Hi,Does netgear provide media server support either on their Orbi series or Nighthawk series for their Mesh products?I have a Asus router that supports media server where I use everyday. I need to switch to a mesh system to get rid of dead wifi spots in my house but I cant live without Media Server.Thanks,Okan

If by Media Server you mean attaching USB disk drives to the router, then Nighthawk appears to support that feature and Orbi definitely does not. (And is not likely to ever since all new Orbi products do not even have a USB port on them.) The consensus on the forum appears to be that using USB drives for media servers is no longer (cool? practical? relevant?). Most users who comment appear to have ethernet connected Network Attached Storage (NAS) solutions. Most Orbi and Nighthawk routers have ethernet ports and can support NAS.

FURRYe38 wrote: Try to limit use of wireless streaming if possible as wireless can be a factor in streaming performances and operations. You could even go a step further, limit use of wireless if possible for anything. In my case I have Powerline ethernet to join things together. Not just more reliable, but easier to set up.

CrimpOn wrote: The consensus on the forum appears to be that using USB drives for media servers is no longer (cool? practical? relevant?). To add to that, recent firmware updates from Netgear are removing this sort of DLNA feature from some routers in an attempt to make room for features, such as Armor and Circle, that can earn it money.

So can you guys educate me on this ethernet powered NAS? Is this basically an external hard drive connected via ethernet rather than USB? I would like to use my external hard drive connected to Orbi or Nighthawk to access, files, documents, videos, pictures from my phone, my computers and my tvs.

Exactly. Usually 2 or more drives to allow for error recovery. Google NAS storage.

Media Server Availability on Orbi or Nighthawk

14 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
May 29, 2020
If by Media Server you mean attaching USB disk drives to the router, then Nighthawk appears to support that feature and Orbi definitely does not. (And is not likely to ever since all new Orbi products do not even have a USB port on them.)

The consensus on the forum appears to be that using USB drives for media servers is no longer (cool? practical? relevant?). Most users who comment appear to have ethernet connected Network Attached Storage (NAS) solutions. Most Orbi and Nighthawk routers have ethernet ports and can support NAS.
- michaelkenward
  Guru - Experienced User
  May 29, 2020
  CrimpOn wrote:
  
  The consensus on the forum appears to be that using USB drives for media servers is no longer (cool? practical? relevant?).
  
  To add to that, recent firmware updates from Netgear are removing this sort of DLNA feature from some routers in an attempt to make room for features, such as Armor and Circle, that can earn it money.
  - okocakaya
    Aspirant
    May 30, 2020
    So can you guys educate me on this ethernet powered NAS? Is this basically an external hard drive connected via ethernet rather than USB? I would like to use my external hard drive connected to Orbi or Nighthawk to access, files, documents, videos, pictures from my phone, my computers and my tvs.

Forum Discussion

Media Server Availability on Orbi or Nighthawk