Attempt to Reuse Used-PCs as Distributed Storage

Storage for storing data is indispensable. If a storage
capacity becomes insufficient, we can increase its capacity by adding
new disks. It is, however, difficult to add a new disk when a
budget is not enough. On the other hand, there are many unused
idle resources such as used personal computers despite those use
value. In order to solve those problems, used personal computers can
be reused as storage. In this paper, we attempt to reuse used-PCs
as a distributed storage. First, we list up the characteristics of
used-PCs and design a storage system that utilizes its characteristics.
Next, we experimentally implement an auto-construction system
that automatically constructs a distributed storage environment in
used-PCs.

Authors:

• Toshiya Kawato
• Shin-ichi Motomura
• Masayuki Higashino
• Takao Kawamura

Keywords:

• Distributed storage
• used personal computer
• idle resource
• auto construction.

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