Windows Server 2008

[marshalex]

I've just got windows server 2008 (in an attempt to learn how to use it for a job i might be going for) and am wondering how easy it is to set up and use as a home server so I can access files/programs etc. Is it possible to do this with windows server connecting via a wireless router or does it really need to be wired? Will it matter which OS i'm connecting with (have computers with Win 7 XP, Vista Home and XP) and is there a basic guide anywhere which I can follow to do this? Thanks

edit: i'd like to be able to do everything wirelessly as the router i've got is plugged into teh master socket (which isn't located in an ideal place to connect a computer to)

[Jay]

Any OS should connect to Windows 2008 fine, running a server via wireless is not ideal but would work. Are you thinking of setting up a domain? What spec is the server? Have you thought about running it on VMWare?

[arthurleung]

To use wireless in Win2008 you need to install the wireless service in Features.
I've been using Win2008 and its great. Used it with XP, Vista and Win7 clients and all are fine.

Apart from the interface and the server components its really no difference from Vista.

Using wireless is not recommended as if it failed to connect to the access point then you have to sit at the server to troubleshoot. (And servers tends not to have monitors and keyboards attached)
It will be easier to use a wireless bridge.

[marshalex]

I'd like to set up a domain so then I can log on to any computer in the house and access my files (which I have done already based on the MCSA/MCSE Exam 70-290 guide). Spec wise i'm going to run it on my i7 rig listed as my system for the time being just to see how things go and then possibly transfer it to my older 939 computer at a later date if it all works ok. I've got it installed on a seperate partition on the computer and just need some pointers on installing the required addons (already got wireless networking for server installed) and connecting the computer to the domain i've setup. I've read somewhere that to see files on other computers you need to be logged on as the same name/user or something, sorry if thats a bit vauge i've never really done networking like this before (hence the desire to learn it!)

[Jay]

well Vista home can not log onto a domain, same with XP Home and Windows 7 Starter and Home Premium.

Read up on Active Directory and folder permissions.

[arthurleung]

I'd like to set up a domain so then I can log on to any computer in the house and access my files (which I have done already based on the MCSA/MCSE Exam 70-290 guide). Spec wise i'm going to run it on my i7 rig listed as my system for the time being just to see how things go and then possibly transfer it to my older 939 computer at a later date if it all works ok. I've got it installed on a seperate partition on the computer and just need some pointers on installing the required addons (already got wireless networking for server installed) and connecting the computer to the domain i've setup. I've read somewhere that to see files on other computers you need to be logged on as the same name/user or something, sorry if thats a bit vauge i've never really done networking like this before (hence the desire to learn it!)

Not necessary, when you put in a path it will ask for username/password (if different). If it doesn't work then use the map network drive option where you can define the username/password to login.

The simplest way is to disable simple file sharing on the "server" and just use administrative share
\\computer2\c$
to access all available drives on the target computer using administrator-level account.

When you don't need the kind of file security that an active domain provides, just go for the easiest method.