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You are here: MacNN Forums > Enthusiast Zone > Networking > Uses for USB port on router?

Uses for USB port on router?
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rjenkinson
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Sep 27, 2010, 05:20 PM
 
I've setup my new Linksys router and I was wondering about what uses the USB port could be put to. I've got a few spare USB sticks around that I could use, but I'm wondering what use people get out of having a small FTP server? Is there really any point to it?
     
turtle777
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Sep 27, 2010, 05:22 PM
 
I dunno, I want access to ALL my computer files, not just a few on a stick or USB HD.
That's why I have Port 21 open, and can SSH into my machine.

I wouldn't have a use for that kind of a USB port.

-t
     
seanc
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Sep 27, 2010, 05:47 PM
 
Some routers can use the USB port to act as a 3G USB connection, others act as print servers or NAS.
     
ghporter
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Sep 27, 2010, 06:08 PM
 
There are a lot of Linksys-branded routers. Which one do you have?

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
Oisín
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Sep 27, 2010, 06:31 PM
 
I use mine for my printer …
     
reader50
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Sep 27, 2010, 06:35 PM
 
Plug in an external HD, see if Time Machine can see it.
     
chabig
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Sep 27, 2010, 07:41 PM
 
Read the manual?
     
rjenkinson  (op)
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Sep 27, 2010, 09:43 PM
 
Originally Posted by ghporter View Post
There are a lot of Linksys-branded routers. Which one do you have?
It's the 610N.

I'm not interested in using Time Machine over wireless. And yes, I have read the manual. While it explains how to setup the router to use the port, it doesn't cover the utility of the feature. Right now I'm just not seeing how the port and FTP server on the router would be that useful. As Turtle said, I'd rather have everything available to me. I'll look into setting up my printer through the router. I forgot to consider that avenue.
( Last edited by rjenkinson; Sep 27, 2010 at 10:02 PM. )
     
ghporter
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Sep 27, 2010, 10:12 PM
 
It's supposed to be just network storage. Which in itself is a handy thing-it's automatically shared among the network users, so you can share lots of content. But as it's wireless and presumably you'll be doing everything with it wirelessly, that's a throughput issue.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
turtle777
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Sep 27, 2010, 10:14 PM
 
Originally Posted by ghporter View Post
It's supposed to be just network storage. Which in itself is a handy thing-it's automatically shared among the network users, so you can share lots of content. But as it's wireless and presumably you'll be doing everything with it wirelessly, that's a throughput issue.
Exactly.

Compare: USB connected wireless HD vs. FireWire HD connected to Mac and shared

The latter wins hands down.

-t
     
ghporter
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Sep 27, 2010, 10:16 PM
 
Yep. The only drawback is the shared bit. If you want that, plug a smallish hard drive into the router port and share stuff. But for backup and offline storage, a "real" hard drive is warranted, not something you have to wait forever for.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
   
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