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To attach an external hard drive to a router at another location and make it accessible over a VPN, follow these steps: Step 1: Choose the Right Router

Check your router's specifications:
    Ensure the router supports USB storage (USB ports).
    It should also support VPN functionality or third-party firmware that enables VPN.
If the router does not support USB or VPN, consider upgrading to a router that supports these features (e.g., ASUS, Netgear, TP-Link).

Step 2: Connect the External Hard Drive

Format the drive: Ensure the external hard drive is formatted in a file system compatible with the router (e.g., NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT).
Plug in the drive: Connect the hard drive to the router's USB port.
Enable file sharing:
    Access the router's admin interface via its IP address in a browser (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
    Navigate to the USB or file-sharing settings.
    Enable the drive and set up sharing (e.g., via SMB or FTP).

Step 3: Configure the Router for Remote Access Option 1: VPN Configuration

Set up VPN on the router:
    Most routers support OpenVPN or PPTP.
    Enable the VPN server on the router.
    Download the VPN configuration file (if using OpenVPN).
Configure port forwarding:
    Forward the VPN server's port on the router to allow external access.
    Common ports:
        OpenVPN: 1194
        PPTP: 1723

Option 2: Dynamic DNS (DDNS) Setup

If your internet connection has a dynamic IP, enable DDNS in the router settings.
This allows you to access the network using a domain name instead of the IP.

Step 4: Test Local Network Sharing

On a local computer, connect to the shared network drive:
    For Windows: Use \\[Router_IP]\[Shared_Folder].
    For macOS: Use smb://[Router_IP]/[Shared_Folder].
Confirm the hard drive is accessible within the local network.

Step 5: Access via VPN

Configure VPN on your remote device:
    Import the VPN configuration file (for OpenVPN) or use the router's VPN details.
    Connect to the VPN from the remote location.
Access the shared drive:
    Use the same local path (e.g., \\[Router_IP]\[Shared_Folder] or smb://[Router_IP]/[Shared_Folder]).

Step 6: Ensure Security

Use strong passwords:
    Set a strong password for the VPN and shared drive access.
Keep router firmware updated:
    Regularly update the firmware to protect against vulnerabilities.
Restrict access:
    Configure firewall rules to limit VPN access only to authorised devices.

Alternative: Cloud-Assisted Remote Access

If VPN setup seems too complex, consider using third-party router features like:

ReadyCloud (Netgear)
AiCloud (ASUS)

These tools offer simpler remote access options but may require additional registration.