i have a client who wants to set up 1 server and 3 clients. however he wants a dedicated file server running win98....should i set it up as though im setting up a 4 client peer to peer?
Printable View
i have a client who wants to set up 1 server and 3 clients. however he wants a dedicated file server running win98....should i set it up as though im setting up a 4 client peer to peer?
Yes.
Though Windows 98 is not really considered a network operating system, it can still act as a file and print server. Just make it share whatever folders or printers you need shared.
Keep in mind, though, that Win9x doesn't do a lot of server stuff (like security). You can kind of set up Win98 SE as a proxy server. For a small company without these concerns, Win9x isn't a bad alternative.
Good luck!
This may sound like fatherly advice, but experience is a great teacher. I've got the marks to show for it.
Definitely cover your butt before you go in and spend a bunch of time on this. It seems like every customer/user has a different "dream" as to what a "file server" will do. Present in writing the different options that each solution offers and let them make the final choice. Often the client will choose a spendier (more profit to you) solution that will allow some scalability in the years to come. It may require more work right now, but putting in a network solution that falls short now or in the near future can be costly and aggravating.
As for specifics, I just love Win2K. A pain in the @#$ to install and configure on anything more than a couple of years old, but man is it stable! The security features are right up there, and I've actually found it to be more forgiving (compatible) with alot of older add-on cards. (Bill Gates: send check or money order to....) but seriously. Good luck in your endeavors.
Louie
actually i did it last friday--the guy had called and needed it done as a lastminute thing on friday afternoon. i have done the small #'ed peer to peer thing and other client server networks, but i just freaked out when he wanted a 98 machine as a "server." i began to question myself as though i had missed out on something. nevertheless i pitched him into going with a small Novell network which he didnt seem to interested in (he was the kind of guy that likes to fiddle around and know 110% about the workings on his computers). however it went with a breeeze. i just didnt want to go there unprepared--thanks guys.