Sharing Files Over the Network

[nageov3t]

I have 4 computers on my home network -- my desktop, my laptop, my roommate's desktop, and my roommate's laptop.

We both have a bunch of folders shared that we can each access. I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to limit access to some folders, though... There are a few folders on my desktop that I want to share, but that I only want to be accessible from my laptop (random personal stuff that I wouldn't feel comfortable with if my roommate had access to it).

Is it possible to limit access like that? I could do it with Terminal Services (which would not involve sharing the file so much as limiting TS access to one password protected account), but my desktop is running Windows XP Pro and my laptop is a powerbook (apple). as far as I know (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong), there is no TS application for the Mac OS-X.

 

[minendo]

Create seperate user accounts and grant permissions accordingly.

 

[Podolak]

Actually, there is a Terminal Services client for the Mac that would allow you to connect to the desktop from it if that is what you are trying to do. But it would be so much easier just to create some user accounts and set permissions accordingly.

 

[nageov3t]

this is probably boardering on an OS thread, but how do you create users for other computers? is it by IP addreess or something? (all the computers in the internal network are on permanent IP's controlled by the router)

 

[Podolak]

Actually,

What you are going to want to do is disable the guest account on your XP Box. Then, create a user account for you and your roomate. To create a user account you right click on "My Computer" and click Manage. Then in the list there will an option that says "Local Users and Groups." You expand that and click on Users. Here is where you can create the user names and passwords. Give the one to your roomate. When he tries to connect to your computer it will come up and ask him for a username and password. He types in what you gave him and he is all set. Same goes for when you try and connect. You use the username and password that you created for yourself and you are good.

Now, to assign certain folders to the user names. What you need to do is un-share the root directory. Then share each folder or groups of folders individually.

So lets say you were sharing a folder on your root called "temp" You would right click on "temp" and click on "Sharing and Security." Usually there is an option in there to choose which users have access to the folder. You will want to remove the "everyone" group and assign whatever user name you created for that specific share. Generally I do this with 2k Server but I assume it works in 2k/XP Pro.