How to connect NAS directly to Computer via Ethernet Cable

Setup & Installation
1

Hello Everyone,

I need some help regarding my NAS. I would like to set up my NAS so I can connect it directly to my PC. Apparently, this can be done with connecting the ethernet cable from the NAS to the PC, and setting the ip addresses to be the same on both devices; however, I am unable to access my NAS’s menu to edit the IP address.

My questions are;

  1. Has anyone else been able to edit the IP address of the NAS without the UGREEN Web App or Client Program?
  2. How screwed am I?

For context, I am using a UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus, and a PC running Windows 11.

Any help would be appreciated.

2

You cannot set the IP address to the exact same value, not even for direct connections. Will not work. You need to set the IP address on the same subnet, but not the same.

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3

Forgive me, but what do you mean same subnet? I’m still fairly new to this.

4

Why do you want to connect directly to the NAS? In most cases it will not have any advantages over connecting through a router/switch.

5

Hello!

Think of an IP address as the unique address of your device on a network. If two devices have the same IP address, the network won’t know where to send data so your network will come down.

So, the first thing you need is for each device to have a unique IP address. The second step is to choose an IP address for your NAS that’s in the same range as your PC but not already in use by another device.

For example, if your PC’s IP address is 192.168.1.7, you could assign your NAS an address like 192.168.1.9 - if you are sure that this address isn’t in use by any otehr device . However, if you use an IP like 10.30.30.2, your NAS won’t be reachable because it’s outside the same network range.

Unique address within the same Network range is the job of DHCP server. Most of the time , your router is your DHCP server, so things will be much easiers if you just connect your NAS to your router, it will get the address automatcially.

With the direct connection approach - you have to either setup a DHCP server on your PC , or if you are lucky they may negotiate and you get a workable IP address. run on your command prompt ipconfig , see your pc ip address and then try a few ip addresses close to that to see if you can get to your NAS.

Easiest though - is to connect to a router ( or whicher DHCP server) you have

6

Maybe because many people don’t have a fast switch or even a switch in the same room?

I got a couple of 10 Gbps Aquantia cards around seven years ago during a Black Friday deal and I ran them directly connected between my PC and DIY NAS at the time, as 10 Gbps switches were a small fortune. Ended up with a Netgear switch with two 10 Gbps ports a year or so later.

Is it great doing this? No, but if you have a NAS with two network ports and you can route the traffic from your PC through it, it’s not too bad.

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7

Thanks for Sharing this.

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