I have posted here a few times about an external HD for backup. Thanks for the help. I think NAS is the way to go but I am out of router ports. Is there a way to add router ports or do I have to buy a new router with more ports? Hear there are routers that have USB ports so you can network USB devices like printers and external HD's. Would these be likely to have USB 3 ports as an add on?

Getting a USB 3 external HD is still an option. Even if I can't add USB 3 through a router I am told I can buy a USB 3 PCI card to add them. At any rate I will have to share the external HD so all computers on the network can use it. I know my computer has to be on so others can access it but is it a reliable way to network an external HD? Same thing for a printer. I had a printer networked by sharing it but it never worked that well. I was using Vista and a NetGear router. I bought a Cisco router and will be getting Win 7 Pro. The printer is USB 2. If I can not add more ports to my router I guess I will have to get a USB 3 card and share the external HD and printer.

I know I rambled a bit. Any thoughts on how to best network a printer and external HD?

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