External hard drive questions

[crescere]

I just received the Western Digital My Book World Edition backup external hard drive. I thought it would work both with a USB cable or a router. Apparently you can only use it with a router or an Ethernet switch.

I only have one computer I use for internet, and have never seen a reason to have a router. The Ethernet switch is another $30.00 or so. Do they make a cheap Ethernet hub device like for my USB port?

I have been thinking of returning the Western Digital drive and getting the Seagate Free Agent Go Flex which is used via a USB cable.

 

[spacekadet]

They do make cheap routers that are priced in the 20's. You might be able to plug it in a second ethernet port if you have one, but I'm not sure if that will work.