home network setup recommendations

Hi

My wife works from home and connects to her work using VPN. I suppose she
logs on to a domain server there. She will shortly have her pc replaced but
new regulations means that she will no longer be able to install any of her
own programs or keep photos etc on the new one.

We therefore have the idea of setting up a server at home as I have an old
box sitting in a room. The question is how to do this. I know little about
network setups as you can understand. I don't want a domain server where we
have to log in. A plain file server will do. I plan to install XP 2003
server and set it up as a file server.

How do I make sure the wife will be able to access an account on such a
setup?

Thanks.

> My wife works from home and connects to her work using VPN.

Just so you know, some VPN clients cut off all local LAN connectivity when
they are enabled. I know the one I use for work does this (by design, no way
out of it). As soon as the VPN is established, I lose connectivity to the
local LAN machines. If this is your case, having a local "server" wouldn't
help.

> A plain file server will do. I plan to install XP 2003 server and set it
> up as a file server.

Just so you know, the "plain" Windows 2003 server OS costs about $1000,
depending on where you buy it.

> How do I make sure the wife will be able to access an account on such a
> setup?

You will either have to test it yourself, or, ask the network folks at your
wife's work to see if they can provide your with answers.

-Frank