This article explains how to setup file sharing on home network with the use of router, NAS (Network attached storage) and the cloud.
File sharing setup with router
Routers comes with USB port. Check if your router has a USB port. If your router does not have a USB port inbuilt, purchase a wireless router with USB port from Amazon here – Wireless router with USB port.
Copy the files which you wish to share to a USB drive. Connect the USB drive to the USB port on the router. Once connected ,the router USB drive can be accessed by the supported application on the router. FTP is a common protocol which can be used to access the drive and is supported by most of the routers. FTP clients can be downloaded and setup on the systems used to access the files.
Home Network attached storage
A network attached storage is a device which acts like your hard disk. It is like a network based hard disk which can be accessed on the network using an IP address and corresponding application. Home based network attached storage device are less expensive than the commercial version. A home NAS can be purchased from Amazon here – Home NAS. The home NAS is connected to the router on the network and works like an additional device on the network.
File sharing on the cloud
This would be the cheapest option. Cloud service providers like AWS or google cloud can be used for sharing the files.
Verdict
If your data is confidential , it is highly recommended that you go for option 1 or 2 since the data stays within your home network and you have total control of it. Option 2 would be more expensive than option 1 since , a NAS costs more than a router. But NAS is like a regular hard drive , which would have more space and robust than a USB drive connected to the router. If you are willing to spend , then a NAS is recommended since it does not disrupt your existing network setup by purchasing a new router and re configuring it for the network. NAS would have more storage and faster than the USB port on the router.
If the data is not confidential, the services of a cloud vendor can be used. But this is not recommended if your file size is large, since it would time to upload and download files and would consume your internet bandwidth and would be slower when compared with option 1 and option 2.