Setting up your NAS for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
Setting up your NAS for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
Moved into my dorm room today, I have a NAS set up (shared via Windows shared folder) connected to Ethernet. There's a switch and a router in my room, the router is plugged into the switch. Quite a novice at networks so I'm probably asking a very dumb question. Sorry in advance. But, since the router is plugged into the same switch shouldn't I be able to access shared folders over Wifi as well? I can access them over Ethernet just fine but the NAS doesn't show up on wifi. Do I need a wifi card in the NAS? Or have I just configured something wrong? Should I just ask my school's IT guy? Gigabyte GA-D525TUD motherboard, using Realtek onboard Ethernet + 20 year old Intel gigabit card Not sure of switch or router model. I can't reach them to read the labels.
I believe a diagram of your network configuration would be helpful. If your router's WAN port connects to a wall-mounted network port and your NAS is linked to the router's LAN port, you won't see it unless you're also connected to the router internally—either via its LAN ports or WiFi. This arrangement makes the campus network function like the outside Internet at home; you can't access internal resources without knowing your external IP address and enabling port forwarding through the router.
It seems the device likely uses a WAP connection rather than a router. It has only one Ethernet port, which is an internal one, and it appears to convert a wired network into a wireless one. The white cable enters through a conduit, connects to a switch, and the internal box (possibly WAP) is linked there. Another Ethernet cable goes back through the wall, possibly to a camera or another area.
I can't see any model number on the back, but it appears to be an Aerohive product. They do offer access points, and there seems to be some activity on that line with blinking switch lights—no need to disconnect just yet.
Do you own the switch and access point, or is it managed by the school? This suggests a controlled wireless network setup. Your ability to connect wired clients depends on how the network is configured—otherwise, your NAS won’t detect your presence on the same subnet. Try pinging your NAS from the WiFi to confirm.
It has a username and password, yet no one here even remembers theirs. I believe I’m okay there. The system uses Windows 7, but I’ve made the best of the patches available.