Newbie needs suggestion on "file server"

[Mattlock2]

Currently I have 2 comps; mine; PIII700@980 and my son's K6-300. (he's 3 years old)

I also have a K6-3 400 and an Epox MB that is in my closet gathing dust. I have been tempted to set up a Network which leads me to the following questions:

1) Can I use my K6-3 400 as a File Server or Should I?
2) or...Should I just connect my 2 computers with a Router and be done with it.
3)Any advantages to having a seperate File Server?

I would like to have multi-computer access to the web for technical support when one is down etc.

Just though I'd ask.

Mattlock

PS. I've always wanted to play around with a home network...gotta start somewhere

 

[n0cmonkey]

A home router option would probably be the easiest.

You can use the other processor in a file server (or do you want a "router" type machine?). It wouldnt be a bad idea, depends on how much you want to play around. File serving and sharing an internet connection are two different things.

 

[JackMDS]

The Server type of Network, comes from the cooperate world.

A typical example: A cooperate Accounting Department using 10 people to issue invoices. You keep the Invoicing Software on a server, and the employees access it from their own computers, every thing concerning invoicing is maintain and saved on the server, this way every thing is central, and there is no duplications and updating issues. For this type of usage you need special accounting software that was written for this purpose.

Most Home Networks are staged, as peer to peer, i.e. there is no one main server but few computers connected together, sharing the Internet, files, and printers. To install a real server you need a good reason, and applications that need this type of arrangement, otherwise it is a waste.

More info about connecting and sharing simple network can be found here:

AT - FAQ . Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

AT - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

AT - FAQ: Networking and sharing between computers.

 

[Mattlock2]

thanks

 

[Woodie]

Home users typically use a server as a File-server. For example:
1. Storing install code used by multiple clients (any d/led software)
2. MP3s.
3. Personal files. I only have one tape backup, so I put it on the fileserver. I put all my personal documents on the file server, so they can be backed up to tape on a regular basis.
4. Make up your own.