Networking help needed, please

pwhatley · 12-29-2004, 08:57 PM

[font=Comic Sans MS][size=2]Hi all! I've read (and printed) many of the posts in this forum, and been very impressed with the answers you have given those of us who are network-challenged. I have a problem now. I have recently purchased a Toshiba Satellite M35X-S349 notebook, which I would like to network with our other two (self-built) desktop computers. I purchased a netgear 5-port switch on the advice of a friend, and have an HP Deskjet 6840 (network ready) printer. All three computers are running Windows XP (2-Pro, the notebook is running home). I have managed to get all three computers to see the printer, and all can print fine. I would like to take my old desktop and turn it into a server for our network, as I will be using the notebook as my primary computer (I am a middle-aged full-time student and church webmistress). All computers have the same workgroup name, and different individual names. All show Client for MS Networks, File & Printer Sharing, QoS packet scheduler, and TCP/IP under network connections. I was thinking of installing Windows 2000, at least on the computer I plan to use as a server, but would like to solve this dilemna before I go any further. Also, would it make sense to turn that desktop into a server? What benefits would I gain from it? Would Windows 2000 be a better OS for the server and/or all of the systems? I really appreciate any and all help and suggestions. Oh, I forgot to mention that we will be moving soon, and when we do we will connect to the web via a cable modem (we are currently on dial-up

) -- therefore the netgear switch.
Thanks!

**crazijoe** · 12-31-2004, 07:17 AM

This really depends on what you want to accomplish. The reason for using a server OS is to set up a domain and implement security in a more managable way. Seeing how small the network is I really don't think it is neccisary. A workgroup can have 10 concurrent connections and you are well under that. Win2K Professional and WinXP are basically the same OS because WinXP uses the same kernel as Win2K. The only difference WinXP has more frills and more driver support that Win2K. I would probably upgrade the laptop to WinXP because it will give you more network capabilities and event logging. If you just want to set up a file server, a server OS is not neccisary for your environment.
If you do decide that you want a domain environment I would use SBS 2003 (Small Business Server). Server 2003 has more robust features than W2K server. Plus it is a little more locked down when it is set up that W2K. Here is more info on SBS 2003
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...s/default.mspx

This is the minimum requirements for a desktop PC to run SBS 2003.
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;829711

Now my opinion is that MS hardware requirements are vastly underated. My recommendation would be at least P4 1.5, 1GB Memory, 20GB HD, and a backup device to backup the system for disaster recovery.

I have tried to run Server 2003 in a Dell PowerEdge 2350 server and it did not like it at all.

pwhatley · 01-02-2005, 07:27 PM

The potential "server" is a self built system that currently has an AMD Athlon XP 1.41GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM. The hard drive is 40GB IDE internal, and there is currently only one network card in the computer.

I really hadn't thought much about what I want to do with the server, beyond centralizing the security and the internet connection/firewall for our internet access. I have in the past considered setting up an ftp server, but until we are on cable access, that's a moot thought. I would like to have it set up so that, should I want to do something like an ftp server , I'll be ready to do so.

**crazijoe** · 01-03-2005, 05:36 AM

I would bump up the memory on this machine. You might get better performance with a SCSI HD as the IDE drive has a slower seek and access time. Also I would implement at least a RAID 1 array for redundancy. SBS shouldn't have a problem on this machine. I would definitely get a firewall appliance. You don't want your server to be expose to the internet.

pwhatley · 01-03-2005, 06:03 AM

Thanks for the help -- I really appreciate it!

jimscreechy · 01-10-2005, 09:17 AM

A lot of problems concerning workgroups and the ability to see other computers stems from browsing and a computers 'browsing roles' within a workgroup. Essentially the browser lists the other pc's in a workgroup, it is a particular pain with workgroups as domains noramlly have a dns server for resolution which circumvents these issues. At any rate you will need to do a bit of reading. Don't worry it isn't rocket science and I have found a few tweaks normally solves these issues.

Ok both these links do a good job of walking you through what you need to do. The first is better becuse it is a microsoft link and acutally tells you how to identify and make changes using the XP resource kit tools, so it is fairly idiot proof. The second is good too though. Give them a shot and visit your library and get a good Microsoft windows networking book.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...f_omn_mzox.asp

http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=3728

12-29-2004, 08:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
pwhatley Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5 OS: XP	Networking help needed, please [font=Comic Sans MS][size=2]Hi all! I've read (and printed) many of the posts in this forum, and been very impressed with the answers you have given those of us who are network-challenged. I have a problem now. I have recently purchased a Toshiba Satellite M35X-S349 notebook, which I would like to network with our other two (self-built) desktop computers. I purchased a netgear 5-port switch on the advice of a friend, and have an HP Deskjet 6840 (network ready) printer. All three computers are running Windows XP (2-Pro, the notebook is running home). I have managed to get all three computers to see the printer, and all can print fine. I would like to take my old desktop and turn it into a server for our network, as I will be using the notebook as my primary computer (I am a middle-aged full-time student and church webmistress). All computers have the same workgroup name, and different individual names. All show Client for MS Networks, File & Printer Sharing, QoS packet scheduler, and TCP/IP under network connections. I was thinking of installing Windows 2000, at least on the computer I plan to use as a server, but would like to solve this dilemna before I go any further. Also, would it make sense to turn that desktop into a server? What benefits would I gain from it? Would Windows 2000 be a better OS for the server and/or all of the systems? I really appreciate any and all help and suggestions. Oh, I forgot to mention that we will be moving soon, and when we do we will connect to the web via a cable modem (we are currently on dial-up ) -- therefore the netgear switch. Thanks! Last edited by pwhatley : 12-29-2004 at 08:59 PM.

12-31-2004, 07:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
crazijoe Moderator, Hardware Forums Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	This really depends on what you want to accomplish. The reason for using a server OS is to set up a domain and implement security in a more managable way. Seeing how small the network is I really don't think it is neccisary. A workgroup can have 10 concurrent connections and you are well under that. Win2K Professional and WinXP are basically the same OS because WinXP uses the same kernel as Win2K. The only difference WinXP has more frills and more driver support that Win2K. I would probably upgrade the laptop to WinXP because it will give you more network capabilities and event logging. If you just want to set up a file server, a server OS is not neccisary for your environment. If you do decide that you want a domain environment I would use SBS 2003 (Small Business Server). Server 2003 has more robust features than W2K server. Plus it is a little more locked down when it is set up that W2K. Here is more info on SBS 2003 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...s/default.mspx This is the minimum requirements for a desktop PC to run SBS 2003. http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;829711 Now my opinion is that MS hardware requirements are vastly underated. My recommendation would be at least P4 1.5, 1GB Memory, 20GB HD, and a backup device to backup the system for disaster recovery. I have tried to run Server 2003 in a Dell PowerEdge 2350 server and it did not like it at all. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

01-02-2005, 07:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
pwhatley Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5 OS: XP	More Information The potential "server" is a self built system that currently has an AMD Athlon XP 1.41GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM. The hard drive is 40GB IDE internal, and there is currently only one network card in the computer. I really hadn't thought much about what I want to do with the server, beyond centralizing the security and the internet connection/firewall for our internet access. I have in the past considered setting up an ftp server, but until we are on cable access, that's a moot thought. I would like to have it set up so that, should I want to do something like an ftp server , I'll be ready to do so.

01-03-2005, 05:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
crazijoe Moderator, Hardware Forums Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	I would bump up the memory on this machine. You might get better performance with a SCSI HD as the IDE drive has a slower seek and access time. Also I would implement at least a RAID 1 array for redundancy. SBS shouldn't have a problem on this machine. I would definitely get a firewall appliance. You don't want your server to be expose to the internet. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

01-03-2005, 06:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
pwhatley Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5 OS: XP	. Thanks for the help -- I really appreciate it!

01-10-2005, 09:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
jimscreechy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK Posts: 372 OS: xp	A lot of problems concerning workgroups and the ability to see other computers stems from browsing and a computers 'browsing roles' within a workgroup. Essentially the browser lists the other pc's in a workgroup, it is a particular pain with workgroups as domains noramlly have a dns server for resolution which circumvents these issues. At any rate you will need to do a bit of reading. Don't worry it isn't rocket science and I have found a few tweaks normally solves these issues. Ok both these links do a good job of walking you through what you need to do. The first is better becuse it is a microsoft link and acutally tells you how to identify and make changes using the XP resource kit tools, so it is fairly idiot proof. The second is good too though. Give them a shot and visit your library and get a good Microsoft windows networking book. http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...f_omn_mzox.asp http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=3728