help wanted on networking - please
 

I have just networked my 2 pc's at home using a router. Works ok, can get email and internet access no problem. Can also share files.
My problem is, I can only access the shared files whilst both pc's are on at the same time, what I would like to do is be able to create a shared drive that I can access files when of the pc's is off.
How do I do this?

All help, advice would gratefully accepted.

KF

Unfortunately, a hard disk drive (HDD) is a powered device. To extract files from a HDD, it needs to have not only power, but a system which allows the HDD to interact with its' environment (operating system, file indexing, data bus, I/O channels etc.).
This means that to extract files from a HDD, the drive needs to be powered, and connected to a computer which is also powered.
Having a hard drive attached to an unpowered computer effectively stops communication between the hard drive and the computer trying to access the files.
I am unaware of any HDD's which are operable without system power.
Compare the situation with having a CD player, an amplifier, and a set of speakers. If the amplifier is turned off, the sound from the CD player will never get to the speakers.
In order for the one computer to access the HDD in the other computer across a network, both machines need to be powered, turned on, and booted.
An option might be to purchase an external drive or storage device. There are many options, personally I would go for a USB device, as they are "hot swappable" ie. you can connect or disconnect the drive without having to shut down, connect/disconnect, reboot to access the drive. A conventional hard drive would do the trick, or alternatively, there are many storage devices available which plug straight into the USB port, and can handle anything up to (maybe higher than) 1GB of data. They are about the size of a short, thick pen, or a couple of batteries, and will connect to any computer with a USB port and the required software installed.
Hope this helps...

Network Attached Storage (NAS) is starting to come available (just plug it into a port on the network - still requires power tho). However, it's outraeously expensive. I seem to remember seeing one reviewed in PCW recently - I thionk it was over £500 for 120GB.

This would do what I think you want:

http://www.iomega.com/direct/product...rd_id=12196655

But it still needs mains power, I guess power over ethernet will come but then you need yet more kit.

I guess if power consumption is a real issue you might save a bit of power using this but that needs to be balanced agaiinst cost.

Have you thought of using Wake on LAN ?

Most modern network card / PC motherboard combinations allow a PC to be remotely switched on over the network. So if you are working on PC "A" and need a file on the drive of PC "B" you just send a "magic packet" to PC B , wait for it to boot and access the file. IF you use VNC and you can then remotely shut "B" down. Obvioulsy would work B to A too.

Assuming you have the right hardware (reasonably likley -if not even a cheap network card can do this.) save for the set up time this option is free.

Best regards

Memetic.

Thanks for this.

Memetic,
The switching on of the other pc over the network, how would I go about it, as this seems to be an ideal solution.
Would this be done using a wizard or other method.

Both pc's have network cards, 1 is running XP and the other is running ME.

:ok:

I just had a search around, and this looks like it might help you on your way:

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article04-101

It will be pretty straight forward to do the wake on LAN between computers on the same network. It gets a little harder to get it to work across the internet - you need to get through the your firewall etc. That's where I stopped last time - I just leave the PC on!

The remote control software can be got here:

www.realvnc.org

There is a good FAQ on the site. There are lots of other versions of this software but these people are the originators.

Have fun

Memetic.


edited to correct a url...

Many thank Memetic,

I will look at it and let you know how I get on.

:ok: