Hiyas,

Is anyone familiar with networking? I have 6 pc's at home, and want to get it setup so no matter which computer i log into, i have the same desktop/files/settings/email.

I'm aware I need to be running some kind of server that's left on 24/7 for the computers to download the data from. All of the systems are running Windows XP now, some are Home and some Pro.

Any suggestions about how I go about doing this? Is there anything like Policy Editor for Win95, for WinXP? I think I need to setup a domain? Right now the computers are using a workgroup. How do I do this?

Thanks!

I'm just a tad pekish :) Need to eat din din.. However, must help family first...

So..

@Jedis -> A wonderful implementation that I have seen is either running Active Directory, from a Windows based server product. Or.. your can form your network from Netware, probably version 6 if possible.

Both are great ways to implement shared network space, desktops, and e-mail.

*********
GroupWise for Novell
or
Exchange for Windows

:P Those are very nice and relatively simple ways of fashioning your network the way you want it. :)

I hope that helps.. If not let me know and I will try and clarify.. that or just scan some pages in and send them to you. hahahahah...

Cybey :D

Scanned pages would be awesome, if you don't mind taking the time...

This is a whole new adventure for me :)

I've heard of Active Directory, but didn't know it was used to share files/settings, etc. I'd probably go with Exchange for Windows for the email I think?

Think I'll pass on Novell...

exchange can do that? i think active directory can, but the only two ways i've ever used / seen AD implemented were as a global login system only, or for group policy, but for anything like this we (at school) have always just setup the administrator's profile the way we wanted it and copied it to the domain user profile, imaged, and ghosted to the rest of the machines when we deployed them (changing the sid number / ip / account name when we were done on each)

Alright... time to bring out the ol' Windows texts out from hiding.:) Hopefully they are not in storage. :(

I'm looking for Active Directory material right?

yep, and exchange if it can be used too :P

First up you would need a Server OS from MS either Windows 2000 Server or something to set up Active Directory and your domain. Or you could wait for Windows 2003 Serve to make an apperance.

You can also have a look at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000...t.asp#section8 ;)

I'll try to scan some stuff in.. Maybe tonight.. Hopefully I won't totally piss my roommates off. :(

Hehhe... I might even try to make an ebook....

Thanks! It's greatly appreciated Cyberion.

greypigeon I took a look at that link... didn't see anything relevant at a glance.

Jedis,

Need some hardware info on your boxes but this is how I would do it (with windows and static ip address):

1. Install win2k server on 2 of the boxes. Make sure you install as well DNS, Wins, DHCP and AD. Then install exchange 2k on one of them. If you have your own domain then you will have to set up an MX record in the "external" DNS to point to the ip of your box that has the mailserver on it.

2. Actually, on second thought, I would use terminal services in win2k - Install win2k and then install terminal services via the add/remove programs applet. You may have to install a terminal server license server on the same box as well but that should not be a problem as xp has built in licenses for access :) Then on the client systems you use the "remote desktop connection" (in accessories/communications from the start menu) to connect to the ip address of the termserver; your destop and settings will be the same from wherever you log on from, it is like running a virtual session from the server. Whenever you want to install apps onto the terminal server make sure you drop to a command line and type this: change user /install then when you are finished installing type: change user /execute

This may serve you better (the terminal server) without the need to set up a domain and all the overhead that goes with it and you can set up outlook express or whatever mail client you want to access any email protocol just as easy and you can be assured that from whatever pc you log on from you will have the same desktop ;)

You may have to set up user accounts for each user on the termserver though, I have always used TS in an NT domain environment that does all the user authentication, just make sure you are all on the same workgroup ;)

Hope this helps some :)

/JD

Thanks for the tips JackDynne.

However, I want it to be as easy as possible to run and use. Unfortunately, not every person that uses the computers in my household has the basics of computer useage down, and I fear opening a command prompt and typing commands would be a bit much for them. :(