Sharing a DVD on a network

Newbeitguy · Jul 23, 2014

We have 20 desktops and 5 laptops on wifi and all networked through a cisco 26 port gigabit Smart Switch connected to a DSL router.

USAFRet · Jul 23, 2014

Burn it to an ISO file, and save the ISO in a common shared folder.

Ytyoussef · Jul 23, 2014

Wouldn't this work: https://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=13067 ?

USAFRet · Jul 23, 2014

Ytyoussef :

Yes it would. But only 1 DVD at a time, the disk that is actually in the drive.

danny2000 · Jul 23, 2014

Yes, that would work also...but keep in mind that that computer would need to be on whenever someone wanted to use the DVD.

What is the purpose of wanting to share the DVD? Just to install a program or to share a DVD movie.
If it is just to install a program, then the method that you posted to is fine.
If it is for a movie, training video or something like that, then the .iso creation is a good idea as mentioned by USARef.

If it is just something like a a single file video or something, then I would just copy the file from the dvd to a shared area without the .iso creation.

Newbeitguy · Jul 23, 2014

danny2000 :

will either option allow me to have multiple users on the network access the iso or shared dvd at the same time? If so which one and will their be any lag/delay because of the number of users?

USAFRet · Jul 23, 2014

Newbeitguy :

This depends a lot on the configuration of the box hosting this.
Multiple users accessing the same large file, all at different spots on the file...

What are you actually trying to do?

Newbeitguy · Jul 24, 2014

We have an educational dvd and several classrooms access it. We currently carry it from class to class but want an easier way to view and access it also to prevent damaging it.

USAFRet · Jul 24, 2014

Newbeitguy :

Then writing that ISO to a hard drive and sharing that folder would seem to be the solution. Multiple clients (classrooms) trying to access a shared physical DVD drive at the same time will be disastrously slow.

Newbeitguy · Jul 24, 2014

Sweet. Next question wtf is an iso and how do I convert a dvd to an iso.

USAFRet · Jul 24, 2014

Newbeitguy :

An ISO file is a representation of what exists on a CD/DVD, but living on a hard drive. Many free applications will write an ISO file from a physical CD, and save it to the hard drive in the folder of your choice.

My long time favorite - CDBurnerXP

Newbeitguy · Jul 24, 2014

OK cool, but now next question which is better using one of the current pcs on the network to share the folder or should i get a NAS Server? Or an actual server with like windows server 2008?

USAFRet · Jul 24, 2014

Newbeitguy :

That is a whole different question, with a whole different set of requirements and pre-questions.

I suggest you start a new thread on this.
Budget, location, how many users/clients, actual use case.

It may be as simple as a Windows 7 box with a shared folder, or as complex as a Server 2008/2012 client/server setup

Newbeitguy · Jul 25, 2014

USAFRet :

Newbeitguy :

That is a whole different question, with a whole different set of requirements and pre-questions.

I suggest you start a new thread on this.
Budget, location, how many users/clients, actual use case.

It may be as simple as a Windows 7 box with a shared folder, or as complex as a Server 2008/2012 client/server setup

OK thanks will start another thread. Thanks all of you guys for the info.

Newbeitguy · Jul 25, 2014

Here is the thread.
Help setting up a school server

danny2000 · Jul 25, 2014

Newbeitguy :

Not exactly language that I would expect from someone working at a school or education of any sort.

Newbeitguy · Jul 25, 2014

danny2000 :

True sorry.

danny2000 · Jul 25, 2014

If there already is a network in place at the location, which I would guess that there is, then I would telephone your Help Desk to get you started.

Most companies and schools already have a network setup along with a user's home directory (accesible by only that user and of course I/S or I/T) and also a group share. Both are usually mapped as a drive letter on your own computer each time that you log into any networked computer at work.

Newbeitguy · Jul 25, 2014

danny2000 :

The school had all pc set up by a local company which was mainly for internet use.
School has grown and budget is low as usual so I offered to help find the best solution possible to expand or make use of the network aside from internet use.
I have basic networking knowledge and some server admin experience so I figured most of the available funds can go to upgrades and software needed and I would do the leg work, install and programming at no charge.
The same company is charging an arm and a leg with no discount for the school or probono.
Its for the kids man so we have to do what we can for them.

danny2000 · Jul 25, 2014

Go to someone's computer, specifically, one of the persons who wants to run the DVD, and open up My Computer, Computer, or This PC, depending on the version of Windows, and look at the drive letters for tell-tale signs of group shared drives. Most often, group shared drives are labled something like F:\Teachers\Science\Shared or F:\Teachers\Math\Shared
The F drive letter can be random.

The shared drive letter would be the perfect place to put the .iso image.

Newbeitguy · Jul 25, 2014

No shared drives.
I will and know how to do that but wasnt sure or didnt know about the iso.
I will look for an iso conversion program and convert the cd to it and share it on the drive.

danny2000 · Jul 25, 2014

I would look at more than one user, especially old-timers.

Newbeitguy · Jul 25, 2014

Good idea.

Sharing a DVD on a network

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