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Since USBs are disabled on Xfinity modems/routers, how to add network storage?
Many routers have USB inputs that external drives can be plugged into, so that devices on the network can access them. Our XB3 has USB inputs that are charge-only and have data throughput disabled, so there isn't a way to add storage in the way I just mentioned.
It seems that these are the only ways to do this (with drawbacks in parens):
- set up own NAS and connect via LAN/ethernet to XB3 (cost, probably overdoing it for my needs)
- set up own file server on network (needs another desktop/raspberry pi lying around which we don't have, nor could we program the latter)
- use paid cloud-based subscription (we have lots of data to store on the cloud and upload/download speeds are prohibitively slow)
- buy cloud-based storage device, like a WD MyCloud connected via wifi home network/XB3 (cost, also these are meant for storage and not file serving/won't work unless there is internet connectivity)
- replace XB3 with own router (account holder wants to continue renting the XB3 with the privilege of having Comcast support)
I just have a few TBs of work data and movies that I'd like to access from my laptop around the house. My solution #6 is to buy a second wifi router to connect to the XB3 and attach my external drive to that, but I'm not sure if that works?
XfinityBrie
Administrator
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669 Messages
4 years ago
Hi @user_bd3f14! Thanks for joining us here on the forums. =] This is definitely a situation we don't run into too often, and all the options you listed would work -- though as you mentioned, with certain drawbacks. You can place the XB3 into bridge mode and use your own router, which may be a little cost heavy on the forefront (depending on the router you go with) but could be beneficial in the long term with custom networking set-ups like this one. I'll drop a link with how to set-up bridge mode if you opt to go down that route: Using Bridge Mode On Your Wireless Gateway
While you can absolutely plug a secondary router into the XB3 while having the XB3 continue to broadcast it's internal router, you may run into performance conflicts if the two networks don't agree with each other.
I hope this helps!
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EG
Expert
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108.2K Messages
4 years ago
@user_bd3f14
The easiest thing to do is to just use an ethernet connection. Not sure why you would consider that to be "overdoing it " ?
(edited)
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EG
Expert
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108.2K Messages
4 years ago
@ComcastBrie wrote:
you may run into performance conflicts if the two networks don't agree with each other.
It's not really that they "don't agree with each other", it's called an inherent *double NAT* condition. It can be Googled for its potential pitfalls.
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Andyr1
Gold Problem Solver
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7.9K Messages
4 years ago
You can typically disable DHCP on a 'secondary' router, and it will then act like a switch. Do NOT connect anything to the WAN port. Only use the regular ports.
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