Any Network Drive (NAS) I can connect to from outside home network?

Question

I am looking for a Network drive (so I can share date between laptop and a desktop computer, but it would be useful if I also could access the data from outside the home network (like when on holiday and connected via hotspot). Do you any of any products that offer this functionality ?

I need to get access to the network drive as a drive in Windows so I can access mail file from my mail program (Thunderbird in this case)

I am not after a solution stored the data somewhere else (gDrive etc.) than on the network drive.

I a not after a solution where the mail is moved to a mail server outside the home network (so no gmail, etc).

I am not after a solution where any of the computers are switched on all the time.

I am not after a FTP, GoToMyPC, PC Anywhere solution (but a solution where I get a drive in Windows that is mapped to the NAS and please don't tell me this is just about some settings, tell me which settings and which NAS product you seen it working with

I am not after a answer about how to establish a network for the laptop and desktop (this will be done via a wireless router)

In short read the question.

For clarification, I haven't decided on a NAS yet, so I am open to all cosumer priced NAS.

Answer 1

I understand your dillemma. I do have a NAS, Buffalo 250 GB Linkstation, and I love it. Im a student and I need to get my access my files both from school and home. I do not know what kind of NAS you have, that information would be helpful, or if you are looking for one, Id go with the linkstation, great reviews on newegg and cnet, and it only cost about 164.00 dollars after I found an online coupon. ANYWAYS, how do you connect to the home computer from outside? Fairly simply. Get your NAS system first, install the software that came with it. Most software programs now are so simple that anyone shouldnt have an issue. During set up it will set your IP for the NAS device. Also, the software will create the NAS device as an FTP or HTTP server (its a feature of NAS usually, from what I read, FTP is better and more common). THere will be an option to set a static IP, find it and do it. That means your NAS device will always have the same IP and won't change every 3-10 minutes like some Internet providers have theirs do. From a remote computer you can put in the IP and presto, your NAS device. I know you say you arent interested in "FTP" however that is how NAS devices do it, so if you are looking for something else, then dont buy an NAS and keep looking for this magically device. Feel free to ask me any questions, I know it was a long time and a lot of research before I settled on my NAS.

Answer 2

This isn't a hardware issue, at least not a NAS one. You can accomplish everything you've talked about through software/setting permissions. For home, I would suggest a home network to link the two computers. You can use a crossover cable, install a router or a switch... a dozen ways to do it.
For remote access, all you have to do is set that up. XP has remote desktop, there is PC anywhere and GoToMyPC, both of which work well...
You can use any hard drive you wish for this. It's a pretty simple fix.

Answer 3

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833164201

Just add a hard drive. This will let you access the drive via ftp. It will connect to your network like any other node; via RJ45.

You can also access this as a network drive. Just map it using windows mapping function. Use an IP instead of the name. Foward all traffic for your specified port coming in to your NAS.

Answer 4

You can network your home pc's using simple networking gear supllied by companies such as netgear, which can be bought at walmart for example, or best buy or circuit city if you need a little advice as to which one will work best for you. For accessing your computer from outside your home you'll need a program such as the one offered by symantec; called pc anywhere. There are shareware versions as well, which I belive can be found on PCWorld's website.

Answer 5

Why do no longer you basically purchase a USB exterior force which you will plug in & out of any computing gadget? can no longer say I easily have seen a networkable exterior HD on the industry - no longer something I easily have been finding for nevertheless so i would be incorrect.

Answer 6

If you've got Gmail you could use the new Gdrive facility.

Some information about it here:-

http://viksoe.dk/code/gmail.htm

:)x

Answer 7

follow as above