Advanced Server and WinXP PCs

I have a Shuttle P4 2.2 GHz PC (1GB ram, 200GB HD) that I thought I'd turn
into a server for my home network consisting of all WinXP PCs. I intend to
use this PC to (a) store photos, videos, and important files for shared use
and (b) install a Hauppauge card with Snapstream software to share TV around
the house. I don't intend to use it as a backup device because my 100MB/s
wired LAN would be slow as would the computer sitting on an 802.11G
connection. I'll use internal HDs or external USB HDs for backup. Nor do I
intend to use it as an FTP server. It will only be accessed by PCs on my
LAN.

Does Advanced Server play well with WinXP PCs? I've had problems in the
past getting XP machines to talk to my 2000 Pro machine on the LAN. Can a
medium level computer user get it set up without needing a MS certification?
Or should I just bite the bullet and get an OEM copy of Server 2003 or
(gasp) try to enter into the linux realm? Seems that the new MS server
software is more feature rich and easier to set up but I may be able to get
Advanced Server for much less.

I do have a copy of Win 2000Pro. Can I just use this OS and then share the
directories on my LAN to get the same functionality? Why would it be
better, if at all, to get Advanced Server or the new server OS?

Thanks,

BigSky



I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html

Windows XP works great with Windows 2000 Server/Advanced Server. Are you
going to use it as part of a domain or as a workgroup? It's not that hard to
set it up, either. You might look up a guide to get aquanted with it and
what it involves.

--

Dustin Harper
(E-Mail Removed)
http://www.vistarip.com | Vista Resource & Information Page


"Big Sky" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:QxjCj.11669$wM2.9546@trnddc07...
>I have a Shuttle P4 2.2 GHz PC (1GB ram, 200GB HD) that I thought I'd turn
> into a server for my home network consisting of all WinXP PCs. I intend
> to
> use this PC to (a) store photos, videos, and important files for shared
> use
> and (b) install a Hauppauge card with Snapstream software to share TV
> around
> the house. I don't intend to use it as a backup device because my
> 100MB/s
> wired LAN would be slow as would the computer sitting on an 802.11G
> connection. I'll use internal HDs or external USB HDs for backup. Nor do
> I
> intend to use it as an FTP server. It will only be accessed by PCs on my
> LAN.
>
> Does Advanced Server play well with WinXP PCs? I've had problems in the
> past getting XP machines to talk to my 2000 Pro machine on the LAN. Can a
> medium level computer user get it set up without needing a MS
> certification?
> Or should I just bite the bullet and get an OEM copy of Server 2003 or
> (gasp) try to enter into the linux realm? Seems that the new MS server
> software is more feature rich and easier to set up but I may be able to
> get
> Advanced Server for much less.
>
> I do have a copy of Win 2000Pro. Can I just use this OS and then share
> the
> directories on my LAN to get the same functionality? Why would it be
> better, if at all, to get Advanced Server or the new server OS?
>
> Thanks,
>
> BigSky
>
>
>
> I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
> http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html
>

Server 2000 & 2003 both standard and enterprise will work well with XP.
Though are you using XP Home or XP Pro? You shouldn't have problems with XP
Home using straight folder sharing rather than a full AD setup (have done
this before), but have seen issues with this before.

I would actually STRONGLY suggest if you are going to purchase a server
operating system for your listed reasons that you take a serious look at
Microsoft Windows Home Server (WHS). Linux will work exceptionally well as a
file (samba) server but if you've never used linux then don't depend on
making a clean reliable "production" server first up.




"Big Sky" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:QxjCj.11669$wM2.9546@trnddc07...
> I have a Shuttle P4 2.2 GHz PC (1GB ram, 200GB HD) that I thought I'd turn
> into a server for my home network consisting of all WinXP PCs. I intend
> to
> use this PC to (a) store photos, videos, and important files for shared
> use
> and (b) install a Hauppauge card with Snapstream software to share TV
> around
> the house. I don't intend to use it as a backup device because my
> 100MB/s
> wired LAN would be slow as would the computer sitting on an 802.11G
> connection. I'll use internal HDs or external USB HDs for backup. Nor do
> I
> intend to use it as an FTP server. It will only be accessed by PCs on my
> LAN.
>
> Does Advanced Server play well with WinXP PCs? I've had problems in the
> past getting XP machines to talk to my 2000 Pro machine on the LAN. Can a
> medium level computer user get it set up without needing a MS
> certification?
> Or should I just bite the bullet and get an OEM copy of Server 2003 or
> (gasp) try to enter into the linux realm? Seems that the new MS server
> software is more feature rich and easier to set up but I may be able to
> get
> Advanced Server for much less.
>
> I do have a copy of Win 2000Pro. Can I just use this OS and then share
> the
> directories on my LAN to get the same functionality? Why would it be
> better, if at all, to get Advanced Server or the new server OS?
>
> Thanks,
>
> BigSky
>
>
>
> I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
> http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html
>

I'm just planning to set it up as a workgroup. Given that, couldn't I just
load Win2000 Pro on this machine and share directories with the XP machines
in my workgroup and get the same benefits?


I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html

I have a mix of WinXP Pro and home machines (3/2). I too have heard nothing
but great things about MS's new server OS with its ease of set up and
functionality. I guess I'm just a cheap skate and don't want to cough up
the $140+ for the OS. Yes, I'm not inclined to dive into the Linux arena.
I have enough headaches with the setup I currently have.


I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html

I'm thinking that 2000pro would not be as efficient at sharing a large
number of files compared to a server OS. For documents etc it should be
fine, but if you've got a few gigs worth of mp3s, look elsewhere. Try
looking on ebay for an old server2000 copy+license (COA) if your limited for
funds as I am and you will get a better result for file sharing.

"Big Sky" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:UzlCj.11695$wM2.1429@trnddc07...
> I'm just planning to set it up as a workgroup. Given that, couldn't I
> just load Win2000 Pro on this machine and share directories with the XP
> machines in my workgroup and get the same benefits?
>
>
> I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
> http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html
>

Before going the Windows Home Server route, I suggest checking out the
latest reports of Home Server mysteriously losing files. It appears there
might be serious consequences at this time.

Yikes! Thanks for tip!


"Tim Sagstetter" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Before going the Windows Home Server route, I suggest checking out the
> latest reports of Home Server mysteriously losing files. It appears there
> might be serious consequences at this time.
>


I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html

Thanks much. I have at D Link DI-524. The only thing the documentation
says is that it has auto sensing ports to detect the kind of cable attached.

I didn't think gigabit would offer me much unless I decided to use my LAN
for backups. I do have a small NAS on my LAN but it's pretty slow for using
for backups. I mostly have my music files, photos, and some DivX movies on
it for sharing with all the computers on my LAN.

I currently have my DSL modem attached to the D Link wireless router. I
have 2 PCs and the NAS attached to the router in one room with a 3rd PC I
need to add (possible file server and Snapstream server for TV). The fourth
port connects downstream to a Belkin router with DHCP disabled so it works
as a switch/hub (?) in another room. I have 2 computers attached to the
Belkin that are used primarily for gaming. I have one notebook and one PC
attached wirelessly to the D Link router. I don't have enough ports on the
wireless router so am wondering what the best approach would be to add ports
and improve LAN perfomance. I was planning to just get a 10/100 switch to
put all 3 PCs on in the first room and then connect to the D Link router
with the NAS connecting directly to the router. Eventually, one of these
PCs will also become a 3rd PC for gaming with the 2 PCs downstream of the
Belkin device. I don't know if its better to use the Belkin as a wired
router in the first room and put the D Link in the second room as an access
point and switch/hub for the two gaming computers or just leave as is and
add the switch into the first room. I don't know if there is any difference
in routing capability between the D Link and the Belkin F5D5231. Any
thoughts?

Thanks,

Big Sky
"Tsunami Australia" <de-(E-Mail Removed)-spam> wrote in message
news:F6A18A63-E724-47A4-AECB-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I'm thinking that 2000pro would not be as efficient at sharing a large
> number of files compared to a server OS. For documents etc it should be
> fine, but if you've got a few gigs worth of mp3s, look elsewhere. Try
> looking on ebay for an old server2000 copy+license (COA) if your limited
> for funds as I am and you will get a better result for file sharing.
>
> "Big Sky" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:UzlCj.11695$wM2.1429@trnddc07...
>> I'm just planning to set it up as a workgroup. Given that, couldn't I
>> just load Win2000 Pro on this machine and share directories with the XP
>> machines in my workgroup and get the same benefits?
>>
>>
>> I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
>> http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html
>>

If you are just going to use a workgroup, why not look into using Windows
Home Server?

It'll do what your looking for, and is designed specifically for what
your looking for, as far as sharing & backups

On Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:39:48 +0000, Big Sky wrote:

> I'm just planning to set it up as a workgroup. Given that, couldn't I
> just load Win2000 Pro on this machine and share directories with the XP
> machines in my workgroup and get the same benefits?
>
>
> I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
> http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html



--
----------------
Andrew Davis
IT Administrator
WestGate Church