Once again, it is off topic, but the input of this group is of high quality.

I have 5 PC with XP Home.
I have one broadband Internet Connection.
Is it possible to have alll 5 PC to be online at the same time?
Is it possible to have one PC store all the data files and let other PC to
get access to the files?
Is it possible to have all PC print to one printer?
any article for reference?

Many thanks for your tolerence for this off topic question.

Re: set up a network by Henry

Henry
Thu Oct 23 03:41:30 CDT 2003

Try looking here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/howto/homenet/default.asp

While I'm sure the Group appreciates the flattery, but it's no
substitute for using the "Correct" resource. If the group became a
source of solution for every question related to anything and
everything even close to a SBS Network you can imagine the Chaos and
Confusion, not to mention the unbelievable load. ...and there is no
reason as there are skilled and knowledgeable people contributing to all
the Newsgroups, and those Newsgroups are targeted to the needs/skill
groups.

For a list of relevant resources see:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/newsgroups/default.asp
vis:
microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web

However, You should be aware that XP Home has a limit of 5 simultaneous
connections. ie: no more than 5 simultaneous connections to XP Home
resources (shares, printers, etc...) are allowed. You'll also want to be
extremely vigilant and careful of Security.

IMHO: the cost of management of such a P2P network alone is more than
the Upgrade cost to XP Pro Machines, and the Benefits of SBS more than
outweigh it's price with the initial 5 CALs.

...and when you do upgrade you can post to the group and be "on topic"
too :-)

--
Henry Craven
------------------
31 Oct = 25 Dec

"Music Lover" <music@my-heart.org> wrote in message
news:ezR6IJTmDHA.2776@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Once again, it is off topic, but the input of this group is of high
quality.
>
> I have 5 PC with XP Home.
> I have one broadband Internet Connection.
> Is it possible to have alll 5 PC to be online at the same time?
> Is it possible to have one PC store all the data files and let other
PC to
> get access to the files?
> Is it possible to have all PC print to one printer?
> any article for reference?
>
> Many thanks for your tolerence for this off topic question.
>
>
>




Re: set up a network by Merv

Merv
Thu Oct 23 06:51:10 CDT 2003

What Henry said. Plus a couple of resources...

Windows XP Home Edition
http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/winxphom.htm

Practically Networked HowTo Files
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto/

Windows Xp How-To Articles
http://www.kayodeok.btinternet.co.uk/favorites/kbasewinxphowto.htm

The Elder Geek on Windows XP
http://www.theeldergeek.com/

Suggestions:
Internet Sharing... Buy a cheap router for sharing the broadband connection
simultaneously.

File Sharing... WinXP HE uses Simple File Sharing. This let's all network
users read/change the files on the "server" PC. However, you can't specify
which folders can be seen/changed by which user. It's "all or nothing" when
it comes to file sharing. Therefore, security (and the potential for
accidental deletion) can be an issue. XP Pro allows for greater
"granularity" (can share folders and specify access by user name).

Printer Sharing... This can be done with WinXP HE (or WinXp Pro) but the
computer must be left on at all times so other network users can access the
printer.

And if the XP HE is also being used as a workstation by someone, if the
computer locks up, data can be corrupted or lost if other users are
accessing files on it at the time of the lock up.

--
Merv Porter [SBS MVP]
===================================
"Music Lover" <music@my-heart.org> wrote in message
news:ezR6IJTmDHA.2776@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Once again, it is off topic, but the input of this group is of high
quality.
>
> I have 5 PC with XP Home.
> I have one broadband Internet Connection.
> Is it possible to have alll 5 PC to be online at the same time?
> Is it possible to have one PC store all the data files and let other PC to
> get access to the files?
> Is it possible to have all PC print to one printer?
> any article for reference?
>
> Many thanks for your tolerence for this off topic question.
>
>
>