Experiences with a USB3 hard drive on an Internet box?

Hello, dear community

I have been a satisfied new customer with Vivo M (fiber optic) since July 22, 2015. In terms of TV and uploads, I was catapulted from the UPC Middle Ages into the future. I haven’t regretted my move for a second.

Unfortunately, there are hardly any contributions in the community about the central storage function on Internet Box.

Before I change my entire data organization, I would like to ask you about your experiences using a USB3 hard drive on the Internet Box?

I’m currently using an older Synology NAS for photos and family movies (MP4) (no replacement planned), which is only switched on when needed (fan is noisy). Playback on the TV (DLNA) works smoothly and without interference (Vivo M, fiber optic, high performance, WLAN connection kit).
Would this also work satisfactorily from the central USB3 hard drive? The TV and Internet box are in the same place (high WiFi performance).

My document files are on a Swiss cloud and are synchronized with three computers. Here too, it would be conceivable to save this data on the central storage on the Internet Box. I would then assign a fixed drive letter to the “Internetbox-NAS” on the Windows PC (connect a network drive).

The cloud was then used for external backup.

I eagerly await your opinion on the topic.

Greetings, rene1212

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Well, the “NAS” in the internet box is easily enough for streaming.

Somewhere in the depths of the community I once read that USB3.0 is more marketing than technically feasible…

Now, of course, it depends on your requirements. They don’t seem to be that high, otherwise you would have already replaced your older Synology NAS. You just have to be aware that a real, up-to-date NAS has and needs CPU power and can only be used for the NAS. A router is primarily a router and can also be a NAS. The CPU/RAM equipment is primarily designed for router needs - if there is still something left - yes, then you can use it to run a NAS.

Long story short: Try it out to see if it meets your needs…

I did comparative measurements a while ago:

Measurements NAS Performance Internet BOX

Measurement environment:

-HP Probook with GB LAN on Internet box

-Synology NAS DS110+ (born 2010) with GB-LAN on Internet box

-Toshiba 500GB 2.5″ HD with USB3.0 to Internet box

-Speeds according to Windows 7 copy display

Measurement scenario 1: Copy 2600 files of approx. 5MB each

Results:

Syno-NAS –> PC: 35MB/s // PC –> Syno-NAS: 16MB/s

IB-NAS –> PC: 18MB/s // PC –> IB-NAS: 10MBs

Measuring scenario 2: Copy 1 file of 2GB each

Results:

Syno-NAS –> PC: 90MB/s // PC –> Syno-NAS: 58MB/s

IB-NAS –> PC: 34MB/s // PC –> IB-NAS: 27MBs

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….keep on rockin' 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

NAS are available in a variety of designs.

The function of the Internet box does not come remotely close to the performance and function of a device from Synology.

If you just want to store a little data and access control doesn’t really play a role, the Internet Box function can be enough.

For example, it should There are pensioners who are very excited to show their photos to the family….

For your needs I would possibly. Also consider a hard drive that you attach to the network.

A myBook like this could be enough.

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@fmueller

speicherbox.ch (StoreBox Home)~

After experience with various foreign free clouds, I decided on this paid Swiss solution in November 2014.~

500GB for 108.00/year. 1TB for 230.00/year. New also with 100GB for 49.00/year.~

Greetings, René

Edit from June 28, 2016 @fmueller

Unfortunately, after several major disruptions at speicherbox.ch, I had to pull the rip cord. I have been a satisfied customer of the Swiss cloud provider SecureSafe (GOLD variant) since the end of September 2015. Why this is never mentioned in cloud comparisons is a mystery to me.

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@POGO 1104 @Tux0ne

Thanks for your feedback.

I have now connected my WD MyBook 2TB USB3.0 hard drive, which is no longer needed for the TV, to the Internet box (USB3.0).

1. Test:

  • Home video 3.8GB from Synology DS210j via LAN Gigabit switch - WLAN connection kit - Internet box copied to “Internet box NAS”.
  • Copy performance: Very slow 2MB/s (Windows display).
  • Streaming via WiFi to TV in the same location as Internet box: Absolutely smooth.
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@rene1212 wrote:

1. Test:

  • Home video 3.8GB from Synology DS210j via LAN Gigabit switch - WLAN connection kit - Internet box copied to “Internet box NAS”.
  • Copy performance: Very slow 2MB/s (Windows display).

Of course, transferring several GB from/to a NAS via WLAN doesn’t really make sense.

How much is it in the other direction?

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….keep on rockin' 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

This means that for a major copying operation it is worth moving the DS210j from the office to the living room and connecting it directly to the Internet box using a LAN cable.

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@rene1212 wrote:

@fmueller

speicherbox.ch (StoreBox Home)

After experience with various foreign free clouds, I decided on this paid Swiss solution in November 2014.

500GB for 108.00/year. 1TB for 230.00/year. New also with 100GB for 49.00/year.

Greetings, René

Thank you very much for your information!

Greetings Ferdi

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2 months later

Hello everyone.

I also wanted to use the IB as a “NAS”. I specifically bought a new 2T HDD. I also have great access to the data via the app, but DLNA simply doesn’t work properly. I also have my music collection on the HDD. However, playback on my network speakers only works for a few minutes and then it’s done. Then I have to reactivate the DLNA sharing in the IB, then it works again for a few minutes. It’s not usable for me.

I guess I’ll have to get something else. What do you think of a WD My-cloud? I think that would be enough for DLNA services, film playback on TV and a bit of cloud.

Greetings Smön

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9 months later

For months I have had family photos/films and MP3 music on the central storage on the Internet-Box plus (USB3 hard disk). Playback was usually carried out via two Panasonic TVs (DLNA client, WLAN) and worked practically without any problems. It was easy to use, so even a non-technical person like my wife could use it.

For some time now, the subdirectories of the photo, film and music folders have not been listed at all. It could well be since the update to the application software version 7.50.34. I can’t pinpoint the exact time.

The Internet box is displayed as the media server “Swisscom Internet-Box (Media)”. In it I can navigate through the photo, film or music folders to the “My Book 2 TB” hard drive. But then there are no directories (anymore).

Both safely disconnecting and reconnecting the hard drive and restarting the Internet Box did not cause the directories to be captured.

Is the “error” known? Is there a solution? Or is the central storage function no longer supported? What will it be like at IB2?

Thank you for your support.

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@rene1212 wrote:

For months I have had family photos/films and MP3 music on the central storage on the Internet-Box plus (USB3 hard disk). Playback was usually carried out via two Panasonic TVs (DLNA client, WLAN) and worked practically without any problems. It was easy to use, so even a non-technical person like my wife could use it.

For some time now, the subdirectories of the photo, film and music folders have not been listed at all. It could well be since the update to the application software version 7.50.34. I can’t pinpoint the exact time.

The Internet box is displayed as the media server “Swisscom Internet-Box (Media)”. In it I can navigate through the photo, film or music folders to the “My Book 2 TB” hard drive. But then there are no directories (anymore).

Safely disconnecting and reconnecting the hard drive as well as restarting the Internet Box did not cause the directories to be recorded.

Is the “error” known? Is there a solution? Or is the central storage function no longer supported? What will it be like at IB2?

Thank you for your support.

Is there really no information about the new problem described? I’ll probably have to contact support.

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I don’t have any information about this, but I would recommend that you use the error report form (on the beta firmware page).
But do a reset first - that might help.

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Thanks @whoever

Since these are not beta versions that I installed on my own responsibility but rather final versions that were installed automatically, I reported the new malfunction to support as a defect.

There are no similar reports there yet. A connection with the new versions for routers and applications is considered very likely. It is not recommended to invest in a total reset of the otherwise perfectly functioning network (consideration of effort/opportunity/risk). Until lifting in? For months, the only emergency solution that is not suitable for everyday use is to stream photos/films/music to the TV with a notebook (HDMI cable).

For me the lack is very annoying. The application of central storage was an important part of the considerations before switching from UPC to Swisscom.

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I don’t know how complex your network settings in the IB are, but with a prior backup the risk is acceptable. In addition to the Tf. book, the usual settings can usually be restored manually in just a few minutes.

Sure, you shouldn’t just carelessly reset every time there is a problem, but before I wait months for the next release, I would consider a reset.

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Thanks V hed

A reset without support is out of the question for me. Swisscom support has clarified the procedure. Swisscom is of the opinion that the USB3 hard drive connected to the Internet-Box plus as central storage is a third-party device. That’s why support has to be provided for a fee via My Service. If the intervention were ineffective - and this risk is great - the state that existed before the intervention would be restored (router backup) and this support would in any case be chargeable!

This argument reminds me unpleasantly of my UPC days.
I am convinced that the central storage application is an integral part of the router purchased from Swisscom. This function was an important feature in the decision to switch to Swisscom. The defect is to be found in this application and not in the perfectly functioning USB hard drive. Access via PC is possible as normal.

The Smart TVs integrated as DLNA clients still have the same firmware as when it still worked. This possibility for the error is eliminated.

The complaint department’s response is pending.

P.S. With the new firmware/software, SIP telephony has now worked without any problems.

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The directories (folders) with content in the central storage will be given to you

normal PC displayed?

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