Connecting external drive to router

thank you. i was looking for something like this in order to prevent getting a NAS since i have everything i need (software/items) on my existing external already

The tricky part is finding one for sale. First I had to do a reverse image lookup to find the model, which I found here as Addonics NASU2. I found it on a few other sites like Walmart, but seems they haven't been on sale for over 10 years. I found something else called Pogoplug, but they too seem out of business. All the ones I could find were refurbished. See here. See here for a review. Supports SATA and USB so that will give you more flexibility.

I suggest checking out Reddit's sub on NAS's. See here. I think they will be able to lead you in the best direction on what to buy. Since Pogoplug is out of business, I worry about their support and firmware update process. 

Found one - https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Adapter-Female-Crystal-Network/dp/B098T4BBGY/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3KR343Q0PUG0F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.r7ZYAFinH5KLdozfg5P0wyQ-2aU1ANH0lJbiGBYlxhgNrnRnqYXJUDI5pCgQFqZ5v3bNtoxQl-fXKQOxknwrMrxe2iiNJWI_neAuQ4BLcHobdAKip8QZcWHu95soyR4bLXLgicgwo4GtLw4ShDIiZmG5K8KlZt7ShUWza9L84vCOr8_Lji7_iORxPkE5jFfz8cAvBRr4s_0Xz_1kulq9rfuLsKcRFO9mCMSlUfqE1yw.4DZIlz30DuBx0laUWpTo03v6cTOmvc-jmWj4Lw0JX4k&dib_tag=se&keywords=etherent+router+to+usb+externa%3B&qid=1731886900&sprefix=etherent+router+to+usb+externa+%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-5 

Or this - https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-SNLLMZI-Ethernet-Extension-Extender/dp/B09SG2HYSP/ref=sr_1_24?crid=1WR6YDDS4U2H1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JySq7zIg6VIl2bYL_BBUcAdHtXqKfvk-wa1LppdmzTEtWM8O8RY5Lxh57VXYyU_SaGbwyxfc9_R09c4er2YqvDWjIPaUD8eDkzJoMedDZcOjnqeNniTnGx4DUq_2bwTFiic0hKd2oIMRE_8vgpK78C_LB5O52eMdmt9miH0cc9Uv66BsW-E-VIswDlr8SI1KnJ9KvxLRJqOYuO3FUpfHPgP-5npuVs4Hn9Bpxnb4gP4.pKE6HVRULNYp-xryglCtBtJKcqsYNqQSD-03jw8_ZZ4&dib_tag=se&keywords=ethernet+to+usb&qid=1731886993&sprefix=ethernet+to+usb%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-24 

They are both usb2, I couldn't find usb3

Side note, Toms hardware, ( my go to since 1998) https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/using-external-hdd-with-usb-to-ethernet-adapter.3595393/ 

Nice try, but i don't think any of those will work. The first one is for "This ethernet to usb adapter ONLY allows you to use USB cable to work as ethernet cable to connects USB equipped ADSL modem or router that has USB socket. OR connecting professional surveillance camera to regular usb camera.". Second device is to send USB signal over ethernet. 3rd device is for sending ethernet over USB. None of them can do FTP or any of the other things needed for a NAS on a stick. Think of it like using a adapter to turn a phone cord into a ethernet cord and plugging it into a router and trying to make a phone call.

The SNT SNT-EZNAS mentioned in Tom's Hardware may work, but it's 10/100 and also not sold anymore anywhere I look. Couldn't find a website for SNT either. 

like my question said: I do not have an NAS. I have an adapter cable that convert my usb connection to ethernet. My external drive is USB 3.0. I'm just going to have to resurrect an old laptop and connect the external there and Share it to the network. PITA but oh well.