network without server

[DrWhoF]

we use network where server (win server 2000) works only as file server.
each computer in network has it's own access to internet via router and the only thing we share is a software that we use in our company + data base related to this software.
q: do we still need server?
if no, how can we set this network up?

 

[Abo Saker]

It depends on your needs......What's your requirment?
If you want to secure your Network, you need a server (domain controller) to apply certain rules to your users...(you can use the file server as Domain Controller also)
If you want to secure your internet connection, you need a firewall (you can install ISA or some other software which work as firewall + proxy + webcashing)
If you want to manage your internet Bandwidth among users, you need a server (ISA can do this), actually you can do it in your router but it's very complicated.
If you don't need all of these then you can connect your router to switch then connect all users to that switch and give the interface of internet router that connected to switch a secondary private IP (i.e...192.168.x.x) and of course all users must use that rang of IP also.

 

[IanP]

and if you don't want to know or be involved in any basic network issues, install NetworkMagic on all computers (you can find a version on the web with a patch that allows you to us it beyond the trial period) and it will find all computers, printers and any devices that attached to any computer within this network ..
after that you can select (mouse click) a subdirectory or drive that you would like to share (same as file server) and that's it ..

rgds,
ianp

 

[IanP]

try this version:

**broken link removed**
password: www.thehotzone.org

rgds,
ianp

 

[faghani]

you don't need windows server, all network softwares that support client/server, server side can be actually insalled on any workstation. so you need only the ip address of server side software.

 

[DrWhoF]

try this version:

**broken link removed**
password: www.thehotzone.org

rgds,
ianp

OK i'll give it a try

 

[DrWhoF]

Network Magic is fantastic but how to avoid constant call for buying it???

 

[chrisl]

You can use remote desktop to work on server...
why not???

 

[IanP]

Network Magic is fantastic but how to avoid constant call for buying it???

have you "patched" it ? (relevant EXE should come with the above version of software)
if no, you are using a trial version and as a such it will prompt you to purchase the licence ..
if yes, do not download updates as they will remove/overwrite the patch ..

rgds,
ianp