Hey everyone!! I am completely new to setting up networks. At the moment I have 4 desktops and a server and I would like to set up something that would allow: 1- Universal login onto all 4 machines so one admin account to be used on all 4, several user accounts etc.. 2- File/Internet/printer sharing All the machines have windows XP installed. Is that the right thing for the server as well?? What is the best way to go around doing this? Thanks
Hi There I would like to help you with this and get your clients and server working together. I can even connect to your network over the interent and fix any problems or setup any required configuration. First of all: Which server operating system software do you have? Regards
I have... not much luck. Nothing goes into explaining what I'd need to do with what I have atm :S i don't understand what you mean :S I am looking for advice on setting up a network... not hiring someone :|
Hmm, I would say connect them all up. Create a WORKGROUP or whatever its called these days. This gives you the say on what is shared. Allow what you want and you should be done?
Hi There Sorry maybe I sounded a bit business like there. No I meant I will help you set it up, for FREE. Either by posts on here, Email or Remote Support. Just tell me what your are aiming to do and with what server OS! Regards
Aha OK I see, sorry about the confusion. Well I have 4 desktops and a server (not sure on the specs yet.) and I would like to set up something that would allow: 1- Universal login onto all 4 machines so one admin account to be used on all 4, several user accounts etc.. 2- File/Internet/printer sharing. With regards to server OS... I am not sure. I think it might have Windows Server 2003. I am sure if it doesn't have that pre-installed I can go for a Linux or Unix based OS. So Where should I start?
Hi There Is this a network that actually exists or one you are designing? What I mean is do the clients and server have an OS? Or is that something you haven't decided yet? If it does exist I would determine whats on the server and clients BEFORE you commence anything. If the clients are XP or other Windows operating systems then getting this to work with a Linux server OS can be tricky. So please confirm client and server OS's Regards
I have all the hardware being transferred from one place to another... so I am in the process of designing it atm. The machines are all formatted coming with a windows XP volume licence so I will be installing windows XP on all. Can I install XP on the server too?
Hi There You CAN install XP on the server but it will then NOT be a client / server network, it will be a peer to peer / workgroup type network which has limitations / restrictions which will not achieve your original aims. As these are XP clients I'd look for a server with Windows 2003 / 2008 in either Standard or Small Business editions. Regards
Hi There A basic outline will be, once you have the server OS installed Set a static private IP on the LAN adaptor Then configure the server as Domain Controller with DNS / DHCP / AD services etc Reboot then start to configure your domain users / computers / groups /OUs etc Configure your server roles such as File / Print etc Configure your client PCs for the domain Thats just a basic outline and it requires more detail for each step which you can do one at a time and check of. Regards
Yeah I was going to buy that today.. which edition do I need?? Standard? Enterprise?? Datacenter?? Web Server?? And does it matter if its a 32bit or a 64 bit?
Hi There I think standard would be appropriate for your needs but here is an editions comparison chart: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/r2-compare-features.aspx I would also recommend 64 bit edition as this will allow for more RAM Also get the edition with Hyper V builtin then you can create an additional fully licensed virtual server. Regards
Why would I need an additional fully licensed virtual server? What do you think of Windows Home Server? Would that be alright?
Hi There An additional VM server would let you split your roles / functions from your Domain Controller. Yes home server will do OK and so will Windows Server 2008 Foundation but there are limitations on these. Regards
Thing is, windows home server is the most affordable option and covers all the things we need to have for the network.