Two computers using same library location across network?

[Forum Joe]

Hello, I need some technical help and I want to know if this is possible.

I have my main gaming PC desktop with my entire steam library on it. I have another computer connected to the main one through a gigabit ethernet connection, but HDD space is tight. I would like to know if I can set it so that the second computer can access the games off the first one through the network. I'm happy to play around, but my library is huge and I can't really back up the entire thing. I want to make sure it won't corrupt anything on the main computer.

[Forum Joe]

So far I haven't played around much with having one in offline mode, running both computers in online mode (not simultaneously). However, I have had a game get updated and the second computer detected it just fine and run the updated version without a problem.

[Rove]

I think you could use remote access ( like IT support will sometimes use to fix your computer ) to stream the games to yourself. You just need to know how to do remote access across your network and you might need software for it, not sure.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/9302/use-remote-desktop-to-access-other-computers-on-a-small-office-or-home-network/

[Forum Joe]

No, there's no way commercial Remote Desktop software can handle the video throughput required for gaming.

[Satoru]

Forum Joe の投稿を引用：

So far I haven't played around much with having one in offline mode, running both computers in online mode (not simultaneously). However, I have had a game get updated and the second computer detected it just fine and run the updated version without a problem.

Having both in online mode there is a possiblity to hit a run ocnditio nwhere both games try to update it at the same time. It's just a possibility you have to be aware of.

Mostly the issue is the scenarios where two computers try to do something to the file at the same time. Since both assume they have 'exclusive' access to the files, this may lead to bad I/O behavior.

I'ts something that likely will wokr 95% of the time. I'ts that 5% hwere sometihng really really weird could happen. That's not even taking into account that even gigabit ethernet still doesn't really approach good hard drive speeds.

[Rove]

Forum Joe の投稿を引用：

No, there's no way commercial Remote Desktop software can handle the video throughput required for gaming.

It's built right into Windows Professional I think. Yes it can handle Video. So can the commercial software I linked previously, it is specifically advertised for video game streaming and can do it over the Internet as well as over your LAN.

There is a commercial service called OnLive that also offers this over the Internet only.

[duplissi]

but the input lag.....

[Rove]

People use OnLive and the input lag there is significantly higher.

[LeoGetz]

This is all completely unnecessary dribble.

A. ) Remote desktop software is MORE than capable of delivery a game stream to local network computers, let alone streaming a video. If you haven't been able to, then it's because your internet is not capable of the bandwidth expectations.

B.) There is too much work being added to this solution. Run the installer for your game of choice, choose the network location that you want to save your games within. Once completed, send a shortcut of the .exe to each computer that you plan to play it on.

Done.

[Rove]

Welcome to the necropost.

Steam now has in-home streaming built in....
As well as family sharing.