direct connect to a network drive

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Level 1

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direct connect to a network drive

I’m trying to connect directly to my network drives (a Western Digital myCloud and SynologyDS418). I’ve been told this can be done with smb://devicename.local and this works fine over WiFi. But I need to connect direct via a USB cable or ethernet with USB adapter. Every attempt to do so fails. Is there something I’m missing about Mac OS that I need to do? Such as get an app or change settings?

I’m using an M1 Macbook Pro running Ventura 13.6.2. I need to move a file which is over 2TB and doing so over WiFi requires more than 24 hours and fails ever time before completing. I would appreciate any suggestions, thank you.

MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)

Posted on Dec 17, 2023 9:05 AM

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Answer 1

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rick_de Author

Level 1

22 points

Dec 18, 2023 5:28 AM in response to MartinR

SOLVED !!!!!

It was not enough for me to have purchased the Belkin adapter, it must be turned on in Mac OS settings. The setting exist under “Network / Other Services”. There is an listing for Belkin USB-C LAN which is “inactive” by default. As soon as I clicked the “Make Active” option, all my devices were displayed when I selected “Network” in the finder sidebar. I have moved some test files and it worked perfectly.

Crazy to think how many hours I devoted to this when the solution was so simple. Thank you very much for all your help.

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Answer 2

MartinR

Level 7

24,161 points

Dec 17, 2023 1:51 PM in response to rick_de

Your MBP & Synology Diskstation each need to be connected to your network, not each other. They won't work directly connected to each other. The reason it works via WiFi is because they are connecting to each other via your network's WiFi. You need to substitute wired network connections instead.

The USB ports on your Synology unit are for connecting additional drives, not a computer, so no surprise that doesn't work, either.

Your Synology 418 has a wired ethernet connection to something, probably straight to your router. Most routers have more than one ethernet port (connector) in addition to providing WiFi. Plug your MBP's ethernet cable into one of the other ethernet ports on your router. Turn off WiFi in your MBP when you use a wired ethernet connection.

It would help if you identify the make/model of your router (and any other network devices you may have such as a switch or WiFi access point).

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Answer 3

MartinR

Level 7

24,161 points

Dec 17, 2023 11:17 AM in response to rick_de

The Synology unit uses a wired ethernet connection to your network (router/access point).

To connect your M1 MBP to your wired network you would need one of these adapters -> The Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter - Apple

If your MBP is connected to your wired network you should be able to access the Synology unit that way, without needing to use WiFI.

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Answer 4

rick_de Author

Level 1

22 points

Dec 17, 2023 12:35 PM in response to MartinR

Thank you for responding. The Belkin adapter is exactly the item I have. I’ve used it to connect my MacBook directly into the back of the Synology but it fails to mount. I’m using “Connect to Server“ under the “Go” menu with the command “smb://SynologyDS418.local” or “afp://SynologyDS418.local“. Neither seems to work. I don’t know what I’m missing.

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Answer 5

rick_de Author

Level 1

22 points

Dec 17, 2023 1:21 PM in response to rick_de

I should have mentioned that since synology also has a USB A/B port, I also tried a USB cable with A/B on one side and C on the other with the same failed result. The same "Go" command of "smb://SynologyDS418.local” successfully mounts the drive via WiFi. I'm puzzled why this doesn't work.

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Answer 6

rick_de Author

Level 1

22 points

Dec 17, 2023 5:04 PM in response to MartinR

Thank you again. We have an Arris G54 router. I tried connecting to it via ethernet (using the Belkin USB adapter) plugged into the router with no success. I then tried a NetGear GS105 switch but all attempts continue to fail. I’ve tried using the device name “afp://SynologyDS418.local“ and its IP address “smb://192.168.0.4.local“ – both failed.

I’m happy to try other suggestions if you have any. Thank you.

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Answer 7

MartinR

Level 7

24,161 points

Dec 18, 2023 11:21 AM in response to rick_de

Wow, glad to hear it's working now. I also have one of the Belkin adapters but haven't used it yet, so I learned something here, too!

Cheers!

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direct connect to a network drive

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