NetGear WNDR3800 Cloud & an external hard drive

I purchased a Netgear WNDR3800 which has the "Cloud" capability. (I am a astute technologically but please forgive me because I am still virgin to all this Cloud stuff).

I have a home security monitoring system that is connected into a DVR/external hard drive.

I have hooked the NetGear into the external hard drive via an Ethernet Cable.

The NetGear Genie recognizes that the hard drive is connected via blue-line (Ethernet) however I am unable to access anything off of the hard drive when I go to the NetGear ReadyShare website.

I called the NetGear technical support line and after speaking to someone whose English was understandable enough through the accent, I got the jist that the only way for the NetGear to recognize the hard drive is via the USB port NOT the Ethernet the way that I have set it up.

So, in my searchings for rectifying the situation I have found that, albeit the most simplest resolution in my mind, a Male-Male USB cable is not going to resolve the issue for me. I have found mixed opinions for an Ethernet/USB adapter and so, here I am.... trying to sort all this out prior to my vacation which is approaching rapidly (hence the desire to access via the cloud)....

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Sincerely,
A Smart Blonde.....(okay okay it's a dye job I'm really a dirty blonde!)