Hello, I'm currently trying to setup a network with a storageless server. There are 20 computers (2x1.6 Ghz, 1GB RAM, 160GB sata) and 1 more (outside the room) with the same hardware (so no real "server"). The whole is connected with 10/100 ethernet. Of course, and so sadly, there is not a penny... In order to make a network where any user can access his datas whatever the computer he uses, I'm thinking about the following kind of configuration : - Each client (one of the 20 computers) runs a MBD daemon which shares its HD to the server (the 21st) over the ethernet. - The "server" handle the 3.2TB in a volume group and create the logical volumes with LVM - The "server" also run a NFS daemon - Then each client can grab it's data through NFS. - happiness ... ? ------ I never did such a setup but already see a couple of problems : - each client need some private HD space to, at least, boot enough to let the NBD daemon start. - $10 question : if 20 users login, will the ethernet be fast enough to support the load ? ------ I though about a more manual way (rsync at login/logout) but it implies versionning and above all distribution and mirroring, ... so appears less reliable at first look. Also I can't imagine a way to abstract the storage with lvm with a distributed syncing at log{in,out}.
I would greatly appreciate any ideas, critics, ... Raph PS-1) Not a penny means that it's already a pain to afford a 30€, 24 ports switch (the 20 computers were given last year) So the N.10³ "sata bays" are nothing else than dreams, here. PS-2) I already saw some subjects outside the specific gentoo scope on this list but if this one really makes no sense here, please just kindly precise it so I will conceal forever :)