Confirming if Dongle Compatible with DS212

[JJn7]

Is there a way to confirm if the dongle needed to enable the DS212 to work in a wireless network is suitable? I know the dongle I have inserted into the back of the diskstation is NOT on the list of 'tested' and therefore supported dongles on the Synology website, but I don't know for sure if it isn't compatible.

The diskstation definitely recognises the dongle as it is listed in System Information, but I can't see the diskstation in Finder on my macbook unless I connect the macbook to my router via an ethernet cable. I'm wondering if perhaps there is a setting or check box I need to tick and haven't or whether the diskstation not showing in Finder when I am working wirelessly is evidence enough that the dongle is not suitable.

The dongle I am using is a RealTek RTL8187

Thanks

[iket]

It should show up as a network interface under Network in the control panel. If it works you will be able to configure it to connect to your WiFi network.

[JJn7]

Sorry I should have mentioned in my post that it isn't showing in the Network Interface tab within Network either, BUT I have now backed up my macbook using an Ethernet cable and when I unplugged the ethernet cable the Diskstation has now remained accessible via Finder as has the shared backup folder! This did NOT happen when previously I unplugged having NOT done a backup. The backup folder is now also still showing in Time Machine and this also wasnt the case when wireless before the ethernet linked backup. Interestingly nothing is still showing the Network/Network Interface.

Very confusing.

[gro]

Hi JJn7,

I too have been considering connecting my NAS wirelessly. I had a Netgear WG111 USB adapter lying around. I plugged it in and it too showed up under System Info but not in Network. Unlike your experience however I lost network access when I unplugged the ethernet cable.

So, I presume this does not work with the NAS. I have no idea how you would get an install drivers on the NAS either. Does it depend which are already built into the OS as to which devices will work?

I'm looking to get another adapter (from the compatible list). I'm wondering if anyone can confirm that some definitely do work. And I'm wondering if I should get a 300Mbps one (for example this) rather than a 150. Not really sure how I can tell what speed my home network is running at.

Anyway, if anyone can confirm good experience with one of these adapters please let us know. (My NAS is a ds212j)

[JJn7]

Hi Gro

I agree it would be good to know a way to confirm 100% if the adapter works or not (I still dont know for sure re mine), as many things with these NAS devices seem to depend on other things first being done or checked or switched on etc, so you're never totally sure if you've done something wrong or there is an actual issue. I'm also keen on not buying a brand new dongle just for this NAS, especially if the current one would work if I did X.

Strangely I could do some wireless tasks, but nothing has ever appeared in Network so I've not ever been able to set up the wireless element. I'd also reiterate that my DS drive(s) also continually disappeared from Finder just like you when I unplugged the ethernet cable, and this went of for a week, but for some reason the DS suddenly stayed visible for a period after I'd done my first backup and the ethernet was then unplugged. I say for a period because I just checked and it's no longer showing a few days later, and I dont know when and why it disappeared again.

Good luck (think we need it)

[gro]

Thanks for the reply.

Well, I have just bought this one, which is on the compatible list. When it arrives I will give it a go and report back with whether or not I can get it to work.

[gro]

Hello all,

Just to confirm that wireless adapter (Edimax EW-7711UAN) actually works great. It's plug and play. It enables "Wireless" under Network, then you just connect to the wireless network. At this point the router connection was lost (presumably because I was previously on ethernet. So, I disconnected the ethernet, restarted the NAS and all good (a new IP number is allocated). That adapter even matches the NAS, looks like it's part of it, and at £10 you can't go wrong. (Network speed seems much the same as when it was connected to the router via ethernet.)

[JJn7]

Thanks for the update Gro. I've still got the same issues, so may have to cave in and buy the extra to get this thing working properly. As you say at least it's just £10, but annoying nonetheless, then again most things seem annoying with this product.

Actually Gro can I confirm something which should be basic with you. Should you only need to attach a dongle to the NAS if the NAS is not attached to the router with an ethernet cable? My issue is the NAS does not show up in Finder etc when I'm using a wireless mac. However when I went to look at the product you suggested it says its for attaching to a PC/MAC that doesnt have wireless built in. Obviously in this case the dongle would go into the NAS but what's the point if the NAS is attached directly the router and my Mac can pick up my router wirelessly with no issues?

Cheers

[gro]

Hi JJn7,

That's right, you only need the dongle if you wish to have the DiskStation in a different place to your router. If it's connected by ethernet as standard and you're on your wireless network with your Mac, then you should be able to see your NAS. Try using the Synology agent to find and configure it.

[JJn7]

Thanks Gro.

There's obviously some other problem as I cant get any of my macs to see the NAS in Finder without being connected via ethernet. That's OK for the laptop even if a pain as I can move it to the router to back up manually, but it isnt for the desktop as it's much harder to move everything. Also it doesn't help when wanting to access it remotely.

I cant work out what's wrong at all. By use the agent did you mean EZ Internet as I've tried that and selected share files with Mac but it made no difference. Is there anything else I need to set up for macs to see the diskstation in Finder?

Cheers

[gro]

To be honest I can't remember how I got it up and running now - I followed whatever the instructions were and got it connected to my router, which is an Orange Livebox here in the UK.

By agent I meant the Synology Assistant software which I seem to recall was a first step. There must be docs on this. Hope you get it sorted.

[JJn7]

OK no worries Gro. Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately can't find anything useful.

Must admit I hate this thing

[HowardMcKinney]

So are there no solid answers to this thread? I have a DS112 with a Netgear Rangemax WNDA3100 USB adapter in a USB slot. It is not on the officially supported list, but it does show up correctly under System Information as a USB device. However, the LED indicator on the device does not illuminate as it does when I plug it in to my laptop. And nothing shows up under Control Panel -> Network -> Network Interface. Is it a matter of having the proper device drivers in the DSM?

Howard