Mapping Network Drives

danmpem · 03-04-2008, 05:44 PM

I am a newbie, so please bear with me. I have an internet connection with multiple static IP connections. I want to have my server on one of the connections with my wireless router on the other, for my computers to have internet. But I also want to map the server as a network drive on my computers. How do I do that? The server is running Windows Server 2003 and the computers are XP. Thanks!

**XtabbedoutX** · 03-04-2008, 08:31 PM

The best way to run multiple IP's is through a Firewall. You will need something to issue IP's on the same subnet if you are going to map drives from 2 different connections.

danmpem · 03-05-2008, 12:52 AM

Hmm, could please elaborate a little more. I thought a firewall was to prevent third party connections to your computer.

**XtabbedoutX** · 03-05-2008, 05:41 AM

I work for a small company maybe 30 end users in the office, 10 users that work from laptops outside of the office and a branch office that supports 1 other user. I use a firewall that actully works as my DHCP, and access point for my VPN.

Because the firewall has the ports 2 WAN, 3 LAN, and an optional Network I can control everything from there. I have Wireless hooked up on LAN2, The main port LAN1 runs the main part of my network.

You can find several firewalls which will make networking much easier in smaller environments. Unless you require a more complicated network e.g. Multiple servers, VOIP, Webservers, etc. The simplest is the best way to go when it comes to maintaining you environment.

danmpem · 03-05-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtabbedoutX

I work for a small company maybe 30 end users in the office, 10 users that work from laptops outside of the office and a branch office that supports 1 other user. I use a firewall that actully works as my DHCP, and access point for my VPN.

Because the firewall has the ports 2 WAN, 3 LAN, and an optional Network I can control everything from there. I have Wireless hooked up on LAN2, The main port LAN1 runs the main part of my network.

You can find several firewalls which will make networking much easier in smaller environments. Unless you require a more complicated network e.g. Multiple servers, VOIP, Webservers, etc. The simplest is the best way to go when it comes to maintaining you environment.

Your set up sounds very, very similar to the one I'm looking for. When you say LAN1 runs the main part of your network, do you mean the server is plugged into LAN1, and the Wireless Router plugged into LAN2?

**XtabbedoutX** · 03-05-2008, 06:58 PM

I drew up a quick layout of how my network is setup. Let me know if this helps and I can answer more ?'s from there.

danmpem · 03-06-2008, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtabbedoutX

I drew up a quick layout of how my network is setup. Let me know if this helps and I can answer more ?'s from there.

Awesome, that helps a lot. How do you configure your firewall, just type in the IP address, like with a router? Also, what software do you recommend for hosting a VPN?

**carsey** · 03-06-2008, 02:27 AM

Alternatively, you could write a batch file that runs when the user logs on the file runs and maps the drive

danmpem · 03-06-2008, 04:35 PM

Where do you think is a good resource to learn how to do that?

03-04-2008, 05:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
danmpem Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 54 OS: XP	Mapping Network Drives I am a newbie, so please bear with me. I have an internet connection with multiple static IP connections. I want to have my server on one of the connections with my wireless router on the other, for my computers to have internet. But I also want to map the server as a network drive on my computers. How do I do that? The server is running Windows Server 2003 and the computers are XP. Thanks!

03-04-2008, 08:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
XtabbedoutX TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,189 OS: Server 2K3 R2 SP 2, Server 2K SP4, XP PRO SP 3, Mac OS X 10.5, iPhone My System	Re: Mapping Network Drives The best way to run multiple IP's is through a Firewall. You will need something to issue IP's on the same subnet if you are going to map drives from 2 different connections.

03-05-2008, 12:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
danmpem Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 54 OS: XP	Re: Mapping Network Drives Hmm, could please elaborate a little more. I thought a firewall was to prevent third party connections to your computer.

03-05-2008, 05:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
XtabbedoutX TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,189 OS: Server 2K3 R2 SP 2, Server 2K SP4, XP PRO SP 3, Mac OS X 10.5, iPhone My System	Re: Mapping Network Drives I work for a small company maybe 30 end users in the office, 10 users that work from laptops outside of the office and a branch office that supports 1 other user. I use a firewall that actully works as my DHCP, and access point for my VPN. Because the firewall has the ports 2 WAN, 3 LAN, and an optional Network I can control everything from there. I have Wireless hooked up on LAN2, The main port LAN1 runs the main part of my network. You can find several firewalls which will make networking much easier in smaller environments. Unless you require a more complicated network e.g. Multiple servers, VOIP, Webservers, etc. The simplest is the best way to go when it comes to maintaining you environment.

03-06-2008, 02:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
carsey Moderator, TSF Articles Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hunwick, Co. Durham England Posts: 10,678 OS: XP Pro SP3 My System	Re: Mapping Network Drives Alternatively, you could write a batch file that runs when the user logs on the file runs and maps the drive __________________ Submit New Articles Here

03-06-2008, 04:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
danmpem Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 54 OS: XP	Re: Mapping Network Drives Where do you think is a good resource to learn how to do that?