Distributed Data Storage on a LAN?

AgentSmith2 asks: "I have 8 computers at my house on a LAN. I make backups of important files, but not very often. If I could create a virtual RAID by storing data on multiple disks on my network I could protect myself from the most common form on data failure - a disk crash. I am looking for a solution that will let me mount the distributed storage as a shared drive on my Windows and Linux computers. Then when data is written, it is redundantly stored on all the machines that I have designated as my virtual RAID. And if I loose one of the disks that comprise the raid, the image would automatically reconstruct itself when I add a replacement system to the virtual RAID. Basically, I'm looking to emulate the features of hi-end RAIDS, but with multiple PCs instead of multiple disks within a single RAID subsystem. Is there any existing technologies that will let me do this?"

Comments

Re:Rob Malda caught in circle jerk--kills self

[danny256]

Does anyone else find it funny that this was modded redundant?

aw geeze.

[nbvb]

RAID != Backups.

If you don't understand why, just put your Packard Bell back in the box and ship it back.

Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer.

Easy 2 steps

[bigjnsa500]

This is how you do it in two easy steps:

1. Trash 7 of the computers (the ones you don't really use but keep around for the geek factor). Replace with a nice little external 300 gig Firewire or USB2.0 drive. You can take it with you wherever you go.
2. With 8 computers on your LAN, you definitely need to get out and get some. Get a girlfriend!