Can I access NAS device using \\address\folder\filename.ext ?? (Synology DS-101J)

[Pealy]

I'm currently using a standard PC (HomePC) with 5 drives to hold all my data and my media references the files in one of two ways:

1. Mapped Drives with simple file sharing. eg P is mapped to \\homepc\Music1, Q to \\homepc\Music2 etc
2. Direct. Eg I open the database at \\homepc\Music1\HiFiPlayer\Titles.MDB

I want to get rid of the huge PC (and it's whirring fans) and go NAS by plugging a Synology DiskStation DS-101j NAS Server into my wireless router. I'm worried about how I will be able to access the files because much of the HTPC software runs a service in Windows XP Pro. I can't install any software to give acces to the NAS device so it needs to be visible without anything client side. The 101J looks like it supports this but it's hard to find any really detailed info.

Anybody had any experience?

[Splash]

I can't speak with 100% authority on the model, but any NAS should allow you to map to a share on it using either UNC or a mapped drive.

EDIT - just checked the manual and yep, you can setup custom shares so you can definitely use UNC or a mapped drive.

[directhex]

http://www.synology.com/enu/products...page=spec.html
"Microsoft Networks CIFS"

so, yes.

[Pealy]

Thanks guys/gals - I hoped that was what CIFS meant. Sorry about the lack of correct acronyms. I'll try to remember to say UNC when I meant it in future.

I did spend a while choosing the 'NAS box most likely' but it's a minefield out there.

What about the USB copy function - I'm guessing it's intended for USB flash devices but I was wondering.. If I plug in a USB DVD Drive would it copy a data DVD onto the NAS? I'm hoping it simply wouldn't know the difference.

[Splash]

You mean copy the data off the DVD onto the NAS? If so it's probably just easier to stick the DVD in a drive on a PC and copy it to the share...

[Pealy]

You mean copy the data off the DVD onto the NAS? If so it's probably just easier to stick the DVD in a drive on a PC and copy it to the share...

Yeah, that's what I want but it takes an age to copy 4GB over my wireless network, if the NAS could copy it directly to disk this would be much better.