External USB HDD into Router via Adapter?

[dgower2]

I have an external USB HDD plugged into PC 1; I have Router. So PC 2 can see the external HDD, while PC 1 is off, I was wondering if I got a USB-RJ45 adapter and plugged the HDD into my router, would it show as a network drive?

I'm guessing it will not since there's nothing in the external HDD to maintain an IP or MAC address, but wanted to throw the idea out there.

I know about NAS, but an adapter is much cheaper.

TIA

Dan

 

[Nodsu]

As you already said, an adapter cannot do this. There are NAS devices out there that don't have internal hard drives at all and only share USB (and printers). Or, get a NAS box that comes without hard drives and supports USB.

A USB switch would work too - you can switch the USB device between two computers. Just take care not to switch over without "safely removing" the disk.

 

[dgower2]

Thanks for the response!