I have been scouring the net for a solution that I need that this original post could work for. In fact I concluded I may have to build it, and that is how I came across this post.
I started looking at small PCs such as
http://digg.com/linux_unix/Space_Cub...llest_Linux_PC
and
http://www.picotux.com/
The problem that I see is that OSes support USB HOST controllers and not as a USB "client" (for lack of a better word)
In the case of the PicoTux , It would be perfect for me if it had a USB "client" connection, and appropriate linux support.
In My case the software I would need is as follows:
Mini Web Server to change IP address, and to set up which shares on the network the device would have access to (to pass on to the USB host controller)
proper support for the Network interface and USB host controller.
In my case The device would connect to a USB port on a DVD player to stream files from a NAS. In fact the device I envision , would work with ANY device that could use a USB memory or Hard disk.
Maybe something like DSL would do it all , if the problem with the USB client interface (vs host) were resolvable.