[srmom06]

Hello, I am NOT an expert on computers, and I think I have gone way over my head on some networking issues. I hope someone could help me or tell me where I should look into other forums that would address the networking issues I am having.

This is our home networking setup.
Home - 6 macs, = 2 laptops, 1 imac, 1 g4, 1 mini, 1 mac pro.

1 Lacie 2TB -big raid - purchased to use as a media storage NAS & TImecapsule

1 Star Raidon purchased from OWC - had problems with it, right now, backing up the LACIE NAS. Use Data Backup Prosoft for the backup.

2 external drives (mostly for backups). Lacie, WD, etc.

Apple TV - about to max out on memory, need to install external drive.

Ethernet through the house. - no problems here

Use airport. Use netgear router. - no problems here

2 HP printers (networked). - no problems
I can access files for all of the external drives from the mac pro (the main computer).

The problem /question
Is there one big fabulous software that can manage the whole network? I mean software for regular users like me! I googled and found FREE Nas, but as I said, I am not a techie, I don't know code, etc.
Cisco has the home networking software which does not address the networking issues.
Netgear, etc. everyone has their own software. Is there a away I can install one company's software on all drives so that I can manage it with one interface.

THe Lacie only works with Lacie from I can tell.
THe stardon Raidon - that is another software interface which I erased the drive but don't know how to access the drive as far as management.
Lacie Network assistant - I cannot login to Lacie. It says it is reconnecting, etc. I am working on this issue with customer support. Even though I cannot access the Lacie, it is still working (time machine, network server, etc). Have 5 solutions I can try to fix it, so I don't need advice on that for now.

Maybe there is no one stop solution for the above!
The above is supposed to make my life easier and more fun, but I think this is all too much trouble!

If anything, someone should come up with a software that can do all of the above. As the technology gets more complicated, I don't see software that makes it easier to manage it.

[Cold Warrior]

Welcome to MacNN.

Apple's Airport Utility offers a unified way of managing both networking gear (Airport Express, Extreme, Time Capsule) and NAS (Time Capsule, APExtreme+USB DAS).

Is this thread about unified solutions or do you want specific help with your Lacie? If the latter then I suggest you create a separate thread about that so we can focus best on helping you.

[srmom06]

Originally Posted by Cold Warrior 

Welcome to MacNN.

Apple's Airport Utility offers a unified way of managing both networking gear (Airport Express, Extreme, Time Capsule) and NAS (Time Capsule, APExtreme+USB DAS).

Is this thread about unified solutions or do you want specific help with your Lacie? If the latter then I suggest you create a separate thread about that so we can focus best on helping you.

Many thanks!
The main question is the unified solution. I checked airport utility, but all the "NAS" as well as the attached external drives of the mac pro are via ethernet, which is not wireless.
Is there a software that integrates the wireless and ethernet management of NAS and hard drives?

[besson3c]

It is not clear to me what you mean by "manage the network". What are you trying to accomplish here, exactly?

[Simon]

Originally Posted by srmom06 

Many thanks!
The main question is the unified solution. I checked airport utility, but all the "NAS" as well as the attached external drives of the mac pro are via ethernet, which is not wireless.

AirPort Utility manages all AirPort and Time Capsule devices. NAS with these devices works regardless of the connection type. You could connect all the devices together through Ethernet, not have a single wireless client and you'd still be using AirPort Utility to manage your NAS setup.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by srmom06 

Is there one big fabulous software that can manage the whole network? [...]
If anything, someone should come up with a software that can do all of the above.

Originally Posted by besson3c 

It is not clear to me what you mean by "manage the network". What are you trying to accomplish here, exactly?

I'm with besson.

I totally don't get what you're trying to do and what your problems are.
Your narrative is very convoluted.

-t