Using Windows XP Pro as File Server - Losing Connections

Richard Hein wrote:
> A small office is using a new Win XP Pro machine as a file server for
> 5 computers. Somehow, every week or so, people are losing connections
> with the server. One or more of the workstations are not releasing
> one of the 10 available licenses. I have set up a batch file to
> reboot the computer and reease the licenses. Is there a better way to
> do it than rebooting the server? Are there any other considerations
> when setting up the computer as a server?

As Tom Willett told you, you are bumping up against the concurrent
inbound connections limitation. You need to understand that these are
not "10 available licenses" and also that the limitation is on
*connections* and not *computers*. Each computer usually makes more than
one connection to a server or, in your case, a pseudo-server.

Inbound connections limit in XP - http://support.microsoft.com/?id=314882

5 - XP Home/Vista Home Basic
10 - Vista Home Premium/Vista Ultimate/XP Pro
49 - SBS 2000
74 - SBS 2003
Unlimited for full Server O/Ses

Solutions:

1. If you are only using the pseudo-server as a file server and have no
need to run Windows programs on it, replace XP Pro with a Linux distro
which has no such limitations. The disadvantage is that someone in your
office needs to know Linux to set it up or you will need to hire outside
tech support. Apple also makes a great server with no inbound connection
limitations but you would need to buy a new Apple computer.

2. If you want to stay with Microsoft products, replace XP Pro on the
pseudo-server with Microsoft Small Business Server. If you don't have
someone in-house who has the skill to set up SBS, then hire outside tech
support for the project. It will be well worth it to make sure that your
business is set up correctly and has a backup/disaster recovery strategy
in place.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
 >> Stay informed about: Using Windows XP Pro as File Server - Losing Connections 

"Richard Hein" wrote in message

>A small office is using a new Win XP Pro machine as a file server for
> 5 computers. Somehow, every week or so, people are losing connections
> with the server. One or more of the workstations are not releasing
> one of the 10 available licenses. I have set up a batch file to
> reboot the computer and reease the licenses. Is there a better way to
> do it than rebooting the server? Are there any other considerations
> when setting up the computer as a server?

This is a problem when using XP Pro as a server - it's isn't a server. You
really need to use something more appropriate.

If all the systems are local, and if you are simply storing files, it's
pretty quick, inexpensve and not overly complex to use a Linux system, such
as Ubuntu Desktop, turning on Samba and specifying the users needed. It
took me about half an hour to figure out the few things needed to get this
to work, the first time. I would suggest that you do get the Desktop
version, not the Server, as it's a little easier to wade through if you are
unfamiliar with Linux. The Server version is mostly command-line, last I
checked (and promptly reinstalled the desktop).

http://www.ubuntu.com/


This can work very well, in your context may not need really high-end
hardware, and is significantly cheaper than the Windows Small Business
Server or Windows 2003 Server.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/howtobuy/pricing.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/pricing.mspx

HTH
-pk
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