Does Orbi RBK50 support USB Connected hard drives?

[DavidRansier]

I have the latest firmware installed (V1.12.0.18). 

I’ve read a lot of conflicting reports, so its confusing. Does the Orbi RBK50 currently support USB connected hard drives, or should I only connect a NAS hard drive?

Thanks,

David R

[captain_phaser]

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@DavidRansier wrote:

I have the latest firmware installed (V1.12.0.18). 

I’ve read a lot of conflicting reports, so its confusing. Does the Orbi RBK50 currently support USB connected hard drives, or should I only connect a NAS hard drive?

Thanks,

David R

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The Orbi's USB functionality was only just enabled 2 weeks ago and it currently only supports USB connected printers.

[RickWire]

I also have been asking when my orbi would support USB connected drives. Do we have any updates as to when this will happen? Running firmware v2.0.0.74.

[shawnb2]

I'd like to know as well. I recently bought this system figuring as any other router in the last few years that I've used I been able to use it with a USB hard drive to use for Time Machine. This has been a question from what I've been reading for a year. What's going on Netgear? How can this not be a top priority for such a popular system? It's bad enough it's onlt 2.0, but at least give us something. I'm using firmware V2.0.0.74.

[BobDuke]

I did a bit of experimenting as I too read conflicting reports.   

USB thumb drive - worked

USB hard drive - worked

I was able to access (read & write) from Windows 7 and Android devices. 

Drives could be attached to either the router or satellite. 

There may be an issue with the USB port providing adequate power to hard drives.

I did not test with a physically large hard drive,  just smaller, pocket sized units. 

Running 2.1.1.16.

[Rapa97]

But have you been able to access the drive from your PC or Mac for example? How you know the address to access it? Or login info?

[Sundreamer]

Same here, I would like to connect a usb drive for my sonos system (I did this on my old linksys) How can I do that ?? I don't see any option to do it

[overbye]

I'm in the same boat, just installed my new Orbi but wondering how to hook up something for time machine to connect to. There are three of us in the house needing to use this. What is an NAS hard drive and how would it work?

[FURRYe38]

I beleive the USB port is only for printers currently. Something NG is still reviewing or working on I guess.

NAS is a separate device that has from two up to 4 or more drive bays. This unit has built in networking features. Users install hard drives into these units and use this to store there data on. Then connect these devices to there networks and can share out the data using different configurations.

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@overbye wrote:

I'm in the same boat, just installed my new Orbi but wondering how to hook up something for time machine to connect to. There are three of us in the house needing to use this. What is an NAS hard drive and how would it work?

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[Sundreamer]

Fat 32 128gb works to put music for sonos

[overbye]

I wish I knew what that meant

[Sundreamer]

Mean ntfs may not work but fat 32 will

Can’t understand why they don’t support ntfs

[GadgetVirtuoso2]

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@Sundreamer wrote:
Mean ntfs may not work but fat 32 will

Can’t understand why they don’t support ntfs

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Because then they would have to license it from MS, FAT32 is an open standard that requires no licensing. MacOS can't write to an NTFS drive for the same reason without third party software.

[Sundreamer]

well, you may be right but I had a linksys prior the orbi supporting ntfs and no problem to copy large files from a macbookpro on the network.

Fat 32 is outdated, no support for large files.... is exfat also under lisence ? anyway I may be wrong but my old router was perfectly working with ntfs and I am quite sure that it's not so difficult to offer this features to people in compare to the price of the orbi routers.....

this is my opinion but my linksys was 1 third the price of my orbi's

This sayed, I am really happy with the wifi of obi's that's working like a charm.

let's just add support for exfat or ntfs.... (both like fat 32 are Microsoft isn't it ???)

[Andyx]

I have the same problem/question regarding USB file sharing.  It worked great on my WNDR4300 so when I upgraded to the Orbi I was completely shocked to find it did not support the same functionality.  However, I was told it was coming.

I just got off the phone with Orbi support (after an extremely long wait on hold) and was told that file sharing is still not suported. 

I hate to have to downgrade the Orbi, becasue it works well as a wifi router, but I purchased it expecting to have the same file sharing I had on the earlier device.  I don't know how to get Netgear management's attention, but unless the fix this I will never purchase Netgear again.

[FURRYe38]

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Does-Orbi-RBK50-support-USB-Connected-hard-drives/m-p/1591935/...

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@Andyx wrote:

I have the same problem/question regarding USB file sharing.  It worked great on my WNDR4300 so when I upgraded to the Orbi I was completely shocked to find it did not support the same functionality.  However, I was told it was coming.

I just got off the phone with Orbi support (after an extremely long wait on hold) and was told that file sharing is still not suported. 

I hate to have to downgrade the Orbi, becasue it works well as a wifi router, but I purchased it expecting to have the same file sharing I had on the earlier device.  I don't know how to get Netgear management's attention, but unless the fix this I will never purchase Netgear again.

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[Sundreamer]

Well, for the price you pay you get F...

unfair and absurd

[Okipic]

Hey,

do you know the current status of this question? It seems that in August 18, Netgear was planning to add this possibility to connect a USB-HardDrive to Router or Sattelite. Today I cannot find recent news.

Thank you for your help.

Okipic

[FURRYe38]

No information. You might contact NG support and ask about this. 

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@Okipic wrote:

Hey,

do you know the current status of this question? It seems that in August 18, Netgear was planning to add this possibility to connect a USB-HardDrive to Router or Sattelite. Today I cannot find recent news.

Thank you for your help.

Okipic

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[Okipic]

Thank you for your answer. I will do.
Best regards.

[FURRYe38]

Let us know if you find out anything. 

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@Okipic wrote:
Thank you for your answer. I will do.
Best regards.

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