Advanced Server and WINXP PCs

[Big Sky]

I have a Shuttle P4 2.2 GHz PC (1GB ram, 200GB HD) that I thought I'd turn
into a server for my home network consisting of all WinXP PCs. I intend to
use this PC to (a) store photos, videos, and important files for shared use
and (b) install a Hauppauge card with Snapstream software to share TV around
the house. I don't intend to use it as a backup device because my 100MB/s
wired LAN would be slow as would the computer sitting on an 802.11G
connection. I'll use internal HDs or external USB HDs for backup. Nor do I
intend to use it as an FTP server. It will only be accessed by PCs on my
LAN.

Does Advanced Server play well with WinXP PCs? I've had problems in the
past getting XP machines to talk to my 2000 Pro machine on the LAN. Can a
medium level computer user get it set up without needing a MS certification?
Or should I just bite the bullet and get an OEM copy of Server 2003 or
(gasp) try to enter into the linux realm? Seems that the new MS server
software is more feature rich and easier to set up but I may be able to get
Advanced Server for much less.

I do have a copy of Win 2000Pro. Can I just use this OS and then share the
directories on my LAN to get the same functionality? Why would it be
better, if at all, to get Advanced Server or the new server OS?

Thanks,

BigSky


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[Dave Patrick]

Re: Advanced Server and WINXP PCs

I'll assume you're talking about a member server. Yes, networking between XP
and Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 will work equally well.



--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

"Big Sky" wrote:
>I have a Shuttle P4 2.2 GHz PC (1GB ram, 200GB HD) that I thought I'd turn
>into a server for my home network consisting of all WinXP PCs. I intend to
>use this PC to (a) store photos, videos, and important files for shared use
>and (b) install a Hauppauge card with Snapstream software to share TV
>around the house. I don't intend to use it as a backup device because my
>100MB/s wired LAN would be slow as would the computer sitting on an 802.11G
>connection. I'll use internal HDs or external USB HDs for backup. Nor do
>I intend to use it as an FTP server. It will only be accessed by PCs on my
>LAN.
>
> Does Advanced Server play well with WinXP PCs? I've had problems in the
> past getting XP machines to talk to my 2000 Pro machine on the LAN. Can a
> medium level computer user get it set up without needing a MS
> certification? Or should I just bite the bullet and get an OEM copy of
> Server 2003 or (gasp) try to enter into the linux realm? Seems that the
> new MS server software is more feature rich and easier to set up but I may
> be able to get Advanced Server for much less.
>
> I do have a copy of Win 2000Pro. Can I just use this OS and then share
> the directories on my LAN to get the same functionality? Why would it be
> better, if at all, to get Advanced Server or the new server OS?
>
> Thanks,
>
> BigSky