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Need help with WNDR3700v3 and Seagate Slim Backup Plus 1TB
I own a WNDR3700v3 and am trying to use a just purchased Seagate Slim Backup Plus 1TB, USB. The WNDR3700v3 has the latest software (V1.0.0.38_1.0.31), and the Seagate does not require any drivers. I...
Router's main purpose is routing so users can share Internet and files between themselves. Likes of USB port or eSATA port
is just a secondary thing. USB 3 has shielding problem and known to have inherent noise problems. When some people call USB
drive attached to router a NAS, I have to wonder. Real NAS is a computer on it's own with it's own OS which performs many
different tasks. I just leave 64GB flash drive on USB port as a scratch pad. I have Synology NAS running 24/7 .
It does not mean non-listed drives won't work. There will more which will work, If one want to use a USB attached drive as storage
facility better have self contained 2 bay enclosure which will do Raid 0/1 or JBOD set up. I had 3700 LONG time ago. I favorite f/w
for it was Trondah's OpenWRT with Luci GUI. I go thru average 2 routers a year getting newer ones for testing and review at
no cost to me. Every one of them worked. Some are easier to manage and control, some are little more difficult. But all worked for me.
Thanks for the input. When I bought it, it simply stated that it supports USB drives and listed no restrictions on type of drive or make/models. Sad state when it only supports 13 models they did not indicate that in product description or box.... and not even common models at that. Similarly, ithe product info said that it supported media sharing but after buying and installing, I found out that it will not support it out of a NAS drive just the USB drive which it appears is not really supported either..
The router aspect has been good, but all of the extra features it touted and I paid for just seem to be a failure. Feeling misled. Guess If I need to buy something different to support media server I need to find another manufacturer that is upfront on what it really does and what it supports.
Anyone looking to buy a used limited function router? lol
Router's main purpose is routing so users can share Internet and files between themselves. Likes of USB port or eSATA port
is just a secondary thing. USB 3 has shielding problem and known to have inherent noise problems. When some people call USB
drive attached to router a NAS, I have to wonder. Real NAS is a computer on it's own with it's own OS which performs many
different tasks. I just leave 64GB flash drive on USB port as a scratch pad. I have Synology NAS running 24/7 .
It does not mean non-listed drives won't work. There will more which will work, If one want to use a USB attached drive as storage
facility better have self contained 2 bay enclosure which will do Raid 0/1 or JBOD set up. I had 3700 LONG time ago. I favorite f/w
for it was Trondah's OpenWRT with Luci GUI. I go thru average 2 routers a year getting newer ones for testing and review at
no cost to me. Every one of them worked. Some are easier to manage and control, some are little more difficult. But all worked for me.
Thanks, VE6CGX
I probably was not clear. I have a WD NAS - ethernet connected to router. That is working well. The USB drive is not a NAS drive, just a drive that connects to other devices using USB. in the case of the router I purchased (WNDR3700v3), it touted Media Server and USB Drive support. When I installed the router, I found the limitation that it cannot serve up media from a NAS drive, only from the USB drive. For years, I used a thumb drive which worked but was very limited for media. I bought the USB drive (seagate) and it locks up the router after several minutes od indexing the media. So one frustration is that these limitations existed, but was not disclosed.
If other drives are supported, I was (and still am) hoping that there is simply a configuration change or formating change that I can do. It is also a bit frustrating that the list of "compatable drives" is so limited, and possibly not maintained so I cannot tell what is or what is not supported. And the only support is through the forum.
I am a simple consumer and dont have multiple routers sent to me for free. I have to buy one and then make due with the hidden limitations. However, if you have any advice on a wireless router that will serve media off a NAS device (not a USB drive) and is consumer friendly, I would be happy to listen! USB drive support is not a requirement for me (heck, preferred not to have), just was a requirement for this router for media server.
If you have one that you're done testing and want to send it over for free, even better! <grin>
Again, Thanks, VE6CGX
Here I see so many routers and what not quite old, couple generations past on technology evolution. On the Netgear line up one should be considered minimum is probably R7000 for now. Anything below should be off the list as far as I am conccerned. I have quite a few buddies still
actively working in the field but I am long retired after 40 odd years in the related field. I am on the worng side of 70 closing on 80, LOL! R7000
has a few 3rd party f/w choices. Xvortex, dd-wrt, Shibby's ., etc.
Thanks, VE6CGX . I appreciate the thoughts. And I am not far behind you in the age!