Backing up to Asus RT-N56U attached hardrive

[rostov]

Danger!

Note that the smb.conf places the file-serving on 'eth3'. This is the *public interface*. There seems to be no way to disable this absent modifying the smb.conf file via telnet (and I don't believe this file persists across reboots).

In fact, all of the services on this router are exposed to the internet by default and there is no functional firewall through the GUI. You can configure much of this through the command-line, but it isn't clear how to set these settings persistent across reboots.

One relatively easy option to get security on this router is to set a DMZ host. Then, all incoming packets are forwarded. One option is to set that DMZ host to the broadcast address (i.e. 192.168.1.255) which will have the side-effect of allowing external WOL packets to come in. However, that might also open other security holes (such as smurf attacks).

 

[Guz]

Note that the smb.conf places the file-serving on 'eth3'. This is the *public interface*. There seems to be no way to disable this absent modifying the smb.conf file via telnet (and I don't believe this file persists across reboots).

Wow, I never noticed that it was enabled on the external interface.

Actually the smb.conf file is created only when a drive is connected, and is deleted when the drive is removed (scripted).

But... I found you can tweak it. It's a royal pain via telnet. Connect the drive, telnet in, kill the first smbd process, vi the smb.conf file, then restart the smbd process.

 

[Shikami]

8. fix AiDisk permission and dos attributes issues

Does the new firmware resolve the issues? I have not had a chance to test. Flashed the router this morning.

 

[Guz]

Does the new firmware resolve the issues? I have not had a chance to test. Flashed the router this morning.

I'll play with it tonight after work.

 

[Guz]

Well... it somewhat works properly.

Firmware: 1.0.1.7f
Drive format:
EXT3: No errors on copy. Hidden = Hidden, System = System, Read only = Read only.
FAT32/NTFS: No errors on copy. Hidden != Hidden, System != System, Read only != Read only.

So, if you can live with EXT3 formatted USB drives, life is good. If you want to keep your USB drives as FAT32 or NTFS, it will work. But not quite exactly perfect.

So... anyone want to buy a slightly used RT-N56U?

 

[Zeiram]

Hi guys,

I purchased the Asus RT-N56U a couple of weeks ago, and I've begun to grow a bit annoyed with the issues you have described in this thread... I can read/write using Explorer (Win 7), but most of the time when I use applications that try to write files to the drive (for instance; exporting the thumbnails/fanart from XBMC) it doesn't work.

I read what Guz said about it working using EXT3, but that's not really an option for me since a lot of the programs I use require the drive to be in NTFS...

Has anyone actually gotten it to work properly, or am I going to have to return it..?

 

[Guz]

I hate to say this, but return it while you still can.

From what I got from the tech support guy, was the "developer" felt that the EXT3 format was the acceptable solution, and that they weren't going to spend anymore time on the issue as they had another "bigger" project they were working on.

For what it's worth, supposedly the Linksys E4200 or E3200 will handle hidden, system, etc. attributes properly.

If I had known what I know now, I would have returned my router when I could. Now I'm stuck with it (unless I find someone to buy mine. Anyone? Anyone?).

 

[stevech]

Hi guys,
I read what Guz said about it working using EXT3, but that's not really an option for me since a lot of the programs I use require the drive to be in NTFS...
(

A NAS that supports SMB folders should be transparent to your apps as to whether the file system is Linux based or NTFS. That's the premise.

 

[Zeiram]

I hate to say this, but return it while you still can.

Okay. Well, I just realized that it might actually already be too late for me aswell... Just gonna have to learn to live with it, I suppose.

A NAS that supports SMB folders should be transparent to your apps as to whether the file system is Linux based or NTFS.

Huh. I didn't know that! I tried formatting a thumbdrive to EXT3, and when it was plugged into the router I could use it just like any other NTFS/FAT32-drive. Thanks for the advice!

The weird thing is though; Even when I've flashed the RT-N56U with the latest firmware, the write access-problem for some applications (like XBMC, Calibre, etc.) still persists? Could I have missed something?

 

[Guz]

The weird thing is though; Even when I've flashed the RT-N56U with the latest firmware, the write access-problem for some applications (like XBMC, Calibre, etc.) still persists? Could I have missed something?

Probably not. I only could get Asus to test with ROBOCOPY. When I suggested that they continue testing with other software... they said no. (I use Microsoft's "SyncToy", and it still has issues, sometimes. It's hit-n-miss for errors when copying to the connected drive for some reason).

Try submitting a bug report to Asus. Maybe if enough people complain about it, they might spend more time on the issue. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease"

 

[stevech]

Try this one
http://www.centered.com/

 

[Derpchen]

I too am trying to backup wirelessly to a router attached storage unit. I am a total novice in this department, so I am hoping you guys can help me troubleshoot this issue, if a solution has been found.

My info:

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Router: Asus RT-N56U (firmware: 1.0.1.7f)
Location: \\RT-N56U\share\
Storage unit: WD My Passport SE (NTFS, 900+ MB free space)
Backup method: Windows Backup
Error code: 0x80070008, "Not enough storage is available to process this command"

I have set up the router to share with an account that has limitless rights. I have no problems transferring even large files to the storage unit via network share or FTP. Windows Backup works fine when I connect the storage unit directly to the computer. I hope TS or some of the gurus here can help.

 

[Shikami]

Derpchen, when I get home I can try running a Windows Backup session to it tonight to see if I can replicate the error with my system.

 

[matzen]

Found this thread after googling my problem. I bought this router the other day and it's working fine except for one thing: I have two discs connected to it. One is FAT32 formatted and the other is EXT3 formatted (with two EXT3 partitions). The router only recognises the disc formatted as FAT32 - it doesn't mount the other disc. What could be the reason for this? Asus state that for optimal usage the disc should be formatted to EXT3.

 

[stevech]

could well be that the Linux based product insists on removable medial like disks and flash USB drives be FAT32 and no other. So perhaps you were given bad info.

 

[Shikami]

Error code: 0x80070008, "Not enough storage is available to process this command"

I created a backup session with Windows 7 backup to the attached USB drive with and without passwords only to have the same error as you. The error was non-descriptive only giving the 0x80070008 code with the details revealed.

The router only recognises the disc formatted as FAT32 - it doesn't mount the other disc.

It mounts NTFS partitions fine; read and writes just fine for me. I have not tested EXT3. But others here have used EXT3, so it should mount the drive. Perhaps an issue with the partition?

 

[matzen]

Guess it's only possible to connect one hard drive to the router. Trying to connect a second drive won't work, the drive doesn't mount. I've tried formatting it as EXT3, NTFS and FAT32 but it didn't help. That's a bummer...

Edit: upgraded to the latest firmware (1.0.1.7f) and that helped. All discs are now mounted

 

[Derpchen]

I created a backup session with Windows 7 backup to the attached USB drive with and without passwords only to have the same error as you. The error was non-descriptive only giving the 0x80070008 code with the details revealed.

I thought I had subscribed to this thread, but I'm back now.

Do you have any idea if I can get the network backup to work with my set-up? Perhaps with a different HDD format or backup program? I'd like the convenience of having the storage attached to the router and to automatically backup through the network, but I can't find a solution on the internet.

*edit* I have tried it again with the same set-up, only this time i formatted the hdd to ext3, but it fails with the same error. I'm lost.

 

[Shikami]

For all those that are having issues using SAMBA and the RT-N56U. There is a custom firmware, which I am using, that adds support for NFSv3. I have not tested it, but I will say that my NTFS transfers have increased by 2.2Mb/s using the custom firmware.

You will have to read the post on the forums for I do not have time to list all that is necessary. Also, some questions I will have to answer later. But I felt this could help you with your issues in some way, shape, or form.

Some simple notes: The GUI is the same-even with some more options, additions to the firmware, and really good fixes have been made.

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx...729&board_id=11&model=RT-N56U&page=1&count=42

 

[aussiebish]

Fixed my USB drive access

For what its worth (and yes a very dated last post), I had this same problem using the attached drive as my batch (xxcopy) backup – writes failing without permissions.
My solution was to run a batch job before my backup job (or I guess you could just run it routinely) to go and reset the file attributes for the files to open up access again.

I just ran this:
icacls h:\ /t /grant EveryoneF)
It resets full permissions(F) for everything on my asus attached drive (h:\) for all folders/files on the entire USB attached disk. Seems to have fixed it for now. No idea if the asus will overwrite it in time again, but I'm just running this command prior to my twice weekly automated backup. Easy!

Hope it helps some.