Access an entity table from both the server and the client

[Diggz]

Hello,

I'm trying to make entities that store constants in an efficient way, thus far the best method I have found seems to be to utilize the entity's table. However, upon trying to optimize the code I made the unfortunate discovery that the entity tables seem to be unable to be accessed from any shared or clientside lua.

The entity in question's code:

if SERVER then
function ENT:Initialize()
 
	self:SetModel( "models/props_interiors/BathTub01a.mdl" )
	self:PhysicsInit( SOLID_VPHYSICS )      -- Make us work with physics,
	self:SetMoveType( MOVETYPE_VPHYSICS )   -- after all, gmod is a physics
	self:SetSolid( SOLID_VPHYSICS )         -- Toolbox
 
    local phys = self:GetPhysicsObject()
	if (phys:IsValid()) then
		phys:Wake()
	end
	self.LSClass = "Generator"
	self.GenType = "Energy"
	self.GenQuantity = "10"
	self.Linked = false
	self.LinkedTo = nil
	self.Active = false
	--self.Wattage = "Unavailable"
end


function ENT:Use( activator, caller )
    return
end

else
	function ENT:Draw()
		self:DrawModel() 
	end
	 
end

These entities are designed to be linked to a central entity, who's entity table contains a table whereupon I store all the entitys that get linked to it. All the to-be-coded entity's have their constants defined in the above way.

In my stool, I'm trying to access these constants declared by the entity's initialize:

function TOOL:LeftClick( trace )
	local ent = trace.Entity
	if (!IsValid(ent)) or (ent:IsPlayer()) then return end
	if ent.LSClass and ent.LSClass != "node" then
		local index = table.Count( self.Objects )
		local Phys = ent:GetPhysicsObjectNum( trace.PhysicsBone )
		self:SetObject( index + 1, ent, trace.HitPos, Phys, trace.PhysicsBone, trace.HitNormal ) --works
		ent:SetColor(Color(0, 0, 255, 200))
	end
	return true

end

However, ent.LSClass is returning nil.

Is there either a similairly efficient methos I can use to store variables on these entities that is networked (The limit of 4 variables means network variables are undesirable as I cannot store a table on an entity) or is there a workaround in order to make the link stool work properly?

[Diggz]

Is there a similair function to store a table? That way I could actually maintain my plethora of variables.

[EvacX]

[QUOTE=Diggz;43509302]Is there a similair function to store a table? That way I could actually maintain my plethora of variables.[/QUOTE]

You should rethink your design if you think you need to actually network an entire table.

[Diggz]

I just need to be able to pull a variable from an entity. However every entity of that type needs it's own variant of that variable.

I'm making a life support esque add on, and thus far I have every generator or storage unit storing a variable identifying it as one or the other. I would like to access that variable from the stool in order to tell whether or not it is a viable linkage candidate.