How can I share an external HDD between laptop and desktop PC?

Question

How can I share an external HDD between laptop and desktop PC?

Answer 1

Yes, if the HDD has a network interface (many do, and some even have wireless). By connecting the HDD to your router then it can be accessed from both computers as a network drive.

Answer 2

Yes, if it has two ports. If it has a firewire IEEE 1394 port and a USB port then both computers can use it provided that at least one computer has a firewire IEEE 1394 port.

Answer 3

You need to use a NAS (network attached storange) enclosure. You attach it to your wireless router by ethernet, and then any computer attached to your network will be able to access it.



This is one for example http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1000GB-1TB-Network-Nas-Lan-Server-External-USB-Drive_W0QQitemZ290340212565QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_HardDrives_RL?hash=item4399a00f55&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14



Another: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/158613



If you have a XBOX 360/ PS3, you can get a NAS with uPnp support which will be able to stream music to them. If you have a recent TV that supports DNLA, then you can also get a NAS which has a DNLA server built in to stream music/ video directly to your TV.



This one sounds pretty good http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1Tb-Buffalo-LS-CH10TL-Linkstation-Live-with-Gigabit-Ethernet-Bit-Torrent-DLNA-Certified