Connecting a DIY HexOS machine directly via ethernet into my PC, is this possible?

[wvica]

Still learning about NAS servers in general, but I'm potentially looking to build my first NAS though I'm still not sure of some of the finer details; I'm quite familiar with hardware but not so much on the software.

All I want to do is have a storage server for all my video work and general backups, but I have poor internet at my parents house and want to avoid a network bottleneck as much as possible in the meantime. It seems on typical NAS units it is possible to connect directly into a device via ethernet using it's IP address, but is this possible to achieve on a DIY NAS through HexOS?

Was considering HexOS because it seemed easy to use for a noob like me with minimal compromise and the ability to expand my storage capacity fairly easily, but bouldn't find anything regarding whether it's even possible to do a direct ethernet connection from desktop to desktop.

[PsychoWards]

Hey,

A NAS is a Network Attached Storage, so the goal of it is to have it connected to the network and not just a single device else it would use an USB connection or sth. Similar. 🙂 

You can connect your PC directly to the server, but that is not the intended use case and requires some setup. The Internet connection also does not play a role in this case, the only important thing is the internal network and as long as you have a cable connection, the internal network should be fast enough.

The recommended way in your use case is to connect your NAS and PC to the network instead of each other directly. If you have multiple ethernet ports in your wall outlet you can connect both devices separately, if you have only 1 port, you can add a switch, and then connect both PC and NAS to this switch. This way, every device on the local network (PCs, Smartphones, TVs, TV Media Player etc.) can access the NAS for backups and reading/streaming.

[JoshuaGS]

I have a very similar situation, I want to use an old PC to make my first NAS for backing up important files from my Windows Desktop automatically (daily). I'm also new to NAS servers so I like the idea of using HEX OS for it's ease of use. I currently still live at University, so I imagine since I don't have any access to their router or admin privileges for the WIFI or internet that setting it up through a network connection like I would at home would be very difficult. It would be adequate for me to just connect to the NAS via a wired connection for now but before investing in Hex OS I would want to make sure this is possible. 

[PsychoWards]

First of all, yes it's possible to connect both PC and Server via Ethernet cable but you have to setup everything yourself (static IP address) and share your Internet from another NIC or WiFi to your server.

However, University Networks tend to be very restrictive, I'm not sure that the Hexos Dashboard will detect the server and you might not be able to use Hexos but only the Truenas GUI.

I am also uncertain if you are allowed to hook up a server to their network or if you want to do this, because depending on how you configure it, everyone on the network might be able to reach it.

[Sonic]

1 hour ago, PsychoWards said:

First of all, yes it's possible to connect both PC and Server via Ethernet cable but you have to setup everything yourself (static IP address) and share your Internet from another NIC or WiFi to your server.

However, University Networks tend to be very restrictive, I'm not sure that the Hexos Dashboard will detect the server and you might not be able to use Hexos but only the Truenas GUI.

I am also uncertain if you are allowed to hook up a server to their network or if you want to do this, because depending on how you configure it, everyone on the network might be able to reach it.

But you can always give it a try 😀

[PsychoWards]

31 minutes ago, Sonic said:

But you can always give it a try 😀

And keep us posted 🙂