Revo as dedicated NAS

steadyeddie · 03 Jan 2013

Hi
I'm looking for some basic networking help please, i'm pretty competent around computers but when it comes to networking it's like doing Algebra!
There are 3 PC's in the house, all on W7, all connecting wirelessly. I also have an Acer Revo which I use as my media center, this is connected to my router through homeplugs and has 2 external HDD's attached to it.
I want to set the Revo up as a dedicated nas so that I can access the media on the HDD's and also use them to store back ups from the other 3 PC's over the air.
All the PC's are in the same homegroup and I have no problem with basic file sharing but I have no idea where to go next to set up the Revo as described.
Any help in simple terms would be much appreciated!!
Thanks
Jeff

Sub Styler · 03 Jan 2013

Make sure the Revo has a static IP to the router and the router has virtual server running the wireless and the lan ports. Then it's just case of sharing the required folder on the Revo and mapping network drives on the other machines to that folder.

steadyeddie · 03 Jan 2013

Sub Styler
Sorry mate but that's all Algebra to me!!
How do I make sure the Revo has a static IP?
How do I set virtual server on the router, it's a BT HH3 if that helps?
When you say 'sharing the required folder' do you mean the drives themselves?
No idea how to map network drives!!

Perhaps I should edit my op to say 'pretty incompetent around computers'!!

Sub Styler · 03 Jan 2013

I use the homehub 2 myself as I can't use the VIOP hub phone with a home hub3.

You will need to access the home hub interface by typing it's IP 192.168.1.254 or in some confirgurations just typing //homehub into the browser works. DHCP will be enabled. You can either set this to manual or leave DHCP mode active as long as your REVO will be either always on or the first device on the network (to prevent another machine being automatically given the IP the revo is going to use manually). I am at work on an XP machine at the moment, cannot remeber if the HH3 allows reserving IP's to MAC address or not.

DHCP allocates IP address' to the machines that connect to the router. It will also allow Manual IP's within the range.

For the REVO right click the network connection view status and click properties. Then change the properties for internet protocol from Automatic to Manual, the default gateway will be the home hub IP address, the subnet mask will be 255.255.255.0 and the ip address you assign should be 192.168.1.xx (you choose xx).

Virtual Server/NAT is automatically enabled on the home hub.

It is not reccomended to share the root of the drive (or the drive itself) for security reasons. Instead put everything you want sharing within a folder on the drive and share the folder (not via homegroup but via the share folder option).

To map a network drive you just set the path to that of the network share and assign it a drive letter.

For more consice detail on mapping network drives see Brinks tutorial here.

A lot to take in but keep poking around and you will find evertything.

steadyeddie · 03 Jan 2013

If I turn DHCP off and set the static IP on the Revo, will I have to set the IP's for all the other devices on the network too?

Sub Styler · 03 Jan 2013

Yes thats right

Sub Styler · 03 Jan 2013

but you xcan set static on ther Revo, and leave DHCP on, Just assign the revo a high number (like 192.168.1.48) and you should have no conflicts

steadyeddie · 03 Jan 2013

Sub Styler said:

but you xcan set static on ther Revo, and leave DHCP on, Just assign the revo a high number (like 192.168.1.48) and you should have no conflicts

But doesnt it have to be the first device on the network, or have I misunderstood that?

steadyeddie · 03 Jan 2013

Sub Styler said:

Yes thats right

And that includes all the mobiles, tablets etc etc??
Is there an easy way round it, say turn DHCP off, set the Revo's static as first device, then turn DHCP on again?
Or is it not that simple?

Sub Styler · 04 Jan 2013

steadyeddie said:

Sub Styler said:

Yes thats right

And that includes all the mobiles, tablets etc etc??
Is there an easy way round it, say turn DHCP off, set the Revo's static as first device, then turn DHCP on again?
Or is it not that simple?

No, just use a high IP address number (e.g. ending in .50) and the hub will allocate IP's normally sequentially or in even or odd sequential numbers, this would allow for at least 24 devices to connect prior to the revo being connected. Check the setting in the hub, it may allow you to reserve the IP address for the Revo with DHCP turned on.