External hd/ time machine connectivity

[Smalltowntech]

I purchased my new mbp back in May and when I did I purchased a usb 1Tb passport to set up for my time machine data. Originally I had a cable modem with a usb port that I was hoping to use but I had to change out the type/model of my modem and my current model does not have a usb port to utilize.

I am currently plugging my external hard drive directly into a usb port on the side of my machine, but I have to unplug it and either tote it back and forth to work or just plug it in again when I get back home. I was hoping for a more wireless option.

My question is this:
Is there a wireless hub (nas or otherwise) that I would be able to plug my usb hd into my current router (motorola surfboard) and access my external usb hd without having to physically plug it in every time I get home? It would be nice to have my mbp connect to it wirelessly every time I am home and on the network.

I have done some research into nas adapters and it appears that some seem to work and many do not. I was wondering if any of you have a similar system and would have some ideas on what works well and what does not. There are other computer users in our home that use PCs and I was hoping to pick up a hub arrangement that would allow them to store and access files via the network as well.

 

[vaughaag]

Hi Smalltowntech,

There are a number of routers out there that support USB attached storage devices, I have a Netgear DGN3500 but there is a short list of devices it supports.

There are also a number of NAS options, buffalo and iomega offer time machine nas support. I would be careful with iomega devices though as I am having issues with mine at the minute.

If you do go down the NAS route, remember that if you ever need to restore your system from the TM backup via the NAS you will have to mount it, I found this an interesting read Restoring Internal Drive Using Time Machine and NAS Server.

Rgds,
Dave

 

[Smalltowntech]

Thank you for the quick reply. I am currently getting my internet through cable and I am using a motorola surfboard router. It has ethernet plugs but no usb ones.

My external hd is a 1Tb Passport that I have formatted as Mac Os Extended (journaled) and I currently have to plug it in via usb directly into my laptop every time I get home.

I was hoping for a network option to be able to plug in this hard drive (and others for the rest of the house) so that time machine sees the drive and uses it via the network hub instead of having to plug it in. If I have to reformat the drive for it to work that is fine, but I would really rather not have to lose what backup information I have on there.

Is there a relatively inexpensive option that will enable me to see and use the hd for time machine and others for the household at a later date? I was hoping for an option under $100 or I might as well break down and buy a new router - most of those only have one usb slot to start with anyway.

Any help you can give on this would be appreciated.