Mission Impossible?--two computers use the same hard drive

[bigtiger]

I have couple computers at home. I am trying to think of the following scenario. Those experts tell me if it is possible.

1, I put couple hard drive in a big hard drive box.

2, All computers can access those drives as if they are local. Ideally, all hard drives should be able to support a speed that is up to USB2 standard.

I know technically it can be done through server-client network. But the speed will be contraint to the connection speed of local LAN.

So, are there any other ways?

[teetee]

NAS
http://www.answers.com/topic/network-attached-storage
iSCSI
http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=iscsi&gwp=13

I would use the traditional client-server method(NFS) since it doesn't require much.

[bigtiger]

Thanks. The NAS is a good idea. I will look into it.

The server-client setup is kind of convenient, but I still I will need a server. As server is kind of bulky, it is not convient to me. But a NAS server would be nice. I imagine it would just like a printer server, right?

[zhenya]

NAS is the way that you want to do this. There are several different methods to choose from. Choose the one that suits you best.

At the most basic level, if you have a desktop that can be left on most of the time, you can add drives either internally or externally and share them on the network. This effectively turns one of your clients into a server, although it's really just semantics.

Alternatively, you can build or buy a dedicated NAS device. They are widely available for purchase these days, even at big-box stores like Best Buy. I built one from old parts I was going to throw away (400mhz PII, 256mb RAM, Linux OS, ancient case/psu, and added some big internal drives).

100mb ethernet can be nearly as fast as USB2 in practice, and a gigabit ethernet network will almost certainly outpace the write capacity of your drives.

[bigtiger]

Use outdated desktop is a good idea. But I suspect how reliable it would be and also it might be noisy. But it is a good idea. Is there a dedicated NAS linux OS that is small and efficient?

[zhenya]

Noise can certainly be an issue (I'm a SilentPC fanatic, so I'm well aware of this). Building my NAS device was actually a part of my quest to remove the noise from my main desktop pc in my office. I'm able to put the NAS in the basement, and now get away with running a small, nearly silent drive in my office system. If you don't have a basement, perhaps you can put it in a closet, or at least somewhere out of the way.

I run Ubuntu linux because the install is very straightforward and configuration is fairly easy if you don't have previous linux experience. The GUI is overkill for my needs, because I don't really use it, but it'd be hard to say it's inefficient. Another option is ClarkConnect, which is designed in part to run NAS devices, and can be completely managed through a web interface.

[bigtiger]

I am also a SilentPC fanatic. That is why I junked all my desktops. Now, I even junked my T43 because of the fan noise and use X41 soly.

I am one or two years away of owning a house with basement. So for the moment, I will have to tolerate with any noise that a NAS might incur.

I have used Redhat for a few years in the past. Ubuntu should be a problem. For now, I really like small softwares that do the job right rather than some junks that are like PeopleSoft that does everything but does NONE excellent. ClarkConnect is a very good idea. I will check into that.

You seem to be extremely knowledgible. CS professor at Cornell?

[zhenya]

Of course you can minimize the noise of even a NAS built from scrap pc parts by choosing quiet fans and hard drives. In fact, if quiet is a priority, you may prefer to build your own, as you'll have more control over what goes into it. I understand that many of the off-the shelf NAS devices have very loud fans.

Thank you for the kind words. I'm not a professor, I work as a field engineer for a small company and one of the many hats I wear is as our IT department.

[christopher_wolf]

I would just go ahead and build my own for a custom NAS solution; same goes for a "Silent" custom desktop PC.

[bigtiger]

I understand that many of the off-the shelf NAS devices have very loud fans.

That is a very valuable piece of information. Today I was looking at some NAS products online. I was almost placing on order. Your information helps me saving the trouble of returning it.

Ok, I will keep an eye on building myself one.