Remote access of EX4100 as mapped drive possible?

Yes, remote access of the WD My Cloud EX4100 as a mapped drive is possible, but it requires specific configurations and understanding of its limitations. The EX4100 is a network-attached storage (NAS) device designed primarily for local network use, but WD also provides features that enable access over the internet. However, mapping it as a network drive remotely (i.e., outside your home or office LAN) takes some effort and may require third-party tools or advanced setup.

1. Local Network Mapping (Simple Case)

On a local network, mapping the EX4100 as a network drive is straightforward. Using Windows Explorer or macOS Finder, you can access the EX4100 using its IP address or device name (e.g., \\192.168.1.xxx or \\WDMyCloudEX4100). From there, you can right-click and map the shared folder as a network drive for seamless access and file management.

2. WD MyCloud.com and Mobile Access

WD provides MyCloud.com for browser-based remote access and mobile apps (My Cloud for Android/iOS). This platform allows you to log in and browse your files securely over the internet. However, it does not support traditional drive mapping. You can upload/download files but can’t use these as mapped drives in File Explorer or Finder directly.

3. WD Discovery (Discontinued for EX Series)

WD previously offered WD Discovery software, which allowed mapped drive access via MyCloud.com login credentials. However, WD discontinued this functionality for the EX4100 and other My Cloud NAS devices in 2022. As a result, mapped drive access via this tool no longer works for EX4100 in most regions.

4. Using VPN for Remote Drive Mapping

To truly map the EX4100 as a drive over the internet, the most secure and effective solution is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). By setting up a VPN server on your home router or a supporting NAS function (some EX4100 models allow VPN services like OpenVPN), your remote device can securely connect to your home network. Once connected via VPN, the EX4100 will behave as if it’s on the same LAN, and you can map it just like you would locally.

Steps:

Set up OpenVPN on your EX4100 or home router.

Export the VPN configuration files.

Install a VPN client on your remote PC/laptop.

Connect using the VPN credentials.

Access EX4100 via its local IP or device name and map the drive.

5. Third-Party Solutions

Some users also turn to third-party tools like:

NetDrive or Mountain Duck: For mapping WebDAV or FTP as a drive.

Resilio Sync or Syncthing: For folder sync between NAS and remote devices.

These tools can work with the EX4100 but may require enabling services like FTP, WebDAV, or SSH on the device, which introduces security risks if not configured correctly.

Conclusion

Remote drive mapping of the EX4100 is not supported natively via WD tools anymore, but you can still achieve it using a VPN setup. This method is secure and preserves the functionality of traditional mapped drives, allowing seamless remote file access. Always ensure strong authentication and firewall rules when enabling remote access features on your NAS.