What is a file server? What can accomplish what I want to do?

[timswim78]

I see lots of posts about people who wish to set up file servers. What exactly is a file server? Is it the same thing as a server that hosts Windows Active Directories?

Here is what I am looking to do. I am looking to use an extra machine as a server. When I log onto one of my windows computers, I want it to connect to the server. The "My Documents" folder for each user will be stored on the server, and a network drive will be available to all users. Also, users will be able to print from the printer connected to the server as well as printers connected to the other desktops. Additionally, I would like Outlook to store its files on this server. Currently, my machines are running XP HOME. I understand that this cannot log onto a Windows domain (not sure exactly what that means). However, I have licenses for Win2K Pro if I need to change my OS's over to that.

My ultimate goal is to be able to have all of my data on a centralized machine that can be backed up daily.

Should I start by reading a book or some websites? Suggestions are welcome. I have tried reading some stuff at slashdot, but I don't understand a lot of the jargon such as "Active Directories," "Domains," and etc.

So, I downloaded the evaluation version of Windows Server 2003. I copied and pasted its description of a file server into this document. http://bmore.us/server.rtf Now I just need to learn how to set this stuff up and then learn how to set it up with something less expensive.

 

[OffTopic1]

File server = a storage box

How many user on the network need to access the files/directory?

10 or less users setup a Windows Workstation/Workgroup share.
More than 10 users setup a WinNT/2000/2003 server.
2 or more users setup a Linux/Unix server.

 

[timswim78]

I'll have three computers (2 laptops and a PC) hooked up. They are all running XP Home right now. Will I need to switch them to Win2K if I setup a Linux?Unix server? Are there any good books or website that explain how to set up a small server for home and explain all of the terminology?

 

[Nothinman]

Will I need to switch them to Win2K if I setup a Linux?Unix server?

No

Are there any good books or website that explain how to set up a small server for home and explain all of the terminology?

Technically all you need is a hard disk to share and to share it, it really depends on what you want. XP Home only has simple file sharing AFAIK so you're pretty limited, but XP Pro or Win2K should give you as granular access as you want. Linux is a little more complicated because SMB file/print sharing doesn't come built-in and is optional, but it's not terribly hard either.

 

[ColKurtz]

Right click on a folder in explorer -> sharing and security -> click the "share this folder" button. Bam. You now have a file server.

I don't have a specific book to recommend, but you can probably find enough to get you started just by googling "basic networking" , "home networking" newbies, "networking for dummies" , etc (sorry for the condescending terms, but those words will probably return the most useful results. )

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: ColKurtz
Right click on a folder in explorer -> sharing and security -> click the "share this folder" button. Bam. You now have a file server.

I don't have a specific book to recommend, but you can probably find enough to get you started just by googling "basic networking" , "home networking" newbies, "networking for dummies" , etc (sorry for the condescending terms, but those words will probably return the most useful results. )

OK, I think that this is the plan right now. I will set up a computer as a "server," running either some flavor of Windows or Linux. I'll then create a group file share that all users can access. Then, I'll create a file share for each user, and their "My Documents," and Outlook files will be mapped to this.

As far as backups go, I am thinking that I will throw in an extra hdd and have the shared folders backed up to it every evening. I have seen some nice backup utilities for linux, but I am not yet sure how to automate them.

Do these sound like acceptable ideas?

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[Netopia]

I could be wrong, but IIRC, one of the limitations of XP Home is the inability to be a member of a domain.

Joe

 

[Netopia]

Windows XP Professional is required to access a domain-based network. If you're not sure whether the network you will access is domain-based, talk to the person in charge of the network to make sure you choose the proper version of Windows XP

This is from http://www.microsoft.com/windo...rviews/joindomain.mspx

It does look like there are work arounds though.... here is one possibility:

You could still get to shares and stuff though, so I'm not entirely sure what is actually limitted since it's the username and password that authenticate you.

Joe

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Netopia

Windows XP Professional is required to access a domain-based network. If you're not sure whether the network you will access is domain-based, talk to the person in charge of the network to make sure you choose the proper version of Windows XP

This is from http://www.microsoft.com/windo...rviews/joindomain.mspx

It does look like there are work arounds though.... here is one possibility:

You could still get to shares and stuff though, so I'm not entirely sure what is actually limitted since it's the username and password that authenticate you.

Joe

From what I have read, I think that I can assign shares to certain users without having a domain. Since, I will only have 4 machines (including the server), I think that the Workgroup shares may work. If not, I'll do some flavor of linux, because MS server software costs more than I am willing to spend.

 

[Nothinman]

I will only have 4 machines (including the server), I think that the Workgroup shares may work.

It should work fine, the only thing is that you'll have an account on each machine and you'll either need to keep them all in sync (provided you ever change them like you should...) or you'll have to enter up to 4 passwords to get into a machine.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

I will only have 4 machines (including the server), I think that the Workgroup shares may work.

It should work fine, the only thing is that you'll have an account on each machine and you'll either need to keep them all in sync (provided you ever change them like you should...) or you'll have to enter up to 4 passwords to get into a machine.

There will only be two users. So, the password thing shouldn't be that bad.

Although this is where I am running into a bit of a problem. If I want either one of us to be able to log onto any machine and get our email and "My Documents," I am guessing that I will have to set up all of the stores for both of us on all three machines. This is not a huge deal, but would it be any easier with a domain server or linux server?

 

[Nothinman]

There will only be two users. So, the password thing shouldn't be that bad.

But you will have both users on all 4 machines, so 8 accounts.

I am guessing that I will have to set up all of the stores for both of us on all three machines. This is not a huge deal, but would it be any easier with a domain server or linux server?

What you want is roaming profiles, but I have no idea how easy, if even possible, they are to setup on XP Home. But if you can't set them up, then yes you will have to setup each profile by hand and update each one every time a change is made. Using Linux as the server won't make this any easier, but using things like Thunderbird and Firefox would as you can easily put their profiles on the network and have them use those without Windows' help. Using Linux on the client would make it easy though, you could mount /home via the network and have automatic roaming profiles but it doesn't sound like you want to go down that road just yet.

 

[OffTopic1]

Originally posted by: Netopia

Windows XP Professional is required to access a domain-based network. If you're not sure whether the network you will access is domain-based, talk to the person in charge of the network to make sure you choose the proper version of Windows XP

This is from http://www.microsoft.com/windo...rviews/joindomain.mspx

It does look like there are work arounds though.... here is one possibility:

You could still get to shares and stuff though, so I'm not entirely sure what is actually limitted since it's the username and password that authenticate you.

Joe

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/wxphdoms.html">

Windows XP Home Accessing data on a Domain Server</a>

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

There will only be two users. So, the password thing shouldn't be that bad.

But you will have both users on all 4 machines, so 8 accounts.

I am guessing that I will have to set up all of the stores for both of us on all three machines. This is not a huge deal, but would it be any easier with a domain server or linux server?

What you want is roaming profiles, but I have no idea how easy, if even possible, they are to setup on XP Home. But if you can't set them up, then yes you will have to setup each profile by hand and update each one every time a change is made. Using Linux as the server won't make this any easier, but using things like Thunderbird and Firefox would as you can easily put their profiles on the network and have them use those without Windows' help. Using Linux on the client would make it easy though, you could mount /home via the network and have automatic roaming profiles but it doesn't sound like you want to go down that road just yet.

I never really thought about linux on the clients, but that is not a bad idea. I have tried Mandrake, RedHat, Fedora, and Vecotr Linux, and I have liked all of them. Thanks for the suggestions about FireFox and Thunderbird.