Need help setting up a Windows 2003 Network...

[beansbaxter]

I am in dire need of some help. I am setting up a network, and am having some difficulties.

I've installed and configured everything on a machine running Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition. I have it setup to be managed for Activie Directory, DNS, and DHCP. I understand how to add users, reserved IP addresses (off a nic mac address), and add computers.

Now I ask...how do I set it up so that clients can access the server on the login?

The clients are running XP, and their login screen is for the local user profiles, not to access the server for the user profiles that have been setup on their. So how do I do this?

What I want to do is have a server running and storing all the user data. I am not looking at doing terminal services for applications, as I will just install the software on each client computer, but I want to require that each client boots up, logs into the server, and then will operate.

Please advise. Any good informative websites. I googled and can find a ton of how to guides on setting up the server side, but cant figure out how to setup the client side.

Thanks.

 

[azev]

I found www.2000trainers.com to be quite educating for beginners with microsoft server technology. Maybe you can answer to all your questions there. Good luck.

 

[ktwebb]

You can google adding machines to the domain or something along those lines if you want a walkthrough. Otherwise just go to system properties, computer name tab and add each workstation to the domain. Then if you want to map drives via login you can do so by login script.

 

[TwiceOver]

I use this type of setup at home.

First you need to set up folder redirection in the group policy settings. If you are using the default install of 2003 you can go into "Manage users and computers" then right click the domain that you created and choose properties. From there click the group policy tab, and then open the group policy. Folder redirection will be under the user settings. Set up a share somewhere on the server and follow the instructions for folder redirection.

To connect the clients to the server, on each machine go to the system properties (right click my computer choose properties) and go to computer name. At the bottom click "change" and then choose the domain radio button and type in the domain. Restart. At next logon you'll have to choose your domain from the list.

 

[Joemonkey]

are the clients running xp pro or xp home? i don't think home can be added to a domain.

 

[TwiceOver]

Originally posted by: Joemonkey
are the clients running xp pro or xp home? i don't think home can be added to a domain.

Ohh yeah, forgot about that. Home CANNOT be added to a domain. Only XP Pro, 2000, NT, ME, 98. Anything under 2000 takes some work though.