Adding a HDD to the WLAN

Installing and Using OpenWrt Network and Wireless Configuration
1

Hi all
I have a WLAN by a TP-LINK MR600, connected to Internet by a ILIAD SIM. It doesn't have a USB port, then I would like to add a USB HDD (with external power) to the network by a TP-LINK TL-WR 1043ND v2 I already have, making a simple NAS. The 1043 has installed
OpenWrt 19.07.2 r10947-65030d81f3 / LuCI openwrt-19.07 branch git-20.057.55219-13dd17f
I'm trying, but it doesn't work...

I have associated my existing network and openwrt went in Client mode. Is it right?
I can access to the 1043 by LAN on 192.168.1.3, but I can't access by WiFi...

May you help me?
Thanks
Gianluca

P.s.: Ooops... I tried changing category, but I only added the right one! How can I delete the "Installing"?

2

Now I'm trying connecting the two devices by wired LAN. I can access 1043 by MR600 WiFi network deactivating 1043 WiFi, but I don't see the HDD...

3

Uhmm... I see I have to add some packages...
Do I have to compile them or can I find something ready to use?
I'm thinking to come back to the original 1043 firmware... I installed openwrt because I had to do something of a bit complex, but it should be ok for only adding a HDD by LAN o WLAN...

4

I think you should slow down and go one step at a time...

If you can connect both routers using a wire, do it; it's faster and more reliable.

Now, the 1043 should be configured as a dumb access point. There is a guide explaining how to do this. Do not forget to assign a fixed IP address for it on the main router: https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/dumbap

Next step is to be able to see the HDD from the 1043. You will need to install some packages and configure them, but there is also a guide for that: https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/storage/usb-drives-quickstart

Finally, you can follow yet another guide and learn how to share the drive: https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/services/nas/usb-storage-samba-webinterface

Hope this helps!

1 Like
5

Thanks! :slight_smile:
In the meantime, I reverted to original firmware (I've had to use the unbrick by TFTP Server), but:

  1. If the 1043 is powered (with WiFi OFF!), the laptop can't access Internet via WiFi! I've done many tests, but I didn't understand why!
  2. I can't access HDD: I've read that original firmware should work with NTFS up to 2TB, but many people say that it doesn't work! The solution is a 3rd-party firmware...

In the next days I'll try your hints.

Thank you very much
Gianluca

6

You cannot have two DHCP servers on the same networks, or two routers with the same IP address.

1 Like
7

That's right.
MR600 is 192.168.1.1;
TL-WR1043ND is 192.168.1.3.