Using free space on multiple hard drives as a NAS

12 Oct 2007 4:28 PM

chazz

We have a number of computers running the bare min install of XP along with a
few basics like java, messenger etc. Problem is all the hard drives is 60-80
gig so we have alot of unused space.

The idea would be to securely partition off percentages of each
workstation/server on our network, and basically create a huge cloud of
storage space, available for backups or whatever.

More mission critical stuff could be prioritized to priority locations, but
in general files could be anywhere in the cloud. Since the partitions are
secure, prying eyes can't even see what is being stored in their own drive.

Is this possible?

12 Oct 2007 11:22 PM

Jack (MVP-Networking).

Hi
Their are concoction that can do something like this. However No matter what
there would be vulnerabilities and management issues.
In a world that 1GB of Hard disk drive space goes for 25cents, it seems more
of a Psychological issue for people who can Not stand few unused GB of Disk
Space rather than a viable technological solution.
Given the current prices of Network Storage (NAS) it does not really pay to
go this route.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

Show quote

"chazz" <ch***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0819344C-0438-4E3A-B8C0-82F1A7A97B21@microsoft.com...
> We have a number of computers running the bare min install of XP along
> with a
> few basics like java, messenger etc. Problem is all the hard drives is
> 60-80
> gig so we have alot of unused space.
>
> The idea would be to securely partition off percentages of each
> workstation/server on our network, and basically create a huge cloud of
> storage space, available for backups or whatever.
>
> More mission critical stuff could be prioritized to priority locations,
> but
> in general files could be anywhere in the cloud. Since the partitions are
> secure, prying eyes can't even see what is being stored in their own
> drive.
>
> Is this possible?
>

13 Oct 2007 1:02 PM

si

And old PC, Couple of large Drives and
http://www.freenas.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=22

Two of these and "Replicate" the data using Rsync
and broadband and .....

Show quote

"chazz" <ch***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0819344C-0438-4E3A-B8C0-82F1A7A97B21@microsoft.com...
> We have a number of computers running the bare min install of XP along
> with a
> few basics like java, messenger etc. Problem is all the hard drives is
> 60-80
> gig so we have alot of unused space.
>
> The idea would be to securely partition off percentages of each
> workstation/server on our network, and basically create a huge cloud of
> storage space, available for backups or whatever.
>
> More mission critical stuff could be prioritized to priority locations,
> but
> in general files could be anywhere in the cloud. Since the partitions are
> secure, prying eyes can't even see what is being stored in their own
> drive.
>
> Is this possible?
>