Wireless NAS drives (That aren't routers)

grumpythedwarff · Mar 12, 2013

Hi,

I'm looking for a NAS drive that connects to my existing wireless network via 802.11n. It cannot connect via ethernet or USB to any other device as I want it to be in the loft where it is unlikely to be stolen in the event of a burglary.

I thought something like this would be easy to find, but I can only find drives that either plug directly into a router or that are routers themselves (like a time capsule). I don't want to have to go through the pain of building and maintaining a custom file server, but it would appear this is currently my only option.

Could anyone suggest any relevant products that would help me? All I really want is an HDD with a wireless interface rather than USB or Ethernet...

robbieduncan · Mar 12, 2013

I don't have one by Synology make a range of "Air" NAS solutions like: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009MM4U...and=937625496403052362&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=

FreakinEurekan · Mar 12, 2013

You can also use any Ethernet NAS plugged into a wifi gaming adapter: http://amzn.com/B008CV8ST4

waw74 · Mar 12, 2013

or you could get a NAS with wired etherent and an airport express (or something similar) to connect it to your wireless network.

maflynn · Mar 12, 2013

waw74 said:
or you could get a NAS with wired etherent and an airport express (or something similar) to connect it to your wireless network.

This is what I do. Since a NAS has to be plugged into a router, my airport extreme allows my computers to connect wirelessly to the net and to the NAS. Speeds are down quite a bit when I connect to my Qnap wirelessly as opposed to gigabit ethernet but that's to be expected.

grumpythedwarff · Mar 12, 2013

The synology is the sort of thing I am after, but its far too expensive.
The gaming adapter could work, but would need to be an 802.11n version.
It seems to me that there is simply a gap in the market here...

drsox · Mar 12, 2013

grumpythedwarff said:
The synology is the sort of thing I am after, but its far too expensive.
The gaming adapter could work, but would need to be an 802.11n version.
It seems to me that there is simply a gap in the market here...

What sort of NAS do you want and how much do you want to spend ?
If you could have a wireless connected USB drive in the attic would that suffice ?

robbieduncan · Mar 12, 2013

grumpythedwarff said:
The synology is the sort of thing I am after, but its far too expensive.
The gaming adapter could work, but would need to be an 802.11n version.
It seems to me that there is simply a gap in the market here...

I actually think it's pretty cheap for what it offers. Sure it's not a single-disk, single purpose device and that's what makes it cost more.

There are other, dumber, options out there:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/LaCie-301932EK-Wireless-Space-1TB/dp/B0041HSCLM for example.

balamw · Mar 12, 2013

Also note that wireless NAS tends to be much lower performance than wired NAS. You can usually close to double your throughput simply by wiring the NAS to your WAP/router.

If performance is important at all route some Cat5 into the loft and connect it that way. Then you could get away with something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Personal-Cloud-Storage-Network-Attached/dp/B00499DMRQ/

B

waw74 · Mar 12, 2013

you can get a refurb airport express for $69 from apple.

it's got wireless N,
and if you wanted since it will be in the ceiling, you could mount an amp and some ceiling mount speakers close to it, and have it do double duty.

FreakinEurekan · Mar 12, 2013

grumpythedwarff said:
The synology is the sort of thing I am after, but its far too expensive.
The gaming adapter could work, but would need to be an 802.11n version.
It seems to me that there is simply a gap in the market here...

Plenty of 802.11n gaming adapters out there. I don't see it as a gap in the market; quite the opposite. By limiting yourself to only NAS devices with built-in wireless (rather than just using an adapter) you're excluding a ton of good products with features you may not get if you focus on only solutions with integrated wifi.

blueroom · Mar 12, 2013

The single bay Synology like the DS112j supports a handful of USB WiFi adapters.

Another faster option might be a pair Ethernet over power adapters.

grumpythedwarff · Mar 13, 2013

Hadn't thought of powerline, that may be the best of both worlds.

Ifti · Mar 13, 2013

grumpythedwarff said:
Hadn't thought of powerline, that may be the best of both worlds.

They work pretty well. I have reviewed a set from WD in my youtube channel in the past, and they worked just like a normal Ethernet wired connection

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