Networking

[wiin]

I have 3 computers. I want one to be a server and a domain controller(Is that possible?). Applications will be in this computer. How do I go about letting the other two access the application in the server?

Please help and thanks in advance, you smart people.

 

[JackMDS]

You have to install on one computer a Real Server OS.

Here you can find links and info about Windows Server: Windows2003 for Home/SOHO Networks.

:sun:

 

[Goosemaster]

1. Install a server OS on one machine which should have two NICs .
2. Plug the internal network NIC into a switch via a crossover cable. Plug in the other two into the switch.
3. Plug in the server's other NIC into the DSL modem/cable modem
4. Have fun tryign to figure out how the hell to configure it
5. :beer:

 

[BML]

Is this for learing? or is it real life?
3 computers dont really need a domain controller.
If you are just learning you can install windows 2000 or 2003 server as your DC.
Then install terminal services in application mode then you can run the applications
from your server.
Thats just the basics of it post back if you have any questions.
Im am alose one who has configured many situations just for
the fact of learning it.

 

[MtnMan]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
1. Install a server OS on one machine which should have two NICs .
2. Plug the internal network NIC into a switch via a crossover cable. Plug in the other two into the switch.
3. Plug in the server's other NIC into the DSL modem/cable modem
4. Have fun tryign to figure out how the hell to configure it
5. :beer:

Step 2?? why would you want to use a crossover cable. Unless you have a high end switch that will detect reversed pairs that will effectively disconnect that PC.

Crossover cables are used IN PLACE of hubs or switches, or to connect two similiar NETWORK devices togeather such as hubs or switches.

 

[Sideswipe001]

Originally posted by: MtnMan

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
1. Install a server OS on one machine which should have two NICs .
2. Plug the internal network NIC into a switch via a crossover cable. Plug in the other two into the switch.
3. Plug in the server's other NIC into the DSL modem/cable modem
4. Have fun tryign to figure out how the hell to configure it
5. :beer:

Step 2?? why would you want to use a crossover cable. Unless you have a high end switch that will detect reversed pairs that will effectively disconnect that PC.

Crossover cables are used IN PLACE of hubs or switches, or to connect two similiar NETWORK devices togeather such as hubs or switches.

Yep, he doesn't need a crossover cable. He also doesn't need 2 NICs if he has a router. I have a domain controller at my house (yes, for learning and experimentation) and it works just fine with 1 NIC. My setup is:

Cable modem-->router-->Gbit switch-->3 computers (1 server, 2 desktops)

Works out rather well. I used to run my own E-mail from home until my ISP blocked out the SMTP ports (dang people).


As for accessing the application, what application are you trying to put on the server? You can use Terminal Services to run a program on the server, but still...It really depends on what programs you're talking about running off of it.

 

[Tbyte]

I?m in a similar quandary, the electrician has opened many holes while rewiring and I decided it would be an opportune time to wire my first network. I am presently building a box to go in the storage room and act as server (AMD2600+:2x80gigIDE:512mg ram). Primarily I intend for this would be server to be used for general storage, streaming Divx&mp3 files and host an occasional game. Down the road I would like to add some type of surveillance cameras/system that write directly to the hard drive and can be accessed remotely. A) Is this a doable setup? B) Will I actually need a server OS to achieve this or can I get away with WinXP?

 

[dc5]

like they said, domain controllers arent neccessary for 3 computers but if this is for learning/experiementing then go for it. otherwise it's a waste of money for windows 2003.

 

[MtnMan]

Originally posted by: Tbyte
I?m in a similar quandary, the electrician has opened many holes while rewiring and I decided it would be an opportune time to wire my first network. <snip>

You don't want to run network cables through the same holes as power. Most likely it is also against your local building codes.

 

[Tbyte]

Thanks for the replies. I ought to of been more specific. Is the server I am building adequate to the tasks I propose? Can a WinXP server stream video to the weaker 350mhz computer? If I use camera with a network feed doesnt need its own address and is XP up to that task. As long as I'm tinkering I can always download Linux/Samba just to give myself headaches. Finally, regarding the wiring isn't the spec 6 inches from any power line? Is there any wiggle room? There is one ten foot chase that would be quite convenient.

 

[Genx87]

Streaming video is really quite unintensive. It is playing the video that eats clock cycles.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Sideswipe001

Originally posted by: MtnMan

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
1. Install a server OS on one machine which should have two NICs .
2. Plug the internal network NIC into a switch via a crossover cable. Plug in the other two into the switch.
3. Plug in the server's other NIC into the DSL modem/cable modem
4. Have fun tryign to figure out how the hell to configure it
5. :beer:

Step 2?? why would you want to use a crossover cable. Unless you have a high end switch that will detect reversed pairs that will effectively disconnect that PC.

Crossover cables are used IN PLACE of hubs or switches, or to connect two similiar NETWORK devices togeather such as hubs or switches.

Yep, he doesn't need a crossover cable. He also doesn't need 2 NICs if he has a router. I have a domain controller at my house (yes, for learning and experimentation) and it works just fine with 1 NIC. My setup is:

Cable modem-->router-->Gbit switch-->3 computers (1 server, 2 desktops)

Works out rather well. I used to run my own E-mail from home until my ISP blocked out the SMTP ports (dang people).


As for accessing the application, what application are you trying to put on the server? You can use Terminal Services to run a program on the server, but still...It really depends on what programs you're talking about running off of it.

Sorry bout that. It was PC to ROUTER via Crossover.

 

[wiin]

Thanks for responding guys.

This is for learning and real life.(after knowing how to do it, no point in wasting my talent, right heheh)

I want the two computers to be able to access apllications such as Quicken and Office(examples). I have
a server OS. First computer is XP based and the other, Windows 98. Down the road, I wanna set up
a Win2K machine. I want the two computers to be able to access each other also, i assume, via the server. I have a router with a 4 port switch, by the way.




SERVER
|
|
|
|
Router w/4 port switch
|
|
|
----------------------------------
| |
XP Machine win 98 Machine


Apart from having the NOS at the server level, what else do I have to do? At the XP and Win 98 level,
what do I have to do?
Correct me if I'm wrong here but in order for XP or win98 to access resources in Server, I have to set up some kind of authentication mechanism?

Keep bringing in the advice guys.
thanks.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: wiin
Thanks for responding guys.

This is for learning and real life.(after knowing how to do it, no point in wasting my talent, right heheh)

I want the two computers to be able to access apllications such as Quicken and Office(examples). I have
a server OS. First computer is XP based and the other, Windows 98. Down the road, I wanna set up
a Win2K machine. I want the two computers to be able to access each other also, i assume, via the server. I have a router with a 4 port switch, by the way.




SERVER
|
|
|
|
Router w/4 port switch
|
|
|
----------------------------------
| |
XP Machine win 98 Machine


Apart from having the NOS at the server level, what else do I have to do? At the XP and Win 98 level,
what do I have to do?
Correct me if I'm wrong here but in order for XP or win98 to access resources in Server, I have to set up some kind of authentication mechanism?

Keep bringing in the advice guys.
thanks.

WOAH partner! Hold on ther and don't get ahead of yourself!

As for effective usage of applications, you will need the server versions. I am not sure if Quicken has one, but using MS Office over the work isn't going to materialize. In your case, your server will mainly have the ability to provide various networking services unless you have the money for the applications.


In addition, you must realize that using two routers in a network is a no no when using consumer equipment unless it is the high-end. Your SERVER, will be using a public address assigned to you by your ISP on it's WAN interface(NIC) and a private address of your choice on it's LAN interface (NIC). To get the router/switch device to play nicely, you will have to look up its specifications and see if it will allow you to disable NAT. IDEALLY, your SERVER, as the DHCP server, would be responsible for assigning IP addresses to every device and interface behind it. I


In my opinion, due to the inherent security shotcomings of Server-OS default installations, I would recommend that you make your router the gateway and the DHCP server (normal setup), and put the server behind it. Then put your PC clients behind it. Until you are an expert at windows 2000 or whatever you chose, I would hesitate to directly expose it to the internet, for your sake AND ours.

As for accessing resources on the server, depnding on what you need and from wher you need to access it (from the internet or just from the LAN), simple windows filesharing and/or FTP would suffice.

 

[Sideswipe001]

Originally posted by: wiin
Thanks for responding guys.

This is for learning and real life.(after knowing how to do it, no point in wasting my talent, right heheh)

I want the two computers to be able to access apllications such as Quicken and Office(examples). I have
a server OS. First computer is XP based and the other, Windows 98. Down the road, I wanna set up
a Win2K machine. I want the two computers to be able to access each other also, i assume, via the server. I have a router with a 4 port switch, by the way.




SERVER
|
|
|
|
Router w/4 port switch
|
|
|
----------------------------------
| |
XP Machine win 98 Machine


Apart from having the NOS at the server level, what else do I have to do? At the XP and Win 98 level,
what do I have to do?
Correct me if I'm wrong here but in order for XP or win98 to access resources in Server, I have to set up some kind of authentication mechanism?

Keep bringing in the advice guys.
thanks.

I agree with goosemaster here; BAD idea to put that server on a public IP, from what you are planning on doing with it. Instead, hook the router up to the internet, and hook the server up to the router, just like your other two machines.

AFTER that is hooked up, you will want to install Active directory on your server (Assuming your server OS is Windows 2000 or 2003 server). I highly suggest reading about this if you don't know how to do that. That will create a domain for your network - and the server will become your domain controller. You would then make user accounts, and join your two other computers to the domain (although Win 98 machines are kind of...different in domains. Not as easy to join. Again, READ about this). THIS takes care of that "authentication mechanism" you were asking about.

You would have to get a network version of QuickBooks (Not Quicken) if you want more than one person to use it. (As a side note, the server itself only hosts the files - you still need to install QuickBooks onto the other computers). Office, there is no 'network' version of, but you CAN create a network install point, which would let you install office from the server. You wouldn't need the office CD after creating the administrative install point, as every time the "client" computers needed the office CD, they will go and look for the administrative install point - much easier to manage when you have a lot of computers.

There are a lot of specifics here that is hard to explain over the net. You really need a book or classes to do this stuff, unless you aren't afraid of breaking things big time to figure out what you're doing.