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Help Mapping Network Drive with ES File Explorer

K

kjames05

Newbie
Hi All,

I'm trying to find an easy way to be able to access media on all my devices. I've got an external hard drive attached to my router which so far works quite well (on PC) but I can't seem to figure out how to get it working on my Android phone and TV box. I can access the files on Android but it's tedious to always scan the network drives and find the files. I would like to be able to map the drive and use Plex for viewing. If this is possible or if you know of a workaround that would be great.
 
Dannydet said:
It allows ES file explorer to connect to your shared folders on your PC
Click to expand...
Yes but the files would need to be in that folder, and the PC would need to be on in order for me to access the files which is not going to work. Is there a way for me to map the drive to an Android device and use Plex to access the files?
 
Plex is a media server that works in conjunction with your PC. It NEEDS to be on and running on the PC for Plex on your Android to stream to. Again, there's nothing to map with ES file explorer, Plex will find it as long as you have your PC seup for file sharing by creating a home group.
 
kjames05 said:
I've got an external hard drive attached to my router which so far works quite well (on PC) but I can't seem to figure out how to get it working on my Android phone and TV box.
Click to expand...

Can this external drive be configured as a DNLA server? If so it will "serve" its contents to any DNLA-compatible client on the same network.

If the drive doesn't have its own DNLA server, check to see if your router does via a USB port.

I would like to be able to map the drive and use Plex for viewing.
Click to expand...

Plex requires its own server installed on the source device(s), which won't work for standalone HDDs, and drive mapping requires a "host" e.g. an always-on device. Unless you have a dedicated server DNLA is the way forward. ;)

I have a 2TB NAS array (DNLA-capable) connected via ethernet and a 1TB HDD connected to a DNLA-enabled USB3 port on my router. I can access all content from my phones and smart tv just by searching Devices. All media servers appear in the list, along with their content.
 
AZgl1500 said:
Why not just set up Google Drive?
Click to expand...

Would need the 10TB package from Google. Just checked and it's $100/month. Not exactly cost-effective

Slug said:
Can this external drive be configured as a DNLA server? If so it will "serve" its contents to any DNLA-compatible client on the same network.

If the drive doesn't have its own DNLA server, check to see if your router does via a USB port.

Plex requires its own server installed on the source device(s), which won't work for standalone HDDs, and drive mapping requires a "host" e.g. an always-on device. Unless you have a dedicated server DNLA is the way forward. ;)

I have a 2TB NAS array (DNLA-capable) connected via ethernet and a 1TB HDD connected to a DNLA-enabled USB3 port on my router. I can access all content from my phones and smart tv just by searching Devices. All media servers appear in the list, along with their content.
Click to expand...

Checked the router manufacturer's website which confirmed it has integrated DNLA.

I can access the files on my phone (through ES File Explorer) and on my PC through File Explorer. I'm not at home right now, but when I get there I will give it a shot to see if Plex can view the files. If that doesn't work I may try connecting the HDD to the Android box directly and see if I can somehow access it from my PC over the network. Will report back when I test it out.
 
kjames05 said:
Checked the router manufacturer's website which confirmed it has integrated DNLA.
Click to expand...

Presumably through the USB port(s)?

when I get there I will give it a shot to see if Plex can view the files.
Click to expand...

Plex doesn't "do" DLNA and won't see anything that's not served up by its own server, so you'll have to connect the HDD to a PC that's on 24/7.

If that doesn't work I may try connecting the HDD to the Android box directly and see if I can somehow access it from my PC over the network.
Click to expand...

If you connect it to the router's DNLA-enabled USB port then every device on the network will be able to access the content using any DLNA client app e.g. Bubble, Kodi, MediaHouse, MediaMonkey etc.
 
Slug said:
Presumably through the USB port(s)?

Plex doesn't "do" DLNA and won't see anything that's not served up by its own server, so you'll have to connect the HDD to a PC that's on 24/7.

If you connect it to the router's DNLA-enabled USB port then every device on the network will be able to access the content using any DLNA client app e.g. Bubble, Kodi, MediaHouse, MediaMonkey etc.
Click to expand...

So I found out that my ISP actually disables the USB ports on their router. Ridiculous I know.

Tried using the Android box as a server with Plex but it doesn't look like the functionality is there for what I want to do. I couldn't even get the app Plex to view the files on a USB stick that was attached to the Android box. Seems like something pretty basic that should be added. Or maybe it's just my Android box that's crap.
 
kjames05 said:
So I found out that my ISP actually disables the USB ports on their router. Ridiculous I know.
Click to expand...
It's not that ridiculous, USB has become a major attack vector for a number of hardware-based exploits. Disabling USB completely is often implemented in a lot of corporate and government facilities these days.

kjames05 said:
I couldn't even get the app Plex to view the files on a USB stick that was attached to the Android box. Seems like something pretty basic that should be added.
Click to expand...
The act of plugging in a USB stick may appear to be a simple thing but there's a lot going on in the background. Different devices run different operating systems on different hardware platforms, so there's always a matter of rough translations going on with differing file systems and even basic file permissions. I'd suggest buying a separate, good wireless router that has USB support of course but specifically integral NAS support. Disable any wireless and routing functionality on your ISP-supplied modem/router so it's just a modem, add in and configure your wireless router, and then any USB drive or stick you add will just get its own IP address on your home LAN.
 
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