The router is one of the basic devices in a large number of homes. It is practically present in all homes today since it is the basic door that serves as a link to the network of networks and is also basic for all devices in the connected home.
The router is an element to which we normally connect wirelessly thanks to WiFi or in some cases using the network cable thanks to the RJ45 port and the Ethernet cable. However, if we look at the back, there is a type of connection that can go unnoticed, and if we know how to use it, it can significantly expand the capabilities of the router.
This is the USB port. A type of connection present in many models on the market (in the routers given away by operators it is not so common). A type of connector that is not usually paid much attention and that nevertheless It could be the key for our router to have some extra functions that otherwise I wouldn’t have.
Create a private cloud
One of the most powerful uses that a USB connection allows on the router is to create a private cloud. Content stored on a USB flash drive, whether a pendrive or hard drive, can be made wirelessly accessible to a large number of devices.
You can configure a media server through your own hard drive or USB memory to play audio and video files from any device. It will be necessary, however, that our router’s software allows us to configure the storage system as a multimedia server. We can check this from the router’s configuration page itself.
This way you can use an application like Kodi or Plex to access files from anywhere of video, photo or music that can be played from a television or a mobile phone.
But the uses that can be given to it do not end there to share files and devices with other people at home and thanks to the USB port, You can connect the printer so anyone can print a document without having to go to the printer. You can print a file directly while you are comfortably sitting on the couch.
The vast majority of printers on the market have a WiFi connection, which makes it easy to print documents from anywhere. But if our printer does not have WiFi, The presence of the USB connection on the router can remedy this defect.
To make it discoverable, you will have to revisit the router configuration page and see if our system includes this option.
As a charging point
Another possibility offered by a USB connection on the router is to use it as a charging point when we do not have a plug nearby or simply, the router’s USB socket is the best solution at that time. Even with its limitations (it requires much more power than that offered by the 5W of a USB port), it can be the perfect substitute for the classic mobile charger.
In this sense, we are going to encounter an important limitation and that is that the router’s USB port will not offer the same charging power (only 5 W) that, for example, the mobile or tablet transformer has, but for an emergency and when the battery is about to die it can always be of help. In this case, the interesting thing is to turn off the phone for a few minutes so that it charges more quickly.
Connect a 5G modem
This solution works well as a kind of emergency mode in cases where connection problems may arise due to failures in our operator’s network. Although there are routers that support the use of 4G and 5G networks, if this is not the case, and you have a USB port, You can connect a USB modem with a 4G or 5G connection.
Thus, if we are left without an Internet connection via cable from our operator, we can always use the one offered by the modem that we have connected to the USB of the router.
To improve the environment
Related to the topic of power supply and electrical recharging, the router’s USB port can also be used to mount an LED lighting system when there is no outlet nearby and USB charging is supported. Just as you can use the USB port on your TV, the same connection on the router can be used to power a light or an LED strip that consumes little.
But that’s not the only thing it’s for and there are small fans that work via USB (I have one at home and it’s quite effective) that can be connected to this port on the router to make them work and in this way leave a free socket or not. depend on the mobile charger.
To update the router
The other great use that can be given to the router’s USB port is to check for updates and if necessary, update the router with the latest firmware released by the brand (if the router does not support online updating, of course).
The manufacturer or the operator may release updates that, as a general rule, must be downloaded from the website correspondent. With the file downloaded, simply move it to a USB stick and begin the process.
In this case the main thing is to access the settings (usually with the address 192.168.1.1) to access the settings and configuration and look for the section that checks if there is a pending update and proceed, following the steps indicated.
To create backup copies
Taking advantage of the fact that it can be connected to the router, via USB, a hard drive or a memory, this storage can be used to create a recovery drivein which a backup copy can be created.
It is possible to use a storage drive connected to the router as a recovery system or backup. To do this, you must have specific software that allows you to periodically create these backup copies and that they are done wirelessly to the USB memory connected to the router.
Via | The Spanish
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