I want to build 2 servers (both running samba) to provide file storage to 2 offices (approx 100 miles apart, linked via DSL) but all data writen to 1 server must also be saved to the other server. Both servers would also allow users to access the data via a VPN thus allowing 1 office with a failed server to access the other server via the vpn and still see the data from both offices. I currently have 1 server working but we want to add the second office to the system. (Currently 1 office has 10 users and the second office has 1 user connected via VPN ) but the second office will have 20 within 12
months
and the first will have 35 soon ))
Has anyone done anything like this ?
I am currently synchronizing multiple office locations using a program called unison. Unison (http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~bcpierce/unison/) is a very well written program that can perform 2 way file synchronization. There are many configurable options with unison and I recommend that you check it out. In each office I have a PII350 128RAM Fedora or CentOS server running unison and the files are accessed via samba. I also configure samba to hide (veto) all of the temporary files used during synchronization. For redundancy I place a slave server with each master server that backs up all the user data / file system using rsync. This way if one of my $5 PII servers catches fire I can automatically switch over with no downtime for the users.
The only downfall I have encountered is with Autocad files not properly reading the synchronized .dwl lock file and more than one user working on the same file. As a work around for this I have configured Unison to keep a backup of the last 20 versions of a file. This way I can always hit my backups to retreive lost data. As a side note, if anyone knows a work around for the stubborn autocad dwl lock file let me know :))!
In any case my implementation has allowed me to synchronize file systems between 4 offices (3 in Canada, 1 in USA), using recycled hardware that was otherwise going to be donated/trashed.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
AJ Darton, B.COMM CIS System Consultant