Home network and a file server?

[meblumen]

Currently I have a home network setup with 3-5 computers (3 are laptops that come in and out of the house). Most computer connect wirelessly through a linksys wireless router (into a linksys cable modem) but one desktop is hardwired to the router. My question is, although I have been able to enable file-sharing amongst the other computers with limited sucess, since there are several people using the computers, is there anyway I can create network user IDs and have all the files and settings load up regardless of what machine they choose to use. Every computer is running WinXP Pro, like I said, 3 are laptops, the other 2 are desktops, none of which share the same specs. Can I designate one a file server, install a huge HD in it and load everything off of it or is it better to just keep my current setup? And if so how do I go about implimenting this change? Thanks in advance for your help.

[doctorgonzo]

What you would need to do in this case is purchase Windows Server 2003 and 5 CALs to go along with it, then install it on the computer you will designate as a server. This isn't something that is going to be cheap or necessarily simple, but it is the way to go for what you want. Otherwise, just stick with the simple file sharing you have in place now.

[meblumen]

If I'm correct, it looks like WinServer 2003 is $800 so I don't think I'll be doing that anytime soon. Just out of curiousity, what is a CAL?

[doctorgonzo]

CAL = Client Access License. Windows Server licensing works in that you need a license for every client that connects to the server. So if five people are going to be using the server at the same time, you will need 5 CALs. If your enterprised expanded to where more people needed access, you would need to buy more CALs.

Otherwise, you can just set up a computer as a file server, have everybody put their files on that computer, and set up accounts onto every computer so people can sign in anywhere and access the files on the file server. There won't be roaming profiles, though, and things like the My Documents folder, Favorites, and the like will not be transfered between computers.

[mairving]

You could put a version of Linux or FreeBSD on an old computer and have a something akin to W2K3. It is a bit more work with a steeper learning curve but it will cost you 0$.