Networking Info

[joeswm8]

I am looking to set up a home network off a base PC in the future. i have a couple questions:

possible setup:
Base PC with 2x500 GB HDD in RAID 1
PC1 40GB HDD for OS
PC2 40GB HDD for OS

1)Can all computers access the same files at the same time?
2) can i have apps and games that PC1 and PC2 can access at the same time. Like all play a game stored on the 500GB at the same time?
3)Can PC1 and PC2 access the files on the Base when the Base is off?
4)Can you operate on a 40GB for just the OS on PC1 and PC2 while mooching off the 500 for apps and storage?

thanks, i know a lot about single computers and i want to learn networking. a home network sounds very appealing.

 

[joeswm8]

any help? this networking section sure isnt that active...

 

[Geoff]

1)Can all computers access the same files at the same time?

If the computer where all the files are stored is turned and logged on, then yes.

2) can i have apps and games that PC1 and PC2 can access at the same time. Like all play a game stored on the 500GB at the same time?

You can store the data there, but you would have to actually install it on each PC since data is written to the registry and the Windows folder when you install games, and you also need the game CD in each computer you want to play the game on.

3)Can PC1 and PC2 access the files on the Base when the Base is off?

No, because if the computer is off, it's not able to share files. You could buy a NAS which basically is a hard drive hooked right up to your network, which doesnt need a PC.

4)Can you operate on a 40GB for just the OS on PC1 and PC2 while mooching off the 500 for apps and storage?

Sure can, that actually makes it easier.

 

[joeswm8]

so apps and games cannot be shared? that stinks

so a network is only for file sharing and thats it? you still have to install everything on everything computer but you can only share the files?

theres got to be some way to do a full install of the game on the base PC and access it off PC1 and PC2 right?