Cached CD-ROM Servers vs. CDs on Hard Drive

[Jim Schick]

First off, thanks to those who e-mailed me in response to my inquiry
into setting up a multimedia CD-ROM network. The two avenues suggested
were to go with a CD-ROM server that caches the CD-ROM onto a built-in
hard-drive dedicated to 4 to 6 CDs, thus speeding up transfer rates and
making multimedia available (over a 100base-T LAN)(Merridian and Procom
were two brands suggested). The other suggestion was to buy a 9 gig or
larger SCSI hard drive which will hold about 10 to 12 CDs and copy the
entire CD to the hard drive. We've done this in our periodicals area,
and are offering access to Reader's Guide, SIRS, Business Abstracts, as
well as other non-multimedia CD-ROM titles. Here's my question: what is
the advantages and disadvantages of offering access one way or the
other? I think the maintenace would be higher initially setting up a
hard drive and copying the CDs then mapping the drives, etc. However,
cost is lower now for a 9-15 gig hard drive than for a CD-Server. Any
thoughts? I'll share results with the list.

TIA

--
Jim Schick
Automation Specialist
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
(913) 231-0594
jschick at tscpl.lib.ks.us