Turning your Linksys router into a network storage server (NAS) is possible if your router has a USB port that supports external storage. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Check Your Router’s Compatibility
- Ensure your Linksys router has a USB port.
- Check if the router firmware supports USB storage sharing (consult the user manual or Linksys website).
- If your router doesn’t natively support USB storage, you may need to install custom firmware (like OpenWrt or DD-WRT) for additional features.
Step 2: Connect a USB Drive or External Hard Drive
- Format your storage drive (if needed) to FAT32, NTFS, or exFAT (check the router’s supported formats).
- Plug the USB drive into the router’s USB port.
Step 3: Enable Network Storage on Your Router
-
Access the Linksys Router Web Interface:
- Open a web browser and go to
http://192.168.1.1
(or your router’s IP address). - Log in with your admin username and password.
- Open a web browser and go to
-
Enable USB Storage:
- Navigate to External Storage or Storage Settings.
- Locate USB Storage or File Sharing options.
- Enable Media Server (optional) if you want to stream files.
-
Set Up Network Access:
- Choose Share Mode (SMB, FTP, or DLNA).
- Assign user access permissions if required.
- Note the network address (e.g., \192.168.1.1 or smb://192.168.1.1).
Step 4: Access Your Network Storage
From Windows:
- Press
Win + R
, type\\192.168.1.1
, and press Enter. - The shared USB storage should appear.
- You can map it as a network drive by right-clicking and selecting "Map Network Drive."
From Mac:
- Open Finder and click Go > Connect to Server.
- Type
smb://192.168.1.1
and click Connect.
Optional: Remote Access
- Some Linksys routers support FTP or cloud storage, allowing access from outside your network.
- Configure Dynamic DNS (DDNS) and port forwarding if needed.