Readers reply to “cheapest way to network” post

In “What’s the cheapest way to network an external hard drive?” I suggested a fully-functional, zero-cost option: Connect the drive to any PC that’s already on the network, and use the OS’s built-in network sharing function (e.g. Win10’s Give access to/Advanced Sharing/ option) to let others access the drive.

Several readers had good follow-on comments and questions, including this, from Steve Fleckenstein:

• “If supported, see if your home router has a USB connection that accepts a USB hard drive and kill two bugs with one stone. This should put the drive on your network and for Windows machines define the router as the Master Browser, reducing Windows 10 file sharing problems over the network.”

You’re right, Steve — as you say, if your router allows it. Mine, alas — a glorious Verizon/Fios rental — has live USB sockets that can deliver power to attached devices, but cannot pass any data in either direction: They’re deliberately OEM-disabled for data, with no way to turn it on. Grrr.

A reader with the nom-de-web of techViews asked a series of related questions:

• My question would be, if you can do that with a single drive, could you do that with a full laptop? Let’s say I would like to share my laptop with those in the network. Without having to use file/folder sharing, could I just connect the laptop directly to the router via USB and accomplish the same thing? And if so, would that allow the laptop to have access rights to the other computers on the network?

“If you can do that with a single drive, could you do that with a full laptop?” Yes, network sharing can work for any or all PC drives — external, internal, HDD, SSD, DVD, even floppy drives, if you still have ’em! As PC administrator, you can either grant full access to a drive by sharing its root folder (e.g. C:\); or grant selective access to specific folders. You also can set permissions to control which users are allowed to connect; and how many simultaneous connections you’ll allow (to prevent the host PC from bogging down).

“Without having to use file/folder sharing, could I just connect the laptop directly to the router via USB and accomplish the same thing?” No, because a PC’s drives are mediated by its operating system. Normal PC hardware isn’t set up for a drive to be directly accessed via an external connection; or for an external physical connection to bypass the active OS.

For other PCs on the local network to have access to your PC’s files, and for your PC to have access to the other computers on the network, you’d need to set up at least some minimal type of networking, with the PC operating systems involved.

USB networking usually involves some kind of extra hardware. It’s built into some routers and USB hubs (see previous question, above), but if you’re just connecting two PCs , you can use a simple “USB networking cable,” (aka “USB bridging cable,” “USB data transfer cable,” “USB link cable,” etc.; examples). The basic ones have a bit of extra wiring or circuitry to crossover the data signals to the correct pins on a cable with male plugs on both ends. These cables usually require extra software — system drivers and/or separate apps — to work.

More complex cables contain a bit of programmed logic to automate connections under varying circumstances; sometimes doing away with the need for separate software. (Again, some routers and hubs may have this built-in.)

And there are inexpensive USB-to-Ethernet and USB-to-WiFi adapters (examples here and here) that let your PC connect from USB to a wired or wireless ethernet network in one step.

“…Would that allow the laptop to have access rights to the other computers on the network?” Nope, sorry! Once your PCs are networked, you’ll still need to adjust the sharing/permissions on each PC to allow users to access each other’s files. (Info.) There’s just no way around having to set up at least some limited form of file/folder sharing.

But when you’re done, you’ll have full, normal networking, via your USB connection!

Permalink: https://langa.com/?p=2205

COMMENT / QUESTION on THIS ITEM? See the Comment box at bottom of this page!

NEW QUESTION? Ask here!

(Want free notification of new content? Click here!)