Quick NAS question

[Shooty*]

I'm getting a Dlink DTS323 delivered to work tomorrow.

Can I connect it directly to my laptop, do you think, with a network cable, or will I have to have a router inbetween them? Logically, I don't see why I can't go for a direct connection, as long as I know the IP address (default) of the NAS box, but would appreciate any comments.

The reason is so that I can get it formatted and firmware updated before I get home: get the prep done on company time

[CaptainCrash]

Yes, it should work, and provided one or both devices supports auto-MDI/MDI-X (afaik all gigabit NICs do), you can use an ordinary network patch cable (no need for a crossover cable).

You'll need to manually configure the laptop's NIC on the same subnet as the NAS box's default IP address, as there will be no DHCP server on the "network", but that's no big deal.

[Shooty*]

Ah... OK, I'd imagine both subnets'll be the standard 255.255.255.0, but I can look that up.

Thanks, Cap'n.