Setting up a Win Server 2K3 File Server For Noobs?

Hi guys.

This is my first post on here so go easy on me.

I'll explain a bit of background behind my problem and then hopefully someone will be able to help.

I work for a small company which has 15 computers - maybe expanding to about 20 sometime soon. At present we all access files hosted on a Windows XP Pro machine - saved in shared folders. We all use XP Pro to access the shared folders over the MSHOME peer to peer network. The problem we have is that using XP file sharing, you cannot have more than 10 concurrent connections and obviously we need to expand on this.

So we've bought a copy of Windows Server 2003.

Is it possible to simply setup lots of shared folders, and just have all users on my network be able to connect to those shares? Does anyone know of any links to tutorials on how to do this?

I've installed win2k3 server and configured it as a file server and set shared folders up - the problem is when users connect to the shares they have to enter a username and password - I haven't set up any users on the server as I'm not sure how to do this? Can I just have 15 anonymous users connecting to the shares? Do I need to install Active Directory? Do I need to configure the server as a DHCP server or DNS server or is all that un-necessary?

If someone could give me some instruction or point me in the direction of a guide that would be a big help.

 

Windows Server 2003 Weekend Crash Course by Don Jones
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...7248-4534325?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows Server 2003 in 24 Hours by Joe Habraken
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/06...7248-4534325?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

Windows Server 2003 for Dummies by Ed Tittel, James Michael Stewart
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764516337/104-9367248-4534325?v=glance&n=283155

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If you setup local accounts on the server that match your user names and passwords on their desktops they will only be prompted for credentuals maybe once.

Administrative tools/ computer management / see attached



Right click on users and select new.

 

Wow, um, ok, where to start?

Do your users use usernames and passwords on their desktops? If so then you can just create 15 users on the server, but the usersnames/passwords will have to match.

Or, you could enable the guest account on the server and give it rights to all the shares.

Or, you could setup active directory and create user accounts and join all the clients to the new domain.

I guess the right answer is "it depends on what you want" in terms of security or functionality.

 

Thanks for the replies so far.

This is the thing, because I've no server experience I not sure what is suitable and what isn't for our requirement. Basically each workstation is configured for its users needs already so all I need the server for is to host shared folders which we all access - mainly a MS Acess database.

I don't know whether I need to setup Active Directory, DNS, DHCP etc - which is why I've posted here. I'm hoping someone might be able to make a recommendation.

 

No in your case let it just be a workgroup server.

Just create the users like I stated above, create your shared folder, then under the share permissions add the users you want and your golden.

 

If all your users are to have full access to all the files, then the easiest thing would be to create a batch file and stick it in the clients startup folder in XP that mapped a drive to a share on the server. Under that one share place all your files. You can pass a username/password in the batch file. Here's what the batch file will look like:

@ECHO OFF
net use F: //SERVERNAME/SHARENAME /user:\SERVERDOMAINNAME\administrator PASSWORD

I would look at one of those crash courses on Server 2K3. If all you are looking for is a way to share data, look at NAS (network attached storage). You could have got a box with a drive in it that connected to your network for what you have in the Server license!

 

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I'm actually getting somewhere now, I've simply configured the server as a file server, shared some folders, got the server on the same workgroup and the other PCs can finally see the server.

We can all access the shared folders and can all log on using Administrator - plus the set password. Is this the right way of going about this?

Also mjg1973 - what is the benefit of using a batch file to configure my mapped shares? I've simply mapped them in windows and they all appear in my computer without any probs. I've not come across using a batch file to map a drive and am very curious.

 

Sometimes you may have problems with the stored credentials. The batch file simply maps the drive passing username/password during the request. Also, if for some reason the drive gets disconnected, you can tell the user to click on Start -> All Programs -> Startup -> BATFILENAME and it will remap the drive.

 

Sorry to dredge this thread back up after 3 weeks.. but I had a question with regarding a similar config.

I've installed W2K3 SBS on our server, it's set up as a workgroup file sharing box. I've created shared folders, assigned the Guest group as having full access to each individual share. On client computers, I can mount the shares without incident (no passwords, etc.). However, when I go into network places, I see the server, but upon clicking to get a list of shares on the server, it says the following:

//ServerName is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Pester your admin.. hehe.. well, the last part I made up.

Anyways, is there a policy or setting somewhere that a guest can list the shares on this server? I'd do the batch file thing, but a notebook user in the office may not be connected to the network so I'd prefer not to have them bothered with error messages saying it can't connect to a shared network drive.

Ideas?

Thanks!!

 

How to map share in Win server 2003 using Windows ME??

hi guys, any can help me?How to map share folder in Win server 2003 using Windows ME?? why Win ME doesn't pop up login?how do i do to use user login ?

 

You need to make Microsoft Windows Logon your default in the network card properties (Where the installed protocols for it are listed). I can't remember the exact naming convention. Whatever it is, you want the other one.