Is it possible to share a HD wirelessly without internet

[erblo]

I'm looking to share an external hard drive with multiple other computers but there is no internet access. My first thought was an ad-hoc network, but it seems like that the network may disappear if others disconnect.

Any other options here?

[bigbearbear]

You don't need the Internet if the computers are connected to each other using a local area network (LAN). The easiest would be to make the external drive a shared drive on one of the computers and the rest of them can access it that way.

[the86d]

Use an old router that someone has from their old provider (just sitting around their garage), give them $10, and most will function for a DHCP server (give devices an address so they can talk on a martian address, and most have wireless built in. Be aware that Wireless is typically really slow unless someone shelled out for 802.11n, but prices are getting as low as 802.11g now a days (but then it would be less than fast, rather than slow ).

[jaandrade3rd]

Yes, it is possible. The Seagate GoFlex Mobile Wireless Storage is basically a hard drive with its own wifi. My family used this to watch movie and stuff on seperate iPads while driving around Greece last week.

[erblo]

thanks guys. Sorry I forgot to add that it would have to be wireless.

It sounds like this DHCP server may be the way to go. So would I be able to buy a router, connect it to a computer, set it up as a DHCP server and connect the hard drive to the router, thus giving all computers access to that hard drive?

[the86d]

eBay search for NAS.

I would get a brand name one, but for me I would stay away from WesternDigital, or MAXTOR devices, as I have seen more of those die than all others. I say NAS chassis, and a Seagate (w/5 year warranty) that you throw in yourself. If you get a wired one, all you have to do is have a wireless router to make it wireless (assuming it has ethernet ports), is plug it in to a wireless router...

Hell if you have an old computer (that is a non-Dell, non-eMachines, non-other-proprietary machine that will take more than one HDD) you could just learn a bit of Linux, and RAID that trash and in the event of a single (or multiple, depending on what raid level) drive failure you still could access/save data on the RAID setup. Just make sure to do backups of anything, as any data that you don't have in at least two places, is data that you don't care about...

[JDay]

You can buy network hard drives. Just plug them into your router and set them up for sharing and you'll be good to go.

[stilly]

thanks guys. Sorry I forgot to add that it would have to be wireless.

It sounds like this DHCP server may be the way to go. So would I be able to buy a router, connect it to a computer, set it up as a DHCP server and connect the hard drive to the router, thus giving all computers access to that hard drive?

It is a little more complicated then that. But, No. you can't.

This is how it works, DHCP is a piece of software, a service, a protocol and since I just contradicted myself twice I meant to say that it is a service. A router performs this service, It ROUTES things, in this case it will assign all computers connected to it (that are set to act as a dhcp client) an IP address. You need this IP address to get on the net. But stop there, you are talking about your local network, local meaning in your immediate area, like a house or room or apartment. Really what you want to do is look for a WIRELESS or WIFI NAS. NAS is network attached storage. THEY can be VERY expensive but they usually run about $300+ empty for an almost decent one. You buy it and then buy the hard drives to put inside it. AND YES, the SEAGATE goflex falls into this category I think.

http://www.amazon.com/LaCie-Wireless-Ethernet-Attached-301932/sim/B0044WX0K2/2

Have a start there and look at that stuff. If you know little about computers it might be a bit confusing for you so tread carefully.

For more detail, a NAS is a BOX with a motherboard and linux OS built into the motherboard that when turned on boots up, gives itself an IP adress or already has it assigned and allows folks to access it however they please. I am being VERY loosey goosey right now but this is the gist of it. Just remember this, if you want wireless, it can be hacked from outside your walls usually so that is something to keep in mind. Good luck and have fun shopping, hurry up before amazon charges you tax.


BTW, do not buy ANYTHING that says it is Western Digital.