Hi all,
I currently have a standard Ethernet p2p network set up in my house, but I really would like to be able to set up a domain based one that would allow me to do the following features for the cheapest proce (Think <200)

The ablity to install a program one one computer and have it avaible for ALL computers on the network
The Ablity to log on and off with the same username/password at any computer
A Server GUI


The only promblem I have is first, Samba probably won't let me to #1, and a Windows Server system is WAY to much $$$$$. Finally, I made the stupid mistake of using XP HOME on all my computers, and, from what I have heard, HOME won't let you log into a network.

So, I ask you, is there anyway you can see doing something like this?

:confused:

Having been in many a Unix lab in college I'm pretty sure this is possible with Linux...but I wouldn't know how to do it.

One of the things you're going to have a problem with though, especially with a MS OS, is #1. Most software requires you to purchase a network license to be able to do that. But if it's open source software (like with Linux) than that might not be a problem.

I use mostley open source Win software, so that wouldn't be a promblem. :)

Well, Windows will not let you do all of those things for under 200 dollars. and I'm not sure on the #1 thing with linux. allthough linux has the ability to allow multiple users to log on to it from various other computers thoughout the network, but I haven't tried it yet maybe later. As for the other two items on your list. Both windows and linux will allow that. allthough linux will be cheaper in the long run. you would have to learn how to set it up and use different programs in linux. if you had to have a windows version you could try signing up for the WINDOWS 2003 BATA TESTING program (if it is even still operational) that way you would recieve a copy of Windows 2003 Server very cheap but it would only work for 120 days.

I did the linux thing and it worked great until my Wife (CASPER) decided she didn't like having to learn a new operating system (icons looked different so she didn't like it) so I had to change back to a windows domain.

Hope this helps
Joel

Well, I can use WinXP Pro (which we are planning to upgrade to, anyway) on all our computers, then set up a SAMBA server on the linux box. The only thing I don't really get is how to set it up so that programs are shared.

Can Novell Netware do this (I can get it cheep off E-Bay)

I don't think there's a way to do what you want to do. To my knowledge (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) you will have to install the software on every computer that you want to use it on.

Now, here's the problem. Legally, depending on the user license for the software, you may not be allowed to do that. Usually when you purchase software, like MS Office, you are purchasing only one user license. Meaning only one user can use it at a time. Can you install it on both your desktop computer and your laptop? Well...technically I don't know. You could say that you're only going to be using one at a time and therefore it's legal. You could also just say "I don't really care" and install it on as many computers in your house as you want, but that's really up to you.

The way businesses and schools work around this is by purchasing group licenses. And it's really only businesses and schools that would get in trouble for this anyway. I don't think they'll crack down on a small family and their home network. But if you're really concerned about this then you buy a group license or a network license and run a network license server. When you try to open the software it first checks to see if there's an available license. If all the network licenses are in use then it won't run.

But you said all the software you are using is open source or freeware, so this shouldn't be necessary. Just install it on every computer. Is there a reason you don't want to do that?

Yes, for 2 main reasons:

I actually share my network with a few neighbors (arn't I nice!), and they have expressed intrest in this

And 2, for the"coolness" factor :geek:

Also, I do have a tendency to always be reinstalling and formatting HD's, so I don't want to always have to install every program on every computer :)

Then create a disk image of what you want a hard drive to contain after formatting and reinstalling. Once you reformat then just copy that image to the HD. All personal user settings can be saved to the server in their user directory. This makes it nice when a user sets a desktop image, IE Favorites, etc. The computer will look the same for them, with all their custom settings in tact, no matter which computer they log in from.

But you're still going to have to have every program installed on every computer. I don't see a way around that. Even if it were possible to load programs into memory from the network they'd run much slower than if they were installed locally.

Ok, thanks all.

I can deal with that, I was just hoping for a work around.

Now All I need to to is either, A) Upgrade to PRO (we still are trying to decicde if we REALLY want to spend the money on our computers to go from HOME to PRO, or to wait for Longhorn, or B) To find a program that can do the server login seperate from Windows (anyone know of one?).

Also, Bill:
All personal user settings can be saved to the server in their user directory. This makes it nice when a user sets a desktop image, IE Favorites, etc. The computer will look the same for them, with all their custom settings in tact, no matter which computer they log in from.

How would I configure Windows for this, if I was going to a SAMBA server?

I do know that Staff Office has a windows version that will let you install it as a network client, but you still have to install it on EVERY Computer that you want to use it from so that the Necessary Registry keys and system files are installed.

Unfortunatly there is a solution and it's considered 70's technology. you could turn your computers into TERMINALS. ie use a server system like Cirtix WINFRAME (www.citrix.com)to host the opSYS and all programs with in the server and have all others log into it. the Company my wife works for does this and it keeps manegment to a minumum it is also VERY VERY VERY Slow, and uses a huge amount of Network Resources.

I don't think the coolness factor would be that high, but it's your network. Also if you have a habbit (like I do) of formatting the computer every so often (once per month in my case) there are several programs that will help you cut the time down. 1 Power quest Drive Image, 2. Norton Ghost. we use Drive Image at my office and it works wonders set a computer up make an image of it onto CD's/DVD's/HDD's then when it's time to format re-install the image and install all programs that you want that aren't there and uninstall the ones that you don't want then re-image it to update you image. take you A LOT less time. like 20 - 30 minutes to restore a 6GB image.


Joel

Originally posted by DisneyFan25863
How would I configure Windows for this, if I was going to a SAMBA server? Well, now you're asking me about Linux server admin stuff. Can't help you there. I did take a couple basic MCSE courses but it was for NT server. I'm sure it's possible to have Windows clients on a Linux network. That's the way most of the Windows labs at school were set up. I just don't know how to do it.

Originally posted by Bill Catherall
Well, now you're asking me about Linux server admin stuff. Can't help you there. I did take a couple basic MCSE courses but it was for NT server. I'm sure it's possible to have Windows clients on a Linux network. That's the way most of the Windows labs at school were set up. I just don't know how to do it.

Ok, Thanks. I'll go down to the libary next week to see if they have anything :)