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View Full Version : "LAN in a bag"...what do you think?


PopeKevinI
06-23-2006, 10:29 AM
So I've got it in my head to put together a bag containing everything we use in a LAN.

I'm going to have to put something rigid in the bottom of the bag to make sure airflow is good. If I need to, I'll figure out a way to stack in "shelves" to seperate the components. I haven't decided what material to use just yet.

On the bottom, there will be a 24-port switch and power strip. I'm going to punch grommets through the bag into the pockets. The long pocket on the side will have six grommets, each one with four patch cables run through it. One end pocket will have the power cord, the other end I haven't found a use for yet.

On top of the switch will be the other network hardware. I'm wanting to put in a router for DHCP and connecting to whatever broadband is available at the site. I'm also thinking about adding a WAP to act as a bridge. If I can, I'll do it all with a Linux box with a wireless card. That's yet to be determined. If I use Linux, the PC will be older low-power hardware and boot off a CF card.

Above that, I'm thinking about putting in a simple file server, just something to carry driver and game updates, as well as any freeware games that are fun for LANs.

What do you guys think of this? I got the idea because I got tired of unpacking my LAN party stuff every time we had one, and thought it would be cool to have an easy way to set up. Just plug in the power, push a couple of buttons to turn on the servers, and plug in the PCs.

Would you add/change anything?

ICE_9
06-23-2006, 10:56 AM
Any chance of making this into a tiny rack cube or something of the sort? Making it easy access to all components instead of digging through a bag.

Mohonri
06-23-2006, 11:51 AM
I'd suggest building it into a tool box. That way, you have a portable, inexpensive, strong (choose it wisely!) case with a handle on top for easy moving.

Hey, that sounds like a great modding project....it would be great for sticking a NAS into as well. If you live anywhere on the gulf/east coast and have to evacuate, take all your storage with you without having to take your computer with you...

movax
06-23-2006, 11:56 AM
I like the toolbox idea...it would be sweet if all your LAN hardware was 1U or similary sized...you could just stack the guys up: Switch(s), an ipcop router in an old P3 1U box, a fileserver box that contains patches/updates, and one or more additional 1U boxes to run dedicated servers on. There's your LAN rack. :D

PopeKevinI
06-23-2006, 12:04 PM
1U boxes are usually too deep. I'm looking for small.

Two reasons I'm not looking at a toolbox right now:

1) I don't have one

2) I haven't seen one that would have a good place to store the cables like my bag has.

Besides, I like the bag for making it easy to carry; the strap is nice to sling it over my shoulder.

movax
06-23-2006, 12:30 PM
1U boxes are usually too deep. I'm looking for small.

Two reasons I'm not looking at a toolbox right now:

1) I don't have one

2) I haven't seen one that would have a good place to store the cables like my bag has.

Besides, I like the bag for making it easy to carry; the strap is nice to sling it over my shoulder.Ah, I see. In any case, I think you'd have to have the following:

1. Router (ipcop preferably, you can attach a wireless router with DHCP off, etc to this for use as a WAP)
2. Switch(s) - duh.
3. Fileserver - easiest way? Just any old box running Apache, post the IP for all LAN'ers to see, they can download whatever patches they need.
4. Dedicated server(s)

PopeKevinI
06-24-2006, 07:34 AM
4. Dedicated server(s)

Yeah, I forgot about that. Of course, if they require much power, I'd probably want them somewhere besides in the bag for heat concerns. Maybe have one unit that lifts out :)

Oneos
07-20-2006, 03:47 PM
Boblbee by CrimsonSky (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/index.php?module=photoshare&func=showimages&fid=8)

Worklog (http://www.gruntville.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8747&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0) (To view it, you need to go to www.gruntville.com/phpBB2 and login/register, then follow this link.)

This might give some inspiration.