networking question - do i need to make a server?

[techgamer]

I have three computers on a home netgear router and a wireless laptop. None are setup as a server they are just all sharing the internet. I would like them to all be able to access an external USB hard drive that is on one of the computers and also a printer that is on a different one of the computers. Is this easily possible? I am not familiar with networking much.

thanks.

 

[vorgusa]

This is not that tough. you need to set up the printer to be shared by righ clicking it and selecting the share printer option (I believe that is where it is) and do pretty much the same with the external drive ( you may need to do it with a folder in the hard drive instead of the whole hard drive) A server is not necessary but there are NASs that will do both of these for you if you do not want to keep a computer on all the time

http://www.qnap.com/pro_detail_feature.asp?p_id=78

 

[techgamer]

thanks. I'll play around with it

 

[techgamer]

I shared my printer but I cant find it from the other computers...

 

[JackMDS]

Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is allowed to be shared.

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://www.microsoft.com/techn...evaluate/vista_fp.mspx

Basic XP - http://www.microsoft.com/techn...ntain/filesharing.mspx

Advanced XP - http://support.microsoft.com/d...x?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windo...t/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120