Set Up a Media and File Server with Linksys Smart Wi-Fi
Remote Access to Your Files with Linksys Routers
Modern Linksys routers incorporate a File Server capability. This functionality enables users to connect a USB drive and gain access to its contents from any location.
Consequently, your collection of preferred films, songs, and images will always be within reach, regardless of your geographical position.
Setting Up Remote Access
Upon successful configuration, remote access to your media files is facilitated through Linksys' "Smart Wi-Fi" interface.
This eliminates the requirement for a dedicated, desktop-based server to manage your files.
Functionality and Cost
While not as comprehensively equipped as a complete home server solution, the File Server feature offers substantial utility.
The primary cost associated with this functionality is simply the price of a USB drive, making it a cost-effective solution.
- Access your media from anywhere.
- No need for a separate server.
- Cost-effective solution using a USB drive.
This provides a convenient method for accessing personal files remotely.
Preparing Your Hard Drive: A First Step
Initially, you will require either an external hard drive or a USB flash drive. Additionally, gather the media files – movies, music, or photographs – you intend to share.
Consider this related information: What is the optimal file system for your USB drive?
Linksys routers demonstrate compatibility exclusively with drives utilizing either the FAT32 or NTFS file systems. Therefore, verifying your drive’s format is crucial. Employ NTFS if you plan to store files exceeding 4GB in size.
Begin by connecting the drive to your computer and identifying it within Windows' File Explorer. Subsequently, right-click the drive’s icon and select "Properties" from the context menu.
The drive’s current file system, used for partitioning its volumes, will be displayed in the area shown below. This information is essential for ensuring compatibility.
If the drive already employs a suitable file system, proceed to the next section. However, if reformatting is necessary, right-click the drive again and choose the "Format" option. Please note that formatting will irrevocably erase all data on the drive.
From the subsequent drop-down menu, select either "FAT32" or "NTFS" as the desired file system.
Populating Your Drive with Media Content
With the drive now formatted, the next step involves transferring your desired movies, music, and photos for sharing via the server. Files can be moved from your computer to the flash drive simply by dragging and dropping them within File Explorer, as illustrated with the example file "SampleVideo.mp4".
Further Reading: A Guide to Converting Video Files with Handbrake
Prior to copying any files, it’s crucial to verify compatibility with the intended playback device. For instance, a .mov file may not be playable on an Android device due to unsupported file types. Likewise, .flv movies are often incompatible with iPhones.
Ensuring Media Format Compatibility
To resolve format issues, consider converting your media files to a universally supported format. Our comprehensive guide details the process of converting media files to ensure they are playable on your desired devices.
Confirming compatibility beforehand prevents frustration and ensures a seamless media experience across all your devices. This proactive step streamlines the process of enjoying your content on the server.
Connecting Your Drive to the Linksys Router
After your drive has been populated with your desired media files, connect it to the rear panel of your Linksys router. Subsequently, access your Smart Wi-Fi dashboard by navigating to "http://www.linksyssmartwifi.com" using your preferred internet browser.
Log in utilizing the credentials established during your router's initial setup. Should you lack an existing account, select the "Don't have an account?" link, positioned directly beneath the login form.
Drive Recognition and Initial View
Provided the USB drive is correctly detected, a notification window similar to the one depicted below should appear.
This widget displays the drive's available storage capacity and indicates the operational status of the media and FTP servers.
Accessing External Storage Management
Click the "Manage External Storage" button to proceed to the overview screen, as illustrated below.
Overview of Access Methods
From this screen, you can monitor the status of various methods for accessing the drive, including the Media Server functionality.
Here, you will be able to view the status of all the different ways to access the drive.
Accessing Files on Your Network Through Folder Sharing
A straightforward method for file access involves utilizing folder sharing across your home network. Once your storage device is connected, the router will automatically facilitate file sharing. This allows you to open files directly from Windows Explorer, as if they were locally stored on your computer—provided you remain connected to your home network.
The router’s IP address can be located on the right side of the External Storage page within the Smart Wi-Fi dashboard, under the "PC Access" section.
As illustrated, the router may automatically assign itself an address such as "\\192.168.1.1". To access the shared folders, simply enter this address into the address bar of Windows Explorer.
Pressing Enter will then display your shared folders. These folders can be opened and their contents viewed on your computer in the same manner as local directories.
By default, these shared folders are visible and accessible to all devices connected to the local network without requiring a username or password.
Securing Shared Folders with Passwords
It's likely you wish to restrict access to your personal files, such as movies, on your network. Unrestricted access is particularly undesirable if these folders are made available over the internet. The Linksys Secure Folder Access feature provides granular control, allowing you to define who can view your media on a per-folder basis.
To establish usernames and passwords for your media, navigate to the "Folder Access" tab within the External Storage section of the Smart Wi-Fi dashboard. This will display the configuration window.
This interface allows you to add, delete, and manage users with access to your media server. You can also customize the specific folders each user is permitted to view.
Begin by entering a new username in the designated field (labeled "New User2" in the example). Then, assign a password and specify the user's permissions: they can either have read & write access, or read-only access. To determine which media is visible, click the "Select share" link.
From the resulting prompt, select the folders that the user should be able to access. This ensures controlled access to your valuable data.
Consequently, any attempt to access a protected folder will now require valid user credentials before access is granted.
Streaming Movies to DLNA Devices: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and More
Expanding your viewing experience beyond a small screen and into a home theater environment is easily achievable with a device that supports DLNA. DLNA, which stands for "Digital Living Network Alliance," encompasses devices pre-configured to recognize networked media servers without requiring additional software installations or firmware updates.
Popular gaming consoles, such as the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, along with streaming media players like the Roku, are prime examples of DLNA-compatible devices.
Enabling the Media Server
To ensure your storage drive is accessible to DLNA devices, begin by navigating to the "Media Server" tab within the External Storage settings. Activate the media server functionality by toggling the switch, as illustrated below.
Subsequently, you must specify which folders you wish to share. Initiate this process by clicking the "Add New Folder" button, which will then present you with a selection prompt.
For instance, when transferring our media to a flash drive, we organized it within a folder named "All My Media," which Smart Wi-Fi successfully detected. Select the folder containing your media and confirm your selection by pressing the "Ok" button to apply the new sharing settings.
The name of the shared folder will then be displayed at the bottom of the External Storage page. Remember this name, as it will be the identifier you locate on your DLNA devices.
Accessing the Media on Your Devices
If your streaming device is DLNA-compatible, the Linksys Media Server folder should become automatically visible when you launch the media player application on that device. However, the exact location of this folder will vary depending on the device’s user interface.
The method for accessing the shared content differs between devices.
As an example, we tested the DLNA server with an Xbox 360. To enable playback, we first signed into Xbox Live and then launched the "Movies and TV" application, which was obtained through a recent firmware update.
Within the application, we navigated to the "Connected Devices" section, where the router had identified the folder as "Linksys02159:TMS". All of our media was readily available and began playing with minimal buffering.
Keep in mind that the process will vary depending on whether you are using a Roku, an Xbox, or another DLNA-compatible streaming device. Therefore, it is advisable to consult the user manual for your specific device to understand its unique operation.
Remote File Access via FTP
A common scenario arises when you need to access files stored on your network while away from home, perhaps to enjoy a movie or retrieve an important document.
An FTP server provides a solution, granting you access to the media drive connected to your router regardless of your location.
Enabling FTP Server Functionality
The process of activating this feature is remarkably straightforward. Begin by locating the "FTP Server" section within your router's settings.
Subsequently, simply activate the "Enable FTP Server" function by toggling the corresponding switch to the 'on' position.
Understanding FTP Access
- FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, facilitates the transfer of files between a client and a server over a network.
- Enabling the FTP server on your router allows your router to act as the server.
- You can then use an FTP client application on your remote device to connect and manage files.
With the FTP server enabled, your files become accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, offering convenience and flexibility.
The next step involves obtaining the FTP access address automatically configured by your router. This information is located within the External Storage overview window, specifically in the "FTP Server" section.
For connections utilizing cable or DSL, the router typically identifies the appropriate address and establishes a public IP address for login purposes. However, fiber optic connections currently lack bridging capabilities due to the signal decoding methods employed by their modems.
Related: What Is Dynamic DNS (DDNS), and How Do You Set It Up?
It’s important to remember that this IP address is subject to change. Therefore, always verify it before attempting to log in by remotely accessing the router through Smart Wi-Fi and checking the External Storage status. Alternatively, DynDNS can be utilized for remote access with a consistent, easily remembered address.
With the address in hand, you can now access the FTP server from a remote location. Begin by opening File Explorer on the device you intend to use for accessing the content.
Type the IP address of your FTP server directly into the address bar of File Explorer (this method also functions within a web browser).
A login prompt will appear, requesting the credentials you defined in the Secure Folder Access panel.
Input your username and password. Based on your assigned permissions, you will then be able to view any media folders that have been transferred to the storage drive.
From this point, you have the option to download the media to your computer or stream it directly to your device with a simple double-click. Ensure your computer has the necessary default applications installed to play the media files; otherwise, they will only be available for download.
After the file transfer or buffering process is complete, you can settle in and enjoy your chosen movie!
While streaming services like Netflix and Hulu offer convenience, accessing your personal collection of movies and media from any location – or even another room – is simplified by the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi system. Setting up a new media server becomes a straightforward process.