Storage (NAS)

USB mass storage devices can be connected to the USB port of your FRITZ!Box. USB mass storage devices include hard drives and memory sticks. A USB storage device can be connected directly to the USB port or by means of a USB hub. Up to four USB storage devices can be connected by means of a USB hub.

File systems supported: The USB port supports the file systems FAT and FAT32 on USB storage devices.

Authorization for Network Access

The access rights for the connected USB storage devices are defined here.

  • The access rights are valid for all USB storage devices. It is not possible to assign different access rights for individual USB storage devices.
  • The access rights apply on all computers connected with the FRITZ!Box.

Read access only

With this setting the data saved on the USB storage device can be copied to a folder within the local network. But data from the local network may not be copied to the USB storage device.

Read and write access

Data can be copied from the USB storage device to folders within the local network, and from the local network to the USB storage device.

Enable password protection

Enable password protection if access to USB storage devices should be protected by a password. Enter a password of your choice in the "Password" field. To increase security, the password should have as many characters as possible. Use numerals, letters and special characters and combine capitals and lower-case letters.

You can use the following characters in a FRITZ!Box password:

  • the letters from a to z (lower case) and A to Z (upper case)
  • the numerals 0 to 9
  • the following special characters: ! " # $ % ' ( ) * + , - . / ; < = > ? @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` { | } ~

Attention The special characters ß, &, colon, empty spaces, the umlauts ä, ö, ü and Ä, Ö, Ü and the accent character ´ cannot be used in the password.

NOTE:

  • The FTP user name a user enters to log in is fixed as "ftpuser" and cannot be changed.
  • Password protection is valid for all USB storage devices. It is not possible to assign different passwords for individual USB storage devices.
  • The password protection for access to the USB storage devices applies on all computers connected with FRITZ!Box.
  • Only users who know the password can access connected USB storage devices.

Enable USB mass storage device FTP access

How to Access a USB Storage Device from a Computer Connected to the FRITZ!Box

Access takes place by means of FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Files are supported up to a size of 2 GB.

  • Access via the FRITZ!Box user interface:

    • In the "Advanced Settings / USB Devices / Overview of Devices" menu, select the name of the USB storage device. If you have enabled password protection for the USB storage devices, a message will prompt you to enter the password. If a user ID entry is also expected, enter "ftpuser".

  • Access via a web browser:

    • If you have protected the USB storage devices using a password, then enter the following in the address field: ftp://ftpuser:<password>@fritz .box
    Instead of "password", enter the password you actually assigned for the USB storage device.

    If you have not enabled password protection for the USB storage devices, then enter the following in the URL field:
    ftp://fritz.box

Granting Access to Memory to Users from the Internet

You can grant users from the Internet access to the data on the USB storage device. In order for you to be able to configure this setting, the following requirements must be met:

  • The FRITZ!Box administers the Internet connection.
  • A USB mass storage device is inserted in the FRITZ!Box.
  • The option "Enable USB mass storage device FTP access" was enabled.

If you have enabled the setting "Grant access to USB storage device to users from the Internet", you can access the USB storage devices from the Internet as follows:

  • If you have configured a domain name for the FRITZ!Box with a dynamic DNS provider, then the USB storage devices can be accessed via this domain name. Enter the following in the address field of your web browser:
    ftp://ftpuser:<password>@<domain_name>
    Instead of "password", enter the password you actually assigned for the USB storage device. In place of "domain_name", enter the domain name of the FRITZ!Box.
    For more information on dynamic DNS, see the Help on "Internet / Permit Access / Dynamic DNS".
  • If you have not set up a domain name for the FRITZ!Box with a dynamic DNS provider, then you have to know the IP address currently assigned to the FRITZ!Box by the Internet Service Provider. Enter the following in the address field of your web browser:
    ftp://ftpuser:<password>@<current_IP_address>
    Instead of "password", enter the password you actually assigned for the USB storage device.

The folder structure of the USB storage device is displayed in the web browser. You can copy files from your computer to the USB storage device, or copy files from the USB storage device to your computer or to a folder in your local network.

Files from the mass storage device cannot be executed or opened in a suitable program until they have been copied to your computer or your local network.

Enable USB network storage

With this function USB storage devices connected to the FRITZ!Box can be integrated as network drives in the network.

In order to access the contents of the USB mass storage device, click the link "To file sharing". This link is available only in Internet Explorer.

If you use a different browser, proceed as follows: Open the Windows Explorer, double-click "My Computer" and enter "\\fritz.box" or the IP address of the FRITZ!Box "\\192.168.178.1" (IP address of the FRITZ!Box in the factory settings) in the address line.

To integrate the USB storage device as a network drive in Windows, click the drive now displayed with the right mouse button and select "Map Network Drive..." from the context menu. Select a free drive letter and click "Finish". As a next step, enter any password required to access the USB storage device and confirm by clicking "OK".

The window with the contents of the newly added drive opens automatically. Now you can access the contents of the USB mass storage device at the FRITZ!Box.

If you protected the USB storage device with a password, enter the user name as "ftpuser" if prompted to do so. Access takes place by means of FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Files are supported up to a size of 2 GB.

Enable online storage

This function allows the online storage of an Internet Service Provider to be accessed directly from the FRITZ!Box. The online storage is reachable in the FRITZ!Box network via FTP or Samba and thus functions as a local hard drive.

Prerequisites

  • A USB storage device must be connected to the FRITZ!Box as a cache.
  • The free memory on the USB must be at least as large as the total size of all files to be moved.
  • The function "Enable USB mass storage device FTP access" and/or "Enable USB network memory" must be enabled.

Here is how to integrate the online memory as a Windows network drive:

  1. Enable the "Enable USB network storage" function.
  2. In Windows, double-click "My Computer" and enter "\\fritz.box" or the IP address of the FRITZ!Box "\\192.168.178.1" (in the factory settings) in the address line.
  3. Click the "Online Memory" drive now displayed with the right mouse button and select "Map Network Drive..." from the context menu.
  4. Select a free drive letter and click "Finish".
  5. As a next step, if required, enter the user name "ftpuser" and the password required to access the USB storage device and confirm by clicking "OK".

The window with the contents of the newly added drive opens automatically. Now you can access the contents of the online memory via the FRITZ!Box.

Enable media server

With this option media files on the USB storage device can be played back by compatible devices (streaming). The USB stick or the USB hard drive with the media collection (music, pictures and videos) is simply connected to the USB port of the FRITZ!Box and a suitable playback device is integrated into the local network. The devices (for instance FRITZ!Mini or FRITZ!Media) automatically communicate via Universal Plug & Play (UPnP AV).

Enable energy-saving mode for USB hard drives

The energy saving mode can be used only for USB hard drives. The USB controller installed in the hard drive housing must support this function. USB storage media based on flash memory, or other removable media, are not supported.

Click the "Apply" button to implement your changes to the settings.

General Tips for Using USB Devices

  • If more than one USB device without its own power supply is connected to the FRITZ!Box, please note that, in accordance with the USB specification, the total current consumption may not exceed a value of 500 mA. Otherwise unspecified errors on the USB devices or even damage to the FRITZ!Box may occur.
  • Before removing the USB storage device from the FRITZ!Box, select the "Safely Remove" button in the FRITZ!Box user interface to prevent losses of data.
  • To avoid damage to the FRITZ!Box or the USB storage device, you should only operate USB storage devices that require more than one USB port for operation (for instance hard drives with a Y cable) if they have their own power supply, or use them at a USB hub with its own power supply.
  • The FRITZ!Box can not defend the USB memory from external influences. Thus such phenomena as voltage spikes during storms may occur, and writing to older USB memory devices may corrupt the data structure due to a high number of defective structures. In such cases a complete loss of data may occur. Therefore we recommend always backing up the USB memory content just in case data are lost on the USB storage device.
  • Note that UMTS modems can have very high power consumption. We recommend that a UMTS modem always be operated on an active hub with its own power supply rather than directly on the FRITZ!Box.
  • AVM expressly advises against performing firmware updates for USB devices connected to the computer via the USB Remote Connection on the FRITZ!Box.
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