About Networking

[leolaw]

I have a question that had been bothered me for a while.
Here is the case:

I want to set up a file server so that I can easily store documents and back up software.
I have an old HP Pentium 3 933MHz computer at home and I want it to be a server.
Consider I am a real noob in networking:

I want the "HP" computer to be enable to log every account that connect to it (Like those in the office). And do I have to install a monitor for the "HP" server? because I want the server just sit on the floor with only the CAT-5 and the power plug in.

Will I be enable to do that? If yes, how?

PS. I will be enable to use Windows 2000 or Linux since I have both OS. But can you tell me which one I should perfer to use in term of the ease of use?

 

[IceNineJon]

Just set up an FTP server. Almost all of them keep logs. No, you don't need a monitor except when you initially configure it. If you know anything about Linux, I'd go with Linux since the FTP servers for it are free and it's easy to administer remotely, without a monitor.

 

[leolaw]

Do u have any "How-to" doc that I can follow with?

Again: I am a noob

 

[IceNineJon]

How to set up an FTP server in Windows or how to install and configure Linux?

 

[leolaw]

If you have both, that would be perfect

 

[loup garou]

There's no reason to use FTP. If you go with W2k just share a directory. Then mount it as a network drive on your client PCs and set it to automatically reconnect on startup. You don't need a monitor, just load VNC or Terminal Services (if that W2k is Server) and connect to the machine to manage it.

 

[leolaw]

hey werk, do u have "how-to" doc? Cuz i sort of heard of the Windows Terminal Services

 

[loup garou]

I'm assuming you know how to share a directory. After doing that...
Here's a tutorial on how to mount a network drive: http://www.cs.umd.edu/faq/pc/map_network_drive/map_network_drive.html

As for remote management, let's skip Terminal Services and go with VNC for now as it's simpler.
Go to http://www.realvnc.com and download and install the full x86 windows package on both your "server" and client. Set VNC server as a service, and start the service when it asks you in setup. Pick a password when it prompts you. Run the VNC client on your client PC and type in your server's computer name or IP address in the box, then the password when prompted, and there you go!