How to connect your NAS directly to your PC

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Routers and switches are typically used to connect NAS, PCs, servers, SBCs, and other computing devices over a local network. However, there are several reasons why you might want to forego a router/switch and connect two devices directly via their Ethernet ports. Maybe you don't want other devices on the network to access sensitive files. Or maybe you've finally upgraded to 10GbE NICs but are limited by the slower speeds of your switch's SFP+/RJ45 jacks. Whatever your reasons, here's a detailed guide on how to pair your NAS with a PC over Ethernet.



I used the TrueNAS scale for this tutorial, but the overall process is the same regardless of your NAS.


Setting up a static IP for your PC

Before optimizing the NAS settings, you need to create a static IP for the network interface between your PC and the NAS.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Run.
    How to open the Run window using the Start button

  2. Input ncpa.cpl in the Open bar and beat OK.
    The command to open network connections in Windows 11

  3. Right-click on the Ethernet adapter connected to the NAS and select Characteristics.
    Opening Ethernet adapter properties in Windows 11

  4. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
    Changing Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) settings in Windows 11

  5. Turn on the Option field next to the Use the following IP address: Option, fill in the (static) IP address, Subnet maskAnd Default gatewayand press Save.
    Setting a static IP in Windows 11


Setting up a static IP for the NAS

About the web user interface

If you choose the easier method first, you will need to use two Ethernet cables with your NAS if you want to change the network settings in your NAS: one to pair the NAS with a router/switch and another to connect it to your PC. Assuming you have both sets of cables connected to the respective devices, you should follow the steps below to set a static IP for the storage server:

  1. Register with Web user interface Enter your login information and go to network Tab.
  2. Tap the Edit Symbol next to the interface that connects your NAS to your PC.
    Changing the network interface settings in the TrueNAS Scale web interface

    In most cases, this is the interface that does not IPv4 address.

  3. Deactivate DHCP and click on the Add Button next to the Alias Tab.
    Disabling DHCP in the TrueNAS Scale Web UI

  4. Enter the static IP address followed by Subnet mask for the NAS and press the Save Button.
    Adding a static IP address in the TrueNAS Scale web UI

  5. Enter the New IPv4 standard gateway and press Register.
    Adding an IPv4 Default Gateway in the TrueNAS Scale Web UI

  6. Choose Test changes and check the Confirm Option before pressing Test changes again in the pop-up dialog box.
    By pressing the Test Changes button in the TrueNAS Scale web interface


Without web user interface

If you only have a single Ethernet jack or can't connect your NAS to a switch, you can connect your NAS to a keyboard, mouse, and monitor to set up the static IP. Although TrueNAS Scale allows you to do this via the CLI, not all NAS manufacturers support this feature for their pre-built enclosures, so you'll need to check beforehand.

  1. Knock 1 on the TrueNAS CLI to Network interface Page.
    Opening the network interface in the TrueNAS Scale CLI

  2. Select the Network interface connected to your PC.
  3. Sentence ipv4_dhcp To NOenter the static IP address (with the Subnet mask) next to aliasand press Save.
    Setting a static IP in the TrueNAS Scale CLI

  4. Knock A to apply the changes and P to save the new network interface settings.


Connect to the NAS using the new static IP

Once you switch to the new static IP, you will find that the NAS is no longer accessible from the old IP address, so you will need to use the static IP address to log into the NAS's UI.

  1. Enter the new IP address into your browser and log in to the web interface again.
  2. Click on Go to network settings in the pop-up window.
    Click the “Go to Network Settings” option in the TrueNAS Scale web interface.

  3. Press Save to confirm the changes.
    Saving network settings changes in the TrueNAS Scale web interface


An easy way to create a one-to-one connection between your PC and NAS

If you've followed all the steps correctly, you'll be able to transfer files to and from the NAS without the need for any special networking accessories. While this configuration shouldn't be a problem if your workspace only includes a NAS and a PC, you'll need to invest in a dedicated router—or better yet, a switch—if you want to use your NAS as a dedicated storage, file sharing, and backup server for all of your devices.

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