Single Network partition accross multiple PCs?

FatRakoon · 11 Jun 2006 at 22:15

Dunno if this is possible, or well, its possible, but can it be done.... Hang on, you iwll get what I mean when I put it to you...

Ok, here is the scenario...

I have 7 PCs on my LAN, a further 2 are my main PC and my Wife's PC.

Ok, now, they each have their own HDs right!

Now, what I have done with a few of them, is simply made a network HD, that points to the real parttion of some of the other PCs.

Now, is it possible, that I could setup a folder on each of the other PCs, lets jusrt call it "VNET", and my PC can then access each of the copies of this VNET folder on the other PCs, but as one folder or even virtual partition.

For example,

PC1 has 30GB left on its Partition that has the VNET folder
PC2 has only 20GB

Now, this would then mean, that my PC can see a single partition that has 50GB.

The idea really if its possible, is to set aside say 20GB from each of the LAN PCs, so that I could then have this virtual 140GB ( 7x20 ) partition, that all the LAN PCs will then be able to have access to. Really for things like ISO Images and what not for the games, or Music and Video files etc... Whatever really.

Can you see what I mean there?

Anyone willing to offer anythign on this idea is welcome to a pint on me.

csmager · 11 Jun 2006 at 22:32

I doubt it's possible without writing your own software solution - mainly because I've never heard of anyone doing it, but also because it sounds rather ludicrous:

You will have to have all 7 PCs booted at all times to make the partition work - just rebooting one would presumably mess something up. That provides you with multiple single points of failure.

FatRakoon · 11 Jun 2006 at 23:43

csmager said:
I doubt it's possible without writing your own software solution - mainly because I've never heard of anyone doing it, but also because it sounds rather ludicrous:

You will have to have all 7 PCs booted at all times to make the partition work - just rebooting one would presumably mess something up. That provides you with multiple single points of failure.

ludicrous

???

Ludicrous indeed...

Maybe, maybe not?

I think the idea, while is a little weird, can also have potential too!

Oh, dont get me wrong here, it may very be "Ludicrous" but can you see how I am seeing it?

I am thinking that its sort of like RAID, but over a network kind of thing... You want to add another, shall we call it a NODE, with say, 10GB spare HD space, and already you have this Virtual Network PArtition with another 10GB on it, much like you can add another partition / drive to RAID.

Multiple failure points yes, but then if one PC does indeed go offline, the rest still have their files dont they?

I dont think its really all that bad an idea?

Ok, so at this time, what I am doing is the normal mounting a network from the LAN PC to my own No.2 PC and the LAN PCs access ths PCs drives that way, but I just thought....

Anyway, ludicrous it is then!

Rudeboy · 11 Jun 2006 at 23:48

Sounds like you're after something like either of the following;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centralized_storage_area_networks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATA-over-Ethernet

Personally I'd dedicate one of the machines to being a NAS server as anything else is going to be complicated or expensive.
http://www.freenas.org

Rudeboy · 11 Jun 2006 at 23:54

FatRakoon said:
Multiple failure points yes, but then if one PC does indeed go offline, the rest still have their files dont they?

How would you define which PC files would be written on if treating it as a single data repository? How would you know which files would be stored on what PC and hence what would still be available should any of the systems go down? Files could be spanned across multiple systems (ala RAID 0) meaning that a single failure point would result in an almost complete loss of data availability.

FatRakoon · 12 Jun 2006 at 01:42

Cheers for the links mate... I will check them out later...

Which PC to store the files...?

Well, to be honest, that one is a problem yes, but I only really want READ ability... In the case of one going down, the rest will not ( Should not ) be affected.

I suppose however, if it was possible to have writing ability, then each node will need to have a specific non-changing node number, and once that node has had its quota reached, then it will move on to the next node perhaps?

While yes, this idea is a bit iffy in some ways, and improbable, I still feel that its not impossible... And I even feel that if others had a way to do it, I am sure that while its probably totally useles for 99% of us, I sure think that many will at least have alaugh and give it a go, just for the hell of it.

Probably not though.

As for dedicating a NAS Server, well, mine already has all the files the others may need... Its just that, well, mine has them all, and the LAN Machines have tons of HD space you see, while mine is filling up!