USB HDD on New ASUS Router

[Roger_Guam]

I think I need to replace my AX-3000 router. I currently have a USB HDD I am using for network storage. It's been a couple years ago, but I had to set up folders and sub-folders via the router dashboard. If I plug this USB into the new router, will the router recognize the files and folders, or will I have to setup a new USB HDD and copy the files and folders? I would need to create the folders via the router dash board and cops the sub-folders and files from my computer via cable or wifi. This would take days and I am worried the new router might make the HDD unreadable on any other device.  Thanks for any advice on this.

Roger

[jzchen]

No you do not need to recopy the HDD, but you may need to set the permissions unless you allow Guest Login.

[Roger_Guam]

Thanks, jzchen. I don't think I was clear.  The file folders on the USB HDD were created on the dashboard of my old ASUS AX-3000. Windows explorer could see the HDD on my LAN, but could not create top level folders. I was able to create sub-folders nd copy files over the LAN with Win Explorer. I am concerned that the new ASUS router will recognize the folders created by the old router and Explorer will have the same access over the LAn?  I think they will, but not sure. The HDD was set up as a SAMBA network disk, ASUS support just talks about AiDisk.

[jzchen]

From experience moving from router to (different) router model there is no issue in accessing the HDD due to the swap, just some firmware versions seem to have different "compatibility".  What I experienced was if Samba was NOT set up to allow Guest Login/Access, it would not allow access to Windows Explorer, (actually even with Guest Login enabled sometimes).

I can't predict whether you'd have trouble or not, but it's only limited by firmware, not the different hardware....

[Roger_Guam]

Solved. I found the answer to my question and am posting in case anone else has the same question.My question was:  if I move a USB HDD set up on one ASUS router to a new ASUS router, will the new router see all the files and folders or will I lose folders and have to set up a new HDD?

I set up a 4TB NAS by plugging a USB HDD into my ASUS AC68U router. The USB HDD is setup as a SAMBA network server. Network discovery must be turned on and SMBv1 Client selected in Windows Services and features for Windows File Explorer to see the USB HDD.b

The top level folders must be created in the router dashboard. File explorer cannot crate top level folders on the USB HDD. Once top level folder(s) are created on the USB NAS, file explorer can access the NAS, create subfolders, add and delete files.

I was concerned that if the new ASUS router didn’t recognize the USB HDD created on the old ASUS router, I might lose a lot of data.

I replaced my AC68U. The new ASUS router was able to see the USB HDD, but Windows file explored couldn’t see it. The problem was I was on a new Windows 11 laptop and had to reactivate SMBv1. I ensured SMBv1 Client was checked in Windows features and functions. I now have full R/W access to the USE HDD via Win File Explorer.