Serving files across multiple dirves/servers

goobers

Hi,

I have a question on how to implement a system that offers files across multiple drives/servers. There are two scenarios, the first being the simpler of the two (I think).

Lets say I have a website where users can upload a lot of images, now it's all good until I run out of drive space, so I can't store them all on the same drive. Now, I can write a class that can handle that issue, lets say: maximum of 1000 files per folder, and minimum of 500mb left on a drive before moving on to the next one. Then store the absolute path of the file in the database.

Now my issue is this: how do i serve the content, I am running windows server 2003, and my htdocs file resides in c:\apache\htdocs.. but lets say i have an image in D:\foo\image123.jpg How do I serve that file relative to my website (i.e. <img src=......> ) I need a method that will be easy to expand on. meaning i can just pop in another drive in my pc.. and my class will handle the storage, but i need something to handle serving the content..

I hope I'm clear with what I'm trying to say. Lastly, would it be any different if I wanted to serve my files on a different server(s) ?

bpat1434

So you're using Apache.... just add a new alias to your configuration:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    DocumentRoot "C:/apache/htdocs"
    ServerName myserver

Options FancyIndexing
AllowOverride All

alais /img2 "D:/htdocs2"

<Directory "D:/htdocs2">
    Order Allow,Deny
    Allow from all
</Directory>
</VirtualHost>

Now when you go to "localhost/img2" you should see everything you want on drive D.

goobers

That would mean I would need to restart apache every time I wanted to add a new directory. Is that the only way of doing this ?

bpat1434

umm... no. You could make a link between a folder and the other drive. Not sure how to do it exactly on Windows Server, but here's some reading:

Shell-Shocked article

MS Technet Junction function

Hope it helps.

goobers

ah yes, I did not know windows systems had sym links. I guess I will look into that, thanks