Windows XP Home Edition - Can it be networked?

Big.Wayne

Big.Wayne

Big.Wayne

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Hello all,

sorry if this is a nOObish question but I need a bit of quick advice.

I have been asked to set-up a small office network but the budget is so tight that the (four) pre-built machines I have spec'ed come with Windows XP Home Edition. I have only ever worked with Windows XP Professional and I cant remember the differences?

Basically what I want to find out is can I network all these machines together using a giga-switch and ADSL-router like I would when building a network with the Pro version?

Thanks in advance! :)
 
the main difference is that home won't be able to join a domain but pro will.

Thats ok if your just gonna use a workgroup. (much less secure)
 
On a 4 user network then you probably wouldn't need the hassle of AD etc.

Just remember that all usernames will need to be configured on machine that will access so if filesharing etc.
 
shocking said:
Go with XP Pro and prevent any future problems which you WILL be blamed for...
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Slightly OTT statement. As the others here have said, XP Home will suffice for basic workgroup networking - in some ways Pro will complicate that and brings nothing to the table.

As long as the OP is upfront with his employer/customer then there are no issues.
 
Thanks for answers all, the client wants a ton of work doing for very little money, he originally asked me for three workstations, an all-in-one network printer/scanner/fax and a service contract to look after it all for a year . . . . . . and offered £1000 lol! :eek:

Would like to get WinXP pro but thats quite a bit extra over the cost of WinXP home that is included with the prebuilt machines.

I'm just putting togther a quote now for £2500, can't wait to see the look on his face.

There is no Main server, so now 'AD', was just intending to link them all up in a workgroup.

I will look into the upgrade cost for adding WinXp Pro and do a seperate quote.
 
Big.Wayne said:
There is no Main server, so now 'AD', was just intending to link them all up in a workgroup.
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I hope for your sakes that they don't have a high turn over of staff, otherwise your going to be spending most of your life adding users to machines a setting network shares. (much more than £30 per machine per year!!)

:eek:
 
O.T: maintenance charge

I have no idea what this means really but normally I add extra in for support when I build and sell machines myself but this is the first time I've decided to buy pre-builts.

So £30 per machine per month um,

Three x Machines = £90/Month

Annual Service Contract= £1080 :eek:

Your kidding right?
 
Big.Wayne said:
Annual Service Contract= £1080 :eek:
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In all fairness, for 3 machines support (as well as all the extra 'support' that they will think is included) I don't think that is a bad deal for them at all. I'd make sure that you put down some fairly strict rules on what you include within that contract for that price..
 
Poolybit said:
In all fairness, for 3 machines support (as well as all the extra 'support' that they will think is included) I don't think that is a bad deal for them at all.
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And thats additional to the cost of the hardware?

Hmm think I better have a rethink before I send the quote! :cool:
 
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