Home Network Setup

Home Network Setup
I have two computers. One is 64bit Vista Premium the other is 32 bit Vista Premium.

I also have a standby CPU with Windows XP Professional with SP3. It has 1GB RAM and two hardrives one has 232GB and the other hardrive has 76GB. I also have an external hardrive with 500GB.
The system Information shows the following processors:

Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9 GenuineIntel ~3192 Mhz
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9 GenuineIntel ~3192 Mhz

I would like to use this computer as a server for my other two computers. My house is wired with CAT5 and goes into a 8 port switch which then is connected to a Router.

My questions are as follows:

Does it seem as if the computer I want to use as a server from home use is adequate?
Do I need special software such as Microsoft Home Server to create a server to client type of network in my home?
I am not sure if there are any other questions I should be asking at this time.

Thank yo in advance for your suggestions and support
__________________
HankL

Thank you for your suggestions.
I want to use this server inorder for my two computers to see the same
information and share files at the same time. What I mean by that is that
at any time either computer will be up to date on any changes made by either
computer.Each of my two working computers have their own printer and backup
external hardrives.
By having all of the information on the server, can each individual computer
still maintain its own data files and updates of those files?

Does the server provide a common drive inorder for both working computers to
see the data on that drive and is that the drive that the revised files are
updated?

Please do not think these questions as having a lack of knowledge, I just
want to be certain I have the correct concept of how the networking will
work

Thanks again for your input and I will be certain to use text and not html

HankL



"Frankster" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ...
> 1) Yes, it's adaquate for peer-to-peer networking. It can act as a server
> for file and printer sharing.
> 2) No special software needed. This is built into XP - up to a 10
> connection limit.
>
> Of course, you didn't tell us what funcitons you want your "server" to
> have. So this is the best we can do.
>
> Also, plain text, not html, is best for newsgroups.
>
> -Frank
>
> -------------------------------------------
> "HankL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Home Network Setup
> I have two computers. One is 64bit Vista Premium the other is 32 bit Vista
> Premium.
>
> I also have a standby CPU with Windows XP Professional with SP3. It has
> 1GB RAM and two hardrives one has 232GB and the other hardrive has 76GB. I
> also have an external hardrive with 500GB.
> The system Information shows the following processors:
>
> Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9 GenuineIntel ~3192 Mhz
> Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9 GenuineIntel ~3192 Mhz
>
> I would like to use this computer as a server for my other two computers.
> My house is wired with CAT5 and goes into a 8 port switch which then is
> connected to a Router.
>
> My questions are as follows:
>
> Does it seem as if the computer I want to use as a server from home use is
> adequate?
> Do I need special software such as Microsoft Home Server to create a
> server to client type of network in my home?
> I am not sure if there are any other questions I should be asking at this
> time.
>
> Thank yo in advance for your suggestions and support
> HankL
> -----------------------------------------
>