Setting up Client/Server Networking

[Mazhar]

I have 8 computers in my office and I want to create a client/server networking. I have bought all the hardware like cables, switch and lan card is built-in in the computers. So the hardware side is complete, I just have to connect the ends of cables to PCs and the switch and that is it but now the problem is of software side. I want to make a PC server and other PCs, clients. So how do I do it? How to I setup a PC server and other clients?

[James812]

  Mazhar said:

I have 8 computers in my office and I want to create a client/server networking. I have bought all the hardware like cables, switch and lan card is built-in in the computers. So the hardware side is complete, I just have to connect the ends of cables to PCs and the switch and that is it but now the problem is of software side. I want to make a PC server and other PCs, clients. So how do I do it? How to I setup a PC server and other clients?

If you just want file sharing just enable folder sharing in windows xp to share your files.

Anymore it depends what you want the server roles to be.

[Mazhar]

I just want a server PC to handle the clients, I just want to make a PC server.

[Harry Crumb]

It really all depends on what you want the server to do. With a small network, I wouldn't recommend running your own DNS, domain, web, or application server unless you have a specific need to do so. Hosting is actually cheaper for small networks and requires less maintenance. I would stick with using the DHCP in your firewall/router, and possibly purchase a small NAS appliance with RAID 1 for file & print sharing.

BTW, if you plan to add a couple more computers in the near future, you will need a dedicated NAS appliance or a box running Windows Server. Windows XP and Vista have a concurrent connection limit for file sharing. I believe it's 10 connections. I'm assuming it is a Windows-only network.

[Brian M. Veteran]

Given as you're discussing Server Software, I'll move it here - it'll probably get more attention by the server guys :)

[bobbba]

You have several options:

A NAS box - for shared storage and possibly backup (cheap, easy to setup, support but basic)

Linux and SAMBA - for a free windows compatible server platfrom - not my speciality though and it may be difficult to support

Windows 2003/Windows 2008 - for basic file, print sharing, centrlaised user accounts and a web server

Windows 2003 Small Busniess server - for email, calendars, databases and everyting that you get with Windows 2003 standard

The Windows SBS package is really good and you get quite alot for your money imop.

There is a Windows 2008 version of SBS and it's nearly finished so it may be worth holding out for that.

[shayne119]

I would personally just go for Server 2003 Small Business Server, should do everything you need. But if you are willing to wait for a little while 2008 is the way to go. Much Much better support and a lot easier to manage.

[markwolfe Veteran]

  James812 said:

If you just want file sharing just enable folder sharing in windows xp to share your files.

Anymore it depends what you want the server roles to be.

Agreed. For filesharing, this is going to be the quickest, cheapest, easiest solution for the thread starter. Why make things more complex by introducing the need to purchase and set up more advanced software like Server 2008 or Active Directory?

[+BudMan MVC]

I agree file sharing might be all the OP is after?? But honestly I do not believe he understand what he wants.

"I want to create a client/server networking"

"I just want a server PC to handle the clients"

What exactly do you want the "server" to handle??

[Mazhar]

Ok, now I am not making a server /client netwrok but I am just connecting them in peer-to peer. At this time I just need to share files and use netmeeting. Now I tell you what i did?

I connected all the computers through cables with a switch. I run the network setup wizard in XP on every computer. Now I can share files and I can see every computer on network and I can also run netmeeting but it shows the limited or no connectivity error! And it says that the network PCs do not have the network addresses. Now how do I solve this problem. Even though I got what I wanted but I want to do it cleanly without any error or problem. Please help.

[+BudMan MVC]

Well do you have a dhcp server? If not then your just using APIPA addresses -- ie random addresses windows will give itself if set for dhcp, with no server.

If you do not have a gateway off your local network, then yes if set for dhcp and and using APIPA, ie no gateway windows will report limited connectivity..

To remove these errors run a dhcp server or setup your machines with static IPs.

If you do not have a gateway -- ie something that shares internet.. router or PC running ICS then leave the gateway empty.

[Mazhar]

How do I get DHCP server? I have a gateway which is a switch through which I connect all the PCs. Now How do I run a DHCP server or how do I setup my machines with static IPs?

[patconn87]

Sounds to me as if you don't have a router/gateway. In order to get rid of the "Limited or No Connectivity" error message, you'd have to set up your machines with Static IPs, assuming that you don't actually have a Server 2003/2008 box on your network.

To assign static IPs, open up Control Panel, go to Network Connections, and then right-click your LAN connection and hit Properties. Then, select Internet Protocol, and hit the Properties button. Select the option for "Assign an IP address manually" (or something along those lines), and use an IP address like 192.168.1.100, with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. Do this on each of your machines, but don't assign the same IP address to each machine, or you will get conflicts. Since you don't seem to have a router, leave the Gateway address blank.

Hope that helps.

[Mazhar]

Ok, but do switches have a gateway? and do they have a firmware where I can administer the network? I do ot have a Hub, I do not have a router but I bought a 16-port switch of baylan.

[Maximum Error]

No - Switches do not have a gateway - for that functionality you will need a router. Hubs and switches only perform one function.

[patconn87]

  Mazhar said:

Ok, but do switches have a gateway? and do they have a firmware where I can administer the network?

It depends on the kind of switch you have. Most smaller switches don't have a management interface. The switches that usually do are the larger 24-port, 50-port and larger that you'd find in most server rooms.

The typical 10/100 workgroup switch doesn't have a "gateway" in it. The gateway is basically a synonym for a router. The switch does nothing more than move data between different ports. It does not have any kind of IP routing functionality built into it.

If you're looking to share an internet connection over this network, you need to go out and spend about $50 on a router (wired or wireless). That router will also take care of all of your computers' IP configurations.

Hope that answers some of your questions.

[Mazhar]

can't I share the internet using Internet connection sharing option in win XP?

[fault]

  Quote

can't I share the internet using Internet connection sharing option in win XP?

Yes, you can, but I've found it flaky at times for many home users let alone an office. A router is the way to go! Plus, you don't have to leave a silly machine on all the time or worry about it going down, etc. Nonetheless, if you want to:

• Description of Internet Connection Sharing
  
• How to configure Internet Connection Sharing in Windows XP
  

[Mazhar]

I have assigned the Static IPs to my PCs on the network and the network is running fine now. But I have a problem:

When I am accessing PC2 from PC1, I want PC2 to ask for password before giving access to PC1. How do I do it? To try this, I made my account on PC2 password protected but still I can access PC2 from PC1 without password.

[fault]

If you are using Windows XP Professional on the target machine, disable Simple File Sharing which allows for fine grain control using Access Control Lists (ACLs). If you are using Windows XP Home, Simple File Sharing (using the Guest account for authentication) is all you have by default, so you're out of luck. You should read this: How to configure file sharing in Windows XP.