Need a Gigabit NAS with native USB 2.0 - does it exist?

[Darney76]

Hi! This is my first post here. I've read the stickies and searched through posts, with no luck. I've also tried researching different solutions, online.

Is there some type of simple network hard drive (1TB) or enclosure that gives the ability to access it with gigabit ethernet speeds and provides native USB 2.0 mass storage access? It doesn't even have to be capable of doing that simultaneously (maybe a switchable interface?). The only things I can find so far have a USB port or ports, but they're only for attaching more storage or print sharing.

I want to set this up in my entertainment unit for my media player, which only offers native USB 2.0 connections. I want to be able write files at gigabit speeds to the harddrive, then view/listen to them with the mediaplayer, without having to disconnect and lug the drive to the computer. I've seen various other solutions for doing this with routers and USB to Ethernet adapters, but the transfer speeds max out at 70 Mbits per second. I currently use a 250GB portable drive, which works great, but I want 1TB and a setup where I don't have to move anything. I don't really want to do streaming, either.

Thanks, for any help.

 

[thiggins]

Look at the LaCie Ethernet Disk mini (now in 1 TB)

 

[Darney76]

Thanks, Tim. But from what I've read of this drive, the USB interface uses TCP over network for accessing the drive, so it is not a native USB mass storage interface. I'll look into it and the Iomega Home Media (cheaper and faster, according to this site) a little further.

 

[thiggins]

There are not a lot of choices. The Iomega Home Media Hard Drive doesn't support USB attachment.

There is also the Thecus N5500, for a lot more $.