Plusnet Router Shared USB (Samba?)
Glen Walker (2585) 469 posts |
We have a Plusnet router (based on a BT Home Hub I think) that has a USB port which you can plug a drive into and it shows up in MacOS as a network share. I’m unsure if it works in Windows but I’m guessing it would because its probably using some kind of Samba (it shows up right next to my own Linux server that uses Samba). Although the Linux server shows up in OmniClient, the Plusnet hub share doesn’t—does anyone know of a way to access the files from within RISC OS? There doesn’t appear to be any way of configuring the share or USB port from the hub software so I’m stuck with the default settings. I did think about mounting it on the Linux server and then creating an NFS share and using Sunfish but not sure if that would be sensible. I also hoped the upgrade to the latest version of OmniClient might make it show up but alas it does not. |
David Pitt (3386) 1248 posts |
I had one of those, hopeless, apparently responsible for broadband disconnections. Got rid of it. However a USB stick was visible to LanMan88, and probably LanManFS too. The tricky bit was deciding was the what the LanMan Server and Share entries needed to be, the macOS finder gave up those. For LanMan98 :- Server: pnhub1 Share: USB1 For LanManFS I probably had to make a manual connection using the above parameters. I have a TP_LINK Archer VR900 now, excellent kit, and the USB stick works into RISC OS. |
Glen Walker (2585) 469 posts |
Thankfully the Plusnet one has been OK for us so far (and it was free!) but for some reason wont allow the Mac or iPhone to connect so we still have the old BT Hub (which was useless as a broadband modem but OK as a WiFi hotspot) to service the Apple stuff and also act as an extra switch for the Linux server—only annoying thing is it insists on flashing a bright purple light to tell me that the broadband is disconnected even though I’ve gone into the settings and turned the LEDs “off”. I would love to replace the BT Hub WiFi hotspot mashup with an Apple AirPort Time Capsule but think I’ll have to sell a kidney or two before I can afford one of those!
Cool thanks! I had put in the IP address and it didn’t work…didn’t think to try the hostname…will have a go at that tonight.
That looks like an interesting product and its good to know it works with RISC OS! I think a copy of TechWriter is the next thing I’m saving up for though. Shame it doesn’t have 5 ports. I wonder if one of the USB ports could be used with a USB to Ethernet adapter? Its a bit strange in our house in that where the fibre comes in I have 5 Ethernet ports to service the three bedrooms, living room and dining room but nobody does a 5 port router! I currently leave one of the rooms disconnected (not such a big issue because the baby isn’t using a computer yet!) but it would be nice to have them all wired up. I guess by the time the kids are likely to need it nothing will have Ethernet anymore… |
Grahame Parish (436) 469 posts |
My Vigor 2860n has 6 × 1Gb LAN ports and connects to ADSL/VDSL & ethernet on the WAN side. It will also take a 3G/4G USB stick for an alternate WAN route – I only use the VM-supplied router as a modem to connect to cable via the WAN ethernet port. |
Glen Walker (2585) 469 posts |
So no built-in modem? Also does it have a USB port that can show up in RISC OS? For the record I have mine working fine now shared as “PNHub1” and “USB1” – since adding it the first time in !OmniClient it appears to magically show up every time the computer is turned on now, not sure if this is due to updating to 5.24 from 5.23 or if its saved a setting somewhere? |
Grahame Parish (436) 469 posts |
Not a built-in DOCSIS3 modem for Virgin cable, but it does have ADSL & VDSL built-in. |
Glen Walker (2585) 469 posts |
Ah I didn’t appreciate the difference! We live out in the bundu where cable broadband is mere myth and legend. I will put it on my list of things to consider…although by the time I get around to choosing I’m sure we will have moved house and it wont be an issue! |
Grahame Parish (436) 469 posts |
Draytek Vigor routers aren’t cheap, but they are less likely to have some of the security failings that much of the consumer market routers suffer from. Of course, they aren’t immune, but when issues do occur they have been very quick to offer a patch. |