Connecting router to external USB drive

> 1) There is a big difference: [...]

   Not really.  Files are files.  Network access is network access (give
or take).

> [...] This guide: [...]

   As I read that, you have some USB-connected disk or other with a
normal Mac OS Extended (Journaled) partition.  While it was connected to
the Mac, did you copy some files to it, and verify that you could
recover them?

> Yet it refused to connect at the point of "Connect to Server" in the
> instructions in previously mentioned guide... which does include the
> steps you mentioned.

   What, exactly, does "refused to connect" mean?  Did you get any
actual error message(s)?

   Which "the steps"?  I mentioned many possible steps.  I assume that
you didn't try all of them.

> [...] Did you provide any name and password credentials when
> requested?  [...]

   Still wondering.

> 4) I referred to my MacBook so I thought that would be clear enough as
> to where I was using Genie... Guess not.

   The question was not where, but what.  Netgear routers have a
web-browser interface called "Genie", and Netgear offers application
programs for various computers/pads/phones, which are also called
"Genie".  Are you using a web browser or one of the apps?  (Which?)

> And GOOD was what the app said in STATUS.

   That shows that your "Internet" status is good, which means that
you're connected to the Internet.  It says little or nothing about your
ReadySHARE storage.

> [...]  As usual, showing actual
> actions with their actual results (error messages, ...) can be more
> helpful than vague descriptions or interpretations.

   Still true.  When your audience comprises non-psychics, things which
you can see easily may remain obscure to your audience.  Unless, of
course, you reveal what you're actually doing, and what actually happens
when you do it.