A login server

[Jades]

I want to setup a login server with 3 computers at home so I can access my data from anywhere amongst those computers. They all run Windows 7 and we share the same wireless network point in fact there all laptops. How would I go about setting up a wireless network over my home internet so I can login and access my data from the computers. I would like it like my school setup where we can store data and no one else can access it and it to be available in Windows network and the login screen login using certain credentials.

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Hi Jades,
Welcome to Seven Forums.

Your School will be set up on a Domain which will be a little overkill and more difficult to set up at home however, there are alternatives.

You can set up a home group:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43961-homegroup-create.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43972-homegroup-add-computer-join.html

This guide will help you set permissions on folders:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/122666-permissions-allow-deny-users-groups.html

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

 

[Jades]

It is, I really wanted a domain because a homegroup you can't login to but I guess it will do but then I don't want my other family members to have access

 

[JDobbsy1987]

In order to set a domain up, you would need to get a dedicated server machine (or a PC powerful enough) and then install a server OS on it, after this you would then need to configure/set up the domain.

In Short...
I have got 3 PC's and 2 laptops.

1 of the PC's is 'acting' like a server (it is not a server and does not have a server OS on) I simply used this as a file share. All other PC's / Laptops connect to it via a UNC path or they have the UNC path saved as a short cut.

The only thing I haven't done is set file permissions on folders but the above guide will show you how this is done.

The reason I do this is because I then only have 1 PC to backup and all media/work is backed up, if 1 of my other PC's or Laptops die then I haven't lost any data

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

 

[Jades]

Would I be able to dual-boot Windows 7 and Windows server 2008?

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Providing Windows Server 2008 is running all the time then I'm sure that could be setup although i personally wouldn't advise setting a domain up (I'm thinking there will be a little more to it than installing the OS though) If that is ever down you won't be able to login (unless you have a cached profile) but either way you wouldn't have access to the data until started up again.

I have never actually configured a domain from scratch so I'm afraid that I won't be able to help configure it but someone here maybe able too.

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Can I just ask, what is the main goal from this?

A centralised storage space (Such as a file server)?
Just simply a logon server?

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

 

[Jades]

A logon server that I can use to login to my account on another computer.

 

[Jades]

And it doesn't matter, is there any ways to set folder permissions on homegroup folders like entering a password before viewing them but on my own PC I won't have to enter a password?

 

[JDobbsy1987]

A logon server that I can use to login to my account on another computer.

I think in this case you are still after a filer server due to the fact that when you login you still need to access your data from somewhere.

This is where the Homegroup helps, as far as logging on other computers you would just need to create an account on the other computers.

And it doesn't matter, is there any ways to set folder permissions on homegroup folders like entering a password before viewing them but on my own PC I won't have to enter a password?

You can set folder permissions however it doesn't work by asking for a password when accessing the file, you set permissions on the folder to allows users access to it - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/122666-permissions-allow-deny-users-groups.html

There maybe some 3rd party software that can do this.

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

 

[TechZilla]

Setting up a domain will require a Server OS and a decent machine. On the domain, from what you are saying you want, will also need to be your file server. Another thing that I'm not sure if you understand or not is that you will only be able to use your credentials if the machine is added to the domain. So you will have to set up your domain. Create the user accounts. Then add every machine that you use to the domain. (A domain is not the easiest thing in the world to set up and configure. It requires its share of maintenance as well.)

If the domain is down, you can still log in using your credentials, but your data will not be available.

What JDobbsy is suggesting is a much better solution. To lock down your folders you just need to make sure that only your account has access to it. Simple as that. But this will mean that you must login to each computer with that account every time, but it sounds like you want that anyway.

 

[fafhrd]

Windows servers are not cheap - apart from the cost of the OS software and the client licence for 5 seats, the hardware is at least a similar price and spec as your laptops or other PCs, since you note that they are all Windows 7 used as workstations. Could be over £500 in UK terms.

Another way is NAS - dedicated network attached storage, starts just about £120 for 2TB

You could use a Linux SaMBa server on a much lower spec machine (no GUI, permanent monitor or keyboard needed), which could be set up to act as a domain controller and could be managed from any of your windows machines with SWAT - served as interactive web pages in your browser. The software is free to download and use, like most open source stuff is. It's not that difficult to set up, and there is loads of information and community support online. Once it is set up you just leave it to run. From free to about £50 for the hardware,an old dektop for instance. It could boot from a CD and run mostly in RAM, then the only ongoing cost would be that of additional storage.

IMO NAS would probably would be the best way to go, in terms of ongoing energy consumption and initial price, and ease of use. Samba the most challenging to set up, could be fairly cheap and easy to expand the storage over time, and Windows Server the most expensive to start with, most expensive to run and maintain - but great training for a life of servitude...

How would I protect the data for different users? - hidden $hare$ with the standard windows UAC protection, or even volume mountpoints.