Network File Setup

[Noise]

I have just expanded the number of computers and want to know how other people setup their file systems so that there is an easily accessible and quick way for multiple workstations to access files for rendering, photoshop work and post production ?

 

Specifically, photoshop work - due to the large files being moved about.

 

thanks

 

N

[AJLynn]

I have a setup of multiple computers without a dedicated file server, but one has much more disk space than the rest. The one with more space has a shared folder structure, with a base directory that is shared and all working files go in that heirarchy. I've used "map network drive" to give that folder the same drive letter on all machines, including the one it's sitting on (eg \\computername\share refers to c:\share on one machine and maps to q:\ on all; all scene files, render output, maps, etc. are referenced as q:\...)

[bokkins]

my idea for this set-up is a file server (1 dedicated pc that can live without a monitor nor mouse-keyboard). several gig hard drives, which everybody can access. you can still save on your local pc's, but at the end of the day, be sure that you tranfer them to this "file server.

[Noise]

Thanks guys but, what about photoshops files ? Are they not very slow ?

[AJLynn]

I use it for Photoshop files, unless they are very large (e.g., I have some Sanborn comps that are over 150MB) 100Mbit is good enough. For the large files you'll be waiting several seconds extra for reads and writes, but it's still not going to kill you.

[jer25]

This is really late but I was just searching this same situation and found this link. Hopefully it will be helpful to someone in the future.

 

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?siteID=123112&id=5581724&linkID=9241177