From elsewhere...

[susandennis]

This entry was posted on Google+ and automagically ported here. All of it, including maybe links and photos can be found at this link (https://plus.google.com/110340962945642622580/posts/9wCkPFbio6q)

***Random Tech Question
My new router (Linksys E4200 v2) has NAS function. So I could plug in an external drive and access it from any computer on the network.
But, I already have an external drive attached to each of two computers on the network. I can access and use each of them from any other computer on the network.
What does attaching one to the router buy me that's different than what I have now?

Comments

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

Near as I can tell, the big savings is, if you have a drive you want to use from any computer, without having another computer always on, you can plug it in there.

[susandennis]

oh, that makes total sense. i hadn't thought about the not always on thing. good thinking. thanks!

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

Nod. I have a research&TV computer (I use it to run HyperV VMs and to watch Netflix) always on, plus my desktop, and if I needed a drive hooked up, it'd be on one of those. It took me some time to realize that a 4-1 computer ratio (2 PCs, a laptop, and a Dell convertible table)might be a bit above the average for other folks, and therefore, they might need stuff like that :-).

also

[henare.livejournal.com]

routers are less complicated things than general-purpose computers (so if you do something that screws up windows you may not be able to get to the data on the disk that would ordinarily be served, but once your router is set up you rarely have to mess with it again).