Not sure if this is going to work...

[LifeIsCheap]

Hi guys and gals,

Here's the deal. I currently run a 'b' wireless network at home which is used by my iBook and my Tosh laptop. I store all my movies, photos and mp3s on an external drive which I can plug into either machine. Trouble is that I don't want to leave a laptop powered up and running all the time so that I can always access the external drive. I also want the flexibility of being able to easily move laptops around the apartment (otherwise I would have bought towers right?).

Well browsing around, I came across this Netgear WGT634U wireless 'storage' router. Now it looks like I can plug my external drive into the back of this thing and access it remotely. The manual says that it uses Microsoft Networking to make the drive available on the LAN. Will I be able to connect to it using the iBook (I'm running the latest version of Panther)? It mentions Macs but only tells you how to access files using the web browser. That would be no good for iTunes!

Second and final question is that I currently have a Netgear DG824M wireless (802.11b)/adsl modem/router. The Netgear WGT634U above doesn't have a modem built in. Can I utilise just the adsl modem part of the DG824M and plug it into the WGT634U to save me buying a dedicated modem?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Ganymede]

Well, I think I can answer part of your question.

You should easily be able to continue using the DSL modem/router/WAP you have now as just your modem. Somewhere in the configuration of the thing should be an option to turn off the wireless signal and the router functions and simply act as a modem. At this point connect its output to your new wireless router's "broadband modem" port and it should all work just fine. Also, since they're both Netgear items, Netgear tech support should be able to help you if you have any difficulties.

As for the hard drive part, I can only guess here. If the router sets up the drive as if it were a computer on your windows file sharing workgroup, then you'll have no issues. However, since I can't actually know how their router functions, I would be wary and possibly call tech support before buying.

 

[LifeIsCheap]

Well, I think I can answer part of your question.

You should easily be able to continue using the DSL modem/router/WAP you have now as just your modem. Somewhere in the configuration of the thing should be an option to turn off the wireless signal and the router functions and simply act as a modem. At this point connect its output to your new wireless router's "broadband modem" port and it should all work just fine. Also, since they're both Netgear items, Netgear tech support should be able to help you if you have any difficulties.

As for the hard drive part, I can only guess here. If the router sets up the drive as if it were a computer on your windows file sharing workgroup, then you'll have no issues. However, since I can't actually know how their router functions, I would be wary and possibly call tech support before buying.

Thanks Ganymede. I'll give Netgear a call tomorrow and see if it's going to do what I want. Thanks for your advice.