[devonps]

Originally Posted by Angry@VMedia

Hi!
I know all I seem to do is post for help, but hey, nobody is perfect!

Right, now I have aquired a new PC, which I would like to use as my network server, current setup is as follows:
3 desktop PC's (including the new server)
2 laptop & 2 games consoles.
Now the current setup is each machine connects wirelessly through a wireless router then the router wired to the cable modem.
The new PC I want to be the network backup & print server, and if possible want the new server PC to share the internet connection to the other machines, which is the best way to go?
I have a few options, such as do I stick with Windows XP PRO on the server or should I go for Windows Home Server?

I have a few spare big hard drives that I could use to store the backups on, I am just confused on how I can setup the network connections, such as, if I went for the option to let the other machines connect to the internet through the server wirelessly, where would the wireless router fit into the equasion?

I am confused as I have never had the spare machine for a server or never needed to do it at previous work places as they already had their networks setup.

Also, I need the server locked down as securely as possible, but there may be occasions where I might need to access my network away from home, so I need to take this into consideration.

Please take pity on me, as I doubt I would be able to do this without any help, I have ideas but I would probably bodge it up somewhere along the line!

For a bit of background on myself: I have built up PC's for the last 12 years, and I would say I know more about PC's than most, but obviously I do not know it all!

So again, if anyone can help I would really appreciate it, as I am already confuzzled!

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

I have a couple of questions for you - that should you to remove some of the confused haze that surrounds you...

Originally Posted by Angry@VMedia

The new PC I want to be the network backup & print server, and if possible want the new server PC to share the internet connection to the other machines

This implies you want your new PC to be multi tasking, i.e. Network attached storage(NAS), print server and a DHCP server as well. Depending on your hardware specs ALL of these tasks are possible from one box/server.

I'm not sure why you want to take over the DHCP tasks, when your current wireless router is doing a good enough job.

Originally Posted by Angry@VMedia

...such as do I stick with Windows XP PRO on the server or should I go for Windows Home Server?

Have you considered purchasing a ready made solution for your network storage?

Also what about using a Linux flavour to satisfy your needs, e.g. Ubuntu - server edition 8.04LTS

Originally Posted by Angry@VMedia

...I am just confused on how I can setup the network connections

This can be confusing at times, I suggest you look into providing a static IP address for your NAS.

Originally Posted by Angry@VMedia

I need the server locked down as securely as possible

Totally agree with your statement and you should start with this level of security from the beginning. One thing I've found that helped me was to draw a diagram of the different desktops, server, routers, hubs & modem and to connect them all via a line. I also write down the different IP addresses(internal and external) that I want to be assigned to each of them.

Originally Posted by Angry@VMedia

...but there may be occasions where I might need to access my network away from home

For this you will need to use port forwarding. This can be achieved by logging onto your router's config page and completing the questions it asks. But you can't really do this until you have identified the internal IP addresses for each of your machines, i.e. your NAS box REALLY SHOULD have a static IP.

Originally Posted by Angry@VMedia

...I have built up PC's for the last 12 years, and I would say I know more about PC's than most

One thing you will learn is that putting together the hardware & software to enable a PC to function, bears very little relevance to networking - this is something I've learnt the hard way!

Finally, please take my post as it was intended - good natured, honest and trying to be helpful.

You're at a critical point in constructing your home network, i.e. trying to decide what you want to happen, e.g. NAS, print server, DHCP. Take your time and document each step - that way if you have to flatten anything you can maybe rebuild slightly quicker next time.

Steve.