Connecting 6 PCs to one Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition SP1

[92840382]

Hello, i am very new to win server 2003. You can say this is my first day. I have pc with MS Windows Servre 2003 R2 Standard Edition SP1 installed on it. My problem is how I can configure this server to communicate with 6 PCs. There should be a network connection between server and 6 PCs, so that 6 PCs can get and store data on one server. Please help me as soon as possible, I will be very much thankful to you.

with best regards

Javed

 

[nevets2001uk]

In the most simple environment you will need to create user accounts on the server for any users that will be accessing data. You can then create a folder and share it, setting the permissions so that your users have read / write access to the folder.

Then the users on the PC's should be able to map a drive to the server using a path such as \\SERVER\FOLDERNAME to access the files.

The only requirement is that the server and PC's are all on the same network and can talk to each other via IP.

Steve G (MCSE / MCSA:Messaging)

 

[92840382]

very very thanks for your response, could you please explain how to create user accounts on server. I tried it by: Control Panel-User Accounts, but when i click on User Accounts, it comes message:

Local Users and Groups

The computer SERVER3 is a domain controller. This snap- in cannot be used on a domain controller. Domain
accounts are managed with the Active Directory Users
and Computers snap-in.

Also it would be very nice of you if you explain how Server and PC's can talk to each other via IP, should the server have permanent IP or ....

 

[pendal1]

You need to install active directory via dcpromo to create a domain controller. You will obviously be the only domain controller in the network. Then you can create user accounts, create shared folders (one for each user if you like) and map the drive.

 

[nevets2001uk]

Did you install the server or was it already in place? It sounds like your server is already a domain controller for Windows 2003. In which case follow the instruction you were given to add users via the Users and Computers Snap-In. Since you are new at this I recommend doing some research via google before you do anything as you don't want to damage the setup. It may be other users are accessing it already.

Yes. The server should have a perminant IP address and the clients can either be configured with DHCP to pick up suitable addresses or set with fixed IP addresses as well. Their IP's need to be in the same network subnet in order to talk directly. Once you think they are configured you can test the connection by using the PING command line tool.

Steve G (MCSE / MCSA:Messaging)

 

[92840382]

pendal1: Thanks dear pendal1 for your answer. Domain Controller is already installed, If I am the only Domain Controller in network: to answer this question I explain you the physical situation. There is a server since 8 years and it was decided to replace this server with new one to get more storage capacity. This new server was installed in network parallel to older one to test if new one is working well. 6 Users and computers were created on new server. The idea was if new one working well then older will be disconnected from network. First it was all ok but after some hours there came problem with communication between 6 PC's and new server, there was no more connection between PC's and server. So there were two servers at the same time on network. Both servers have SQL Server and MPS system installed. My problem is basically I am a programmer but I am advised to do this job.

nevets2001uk: Thanks again for your reply, yes server was already installed as written above. All users were created and computers were added. No other users are accessing it because I have taken this server out of network and want to test it locally by first connecting only one computer through my local network and then second... How a server/clients are assigned a permanent IP addresses in the same network subnet, please explain. I will be very thankful to you.

 

[nevets2001uk]

You should specify the IP settings by entering the properties for the network connection and going to the properties for TCP/IP. In there set you IP address and subnet mask. An example would be...

Server - IP = 192.168.0.1, SUBNET = 255.255.255.0
Client PC - IP = 192.168.0.10, SUBNET = 255.255.225.0

As long as a physical connection exists then they should be able to contact each other. You can use the PING command line tool to test the connection.

Steve G (MCSE / MCSA:Messaging)

 

[92840382]

I think the main problem is that there is no physical connection exists between Server and PC's. I tried to create a new Connection using New Connection Wizard but no success. There is a connection of type LAN on old Server and this connection is working very well. But when i click on this connection to open properties dialog box the window with Network and Dial-up Connections closes. There is network connection which goes to a 10/100 Fast Ethernet Switch and this Switch gives two connection one to the old server and second to the new server. I tried to make a new connection of type LAN on new server using wizard by first chosing 'Connect to the Internet' and then 'Connect using a broadband connection that is always on' and when I click on Next it comes message 'Your broadband connection should already be configured and ready to use. ....'. But there is no connection in 'Network and Dial-up Connections'. What is going wrong and where ?.

 

[92840382]

I have checked right now that Network Connection service is no started and I tried to Stop or Start or Restart it but no option is active. Also i cann't start

http://WWW service

because 'The dependency service or group failed to start.'. Any suggestions ?.

 

[nevets2001uk]

Does the server have a network card properly installed? You should see local area connection in the Network Connections area if so. This will be the connection you need to configure.

Steve G (MCSE / MCSA:Messaging)

 

[92840382]

yes the server has network card properly installed, because server has worked very well first 5 months. But now i think it is another problem: may be its a virus because there are such things that i have noticed. I have written a new thread with title: 'Can not start IIS Admin Service' at

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1405686&page=1

There I have written all details. Please have a look at it.
Thanks.