Hello.


I am trying to learn standard methods of preparing
a Web server with its contents on an external network
storage.


The final goal is to prepare a web service carrying
5 - 10TB of multimedia contents for down load.

I am thinking of connecting
1. multiple web servers (for load balancing)
2. multiple storage servers(1-2TB each)

These will be hooked up through one hub so that the
multiple web servers can share the contents.


Assuming the OS is Win2003 or Linux on all machines,
what will be a general communication method to link
these servers ?

I am currently familiar only with the generic
"Windows File Sharing.".. and Samba on Linux.

However, I am imagining there must be some method with
less overhead in the protocol used in such situations
( or did IIS6.0 provide functions to access remote drives
for its [Document root] at all? )


My main reason for leaving the OS open is that although
I prefer Windows because the system will be 
managed by non Unix experts including myself, I am also
a Debian newbie and am willing to take the time to
study more if there are significant advantages.
(Although that will mean, less staff will know
how to maintain it.)


I have read articles on NFS, NAS and SAN (iSCSI) but
all mention about the technology and I could not find
any resources on practical information on what it takes
to setup under each OS.

Any advise or even pointers, I would truly appreciate.
Thank you.

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