NAS + VPN network issue

VinLieger

Hey repostuing this here to see if i can get any help, already asked in servers and system sub forum, got some answers but nobody was able to follow up when i had more questions


I recently bought a qnap 431 to store a bunch of stuff on, primarily its used as my media storage with it directly connected to my PC which is running as a PLEX server.


The issues are firstly the NAS cannot access the internet, now this isnt a serious problem as i dont really need it to do this however having email alerts in the future might be useful. The real problem is whenever I am connected to my VPN i lose all access to the NAS and from my very basic understanding of networks these two issues are likely linked.


I think the issue is down to static ip addresses and subnet masks but again i have tried and failed to understand these systems and anytime i change something in the network adapters i either lose access to the NAS drive completely or the internet.


Can anyone give any advice or steer me in the direction of a good guide for this stuff?

smuggler.ie

Don't mean to be rude here, but...
connect NAS to router and avoid all this headache, or learn bit more about how network works.

169.254.. is APIPA (also see Wikipedia) range, every network card will self-assign one if there is no serving DHCP - its not default, its random. Further more, each time you restart device it might assign different address from range available( ~65K IP's). If you want your PC to see NAS every time - set it as static IP. Even if you connect it to router - set it on static IP.

Unless you PC is serving as router i don't really see how other devices on LAN network can "talk" to your NAS on 169.254..

VinLieger

smuggler.ie wrote: »

Don't mean to be rude here, but...
connect NAS to router and avoid all this headache, or learn bit more about how network works.

169.254.. is APIPA (also see Wikipedia) range, every network card will self-assign one if there is no serving DHCP - its not default, its random. Further more, each time you restart device it might assign different address from range available( ~65K IP's). If you want your PC to see NAS every time - set it as static IP. Even if you connect it to router - set it on static IP.

Unless you PC is serving as router i don't really see how other devices on LAN network can "talk" to your NAS on 169.254..

Thanks but due to the setup i ultimately want to use which will be an intel NUC directly connected to the NAS and operating as a plex server for all stuff stored on the NAS, just connecting it to the router isnt really an option im happy with.

Im doing my best to learn but havent really found any guides that have helped, if you know of any good ones id appreciate it

smuggler.ie

You didn't provide enough info in other thread hence insufficient response.
If I correctly understand, NUC is on WiFi to your home network and Eth port used for Qnap.
Thing is that these two network interfaces don't know how to talk to each other without intermediary device - router.
You of course could set your NUC to serve as virtual router, however, this adds extra complexity in configuration, I really don't see justification for this.
If this is just "display" need as part of your room design then run extra length of Eth cable from your home network to NAS and be done with it.
Otherwise specify your goals so people here can advise you
You can use your NAS in current setup and make it work but it will be visible to your NUC only.

PS.
Basic rule: ALL "serving" devices ( server, printer, NAS, etc. ) should be set with static IP . Otherwise you looking for trouble.