire over USB is no matter what all you got to do is plug it in and mostly it works fine
is there a way to add a Firewire port or better yet a eSATA?
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Hmmm, ok so no direct USB DNS-323 to Computer connection, got it. But (and i should probably post this in some networking forum but I’ll post here too) what about a direct network cable from the dns-323 to the computer? Something like a twisted (crossed? can't remember the right terminology) Ethernet cable? Would that be possible? I work in development and travel *alot* and while i don't plan on using this as a take everywhere i go drive i do go to sites for a few weeks at a time and in a place that has no network and occasionally cramped quarters it would be nice to just be able to take the DNS-323 and my computer instead of oodles of cables, a router, etc (though for the record i am looking into a "portable" wifi-N router in the near future). As before any suggestions/help/insight would (and has been) really be appreciated!
Cheers
-Gaiko
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Yes, a simple ethernet crossover cable will work to connect the DNS-323 directly to your computer. Here's some info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_crossover_cable
Note that you'll have to play a bit with the network settings when you use a crossover cable. You can look up more info about this by searching for 'static vs dhcp ip'.
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in most cases if you have a newer NIC in your computer it is auto sensing and will switch from normal to crossover mode so you can use the cable that came with the DNS
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So crossover cables would work, sweet!
Leftkidney: Any idea (other than just trying it) how i can find out if my NIC supports the autoswitching?
Anywho, Thanks so much for so much help, you guys have pretty much helped me make up my mind about the DNS-323 and NAS.
Cheers!!
-Gaiko
Last edited by gaikokujinkyofusho (2008-02-05 17:10:54)
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Actually a straight through cable should also work - two reasons - check the spec for the ethernet chipset in the DNS-323 and you'll see it mentions auto MDIX and it's gigabit.
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