Question about external ethernet HD enclosure.
 

If I purchase an external ethernet HD enclosure and it has a USB port on the back (I presume to allow conection via USB if need be) can I connent a second HD to the original one (via the USB) and have both connected on my network?

Nope. You need a USB host on at least one end of the connection, and it's unlikely that your ethernet enclosure offers that. The other external enclosure almost certainly doesn't.

There are some NAS enclosures that support multiple drives.

This one is coming soon from Netgear

Solution ---

I ended up popping into radioshack and found an enclosure with both usb and ethernet. After Sale and rebate it cost me only $30. I through in my Hd and it works great.

Can you post either the make and model or a link to the enclosure you bought? Thanks. :)

I have had good results from my Vantec enclosure. Try this:

http://www.vantec.com.tw/_en/01_prod...sid=109&id=128

Does anyone know of a gigabit ethernet enclosure (for less than the cost of a luxury automobile ;) )?

http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=509

http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=377

FWIW, the second one I recommended to PTravel has an internal connection AND USB ports like you want:

http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=377

Thanks. The DSM-G600 looks interesting, because my wireless router just bit the dust last week. The "router" part is redundant as I use a VPN router for DHCP, so this would kill two birds with one stone. Any idea of how reliable it is?

Well, when I purchased it (over 12 months ago) I have to say that it sucked. The unit itself is great and reliable, but the software D-link delivers with it (to detect it on your network) sucked. I know there have been several firmware updates since then, so I'd suggest trying one and returning it if/when it sucks as much as it did when I tested it.

Stuff like this evolves, some products become really good after a few firmware upgrades, others stay terrible so I can't comment on this one.

I just read a bunch of user reviews on the net and they are fairly uniform: noisy fan and slow transfers. It's the latter that's an issue for me (too bad, too, because Circuit City has it on sale for about $100). There's a product by Buffalo that seems similar (but costs twice as much). The user reviews complain about setup problems, but it seems to run okay. I may check that out.

Buffalo gear is awesome, like people say, their setup can be terrible (poorly translated Japanese!) but performance is just great. I've got several of their routers and Terastations and they've never let me down.

What kind of HD?

I think a firewire enclosure (with built in pass-through) might be the best solution for you. Assuming you are cradling a notebook HD, here is one with good reviews and under $30 USD:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817146604

Of course, make sure your machine has a firewire port (or pick up a firewire PCMCIA Card)