WIN2K Server NEWBIE

[jl123]

I need help setting up some kind of server where I can share a printer and a few apps. I've tried setting up the printer and it is installed but I'm just so confused because it says "not accessible" on the win98 boxes when I try to install the network printer. I need some info and help on setting up permissions and passwords. I'm also wondering if DNS or WINS would be of any use to this network. What can be done with DNS and WINS? I would also like to somehow setup a firewall on this server that will protect the clients(server shares internet). This DNS and WINS stuff is confusing if you look at it for the first time. Please help...

Thanks

 

[Muadib]

Are you using 2000 server? It sounds like you never used NT before, so lets start at the top. Explain exactly what you are trying to do. How many computers and users are you talking about? What have you done so far that works?

 

[DerProfi]

Share "apps"? I can't think of any PC applications these days, even at the huge company where I work, that really lend themselves to "sharing" as in multiple computers all running off the same program files. Sharing data, on the other hand, may be what you meant to say. Can you clarify?

As far as DHCP, the easy solution is to get yourself an Internet connection-sharing device which has DHCP services built-in. Some models even have a built-in print server, which solves the other problem you mention.

 

[jl123]

Yeah I'm using Win2K Server. I've never used NT or win2k to setup a server. At one time i was using win2k pro but not for a server. I just gotta know who to setup a network server. I did mean share data not share the apps itself. They use a program called PDS(parish data systems) to keep track of the parish members. I gotta know how to make this thing a server. Could you guys explain what DNS and WINS are used for? I read the description in win2k but it doesn't give any info on when to use it.

There are 6 comps at the site running win98se. I have the laser printer installed on the server and it works....but I'm having trouble sharing it cause there is some "password". I'm also confused about setting up the permissions. I have the admin account and the password.

Thanks guyz

 

[igiveup]

OK, gotcha. You have a permissions issue. Basically, your printer is attatched to the server and you want to let other computers use the printer right? You can use it, but not them? The issue is that your server has no idea what or who the other people are when you try to set up the printer. You want to add them to your user list on your server and have them log into their workstations using those user and password combos. The quick fix, but the least recommended for security reasons, is to enable the Guest account and give it rights to your printer. Right click on the printer in the printers section and there should be a security tab.

Question I should have asked first before I got into all of this....Is your current setup one where the 98 computers log into the server in a Domain setup? I wouldn't think so, or you would be running Active Directory and have other issues than this.

The recommended fix is to at least make the server a member server. This means that anybody wanting to use your peripherals and disk storage will need to have an account on the server. This should solve your problem with disk storage also. The bad news is that this will be more difficult up front to set up, but it gives you more options in the long run if you want someone in particular locked out of something, or want to keep everybody else from viewing your pastors notes. One key word here: NTFS. You get very little security benefits if you use FAT 32 file system.

NOTE: You can use something that is built into Windows 2000 server called Terminal Services which will allow you to use a program from just about any computer. If you are interested, just post again.