Minimum software yet connectivity/network?

[Sooner Al [MVP]]

Is it possible, and how would it be done, to connect two computers so the
primary computer (which is on the internet) uses the hard drive of the
lesser computer, yet the latter has just the software to run the network.
I'm thinking of connecting the two so I can use the hard drive in the
secondary computer for storage.

Well if I understand you correctly why not just install the base OS on the
second PC, ie. the PC you want to use as a file store, and setup the network
between the two. You would need an ethernet card in each PC and a crossover
cable. Then simply map the drive. Just don't add any applications beyond
that. Do make sure you keep the machine fully patched.

An alternative is one of the new NAS devices made by Linksys and others.
Here is an example from Linksys...

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...nksys/Common/VisitorWrapper&lid=1923822279B71

--

Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
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[Shawnews]

Is it possible, and how would it be done, to connect two computers so the
primary computer (which is on the internet) uses the hard drive of the
lesser computer, yet the latter has just the software to run the network.
I'm thinking of connecting the two so I can use the hard drive in the
secondary computer for storage.