Pemolis

I wanted to create somekind of home network for my computers but I lack the knowledge of some basic stuff (the common knowledge stuff that is not answered in tutorials or how-to's).

Can I create a Domain without having a dedicated computer to be a domain controller?!?

Is there any way to secure connections with a workgroup when using a router to connect the computers (the router connects straight to the net, so no real dedicated firewall). I was thinking something with VPN's.. but I have no clue how to configure that at all.

Are there any Basic Domain Setup Tutorials that walks you through setting up a domain (when Not using Windows Server, Just XP).

A little help with this would actually go a long way for me (so I can start to understand the concepts of roaming domains).

MikeD

It's a bit more simplistic to just have your PC's connect to the same workgroup. For the home network setup, that should be all you need.



Lock down your router using 128 bit WEP. The steps to do this should be included in your router's setup info. If not, it should entail logging into the router at IP 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Within the router's config menus, you can create a 26 character key (password) that you'll need to connect other PC's to your workgroup. Without the key, others won't be able to connect to your network.

Hope this helps...

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Kevster

If you're using 98/NT/2000/XP, just create a workgroup with the name you want for the workgroup. XP Professional has a nice network configuration wizard that will create a configuration diskette for you to use on other computers in the network to make sure they are configured correctly. You do not need a domain controller for a workgroup. make all of the systems that you want networked into the same IP subnet. To build on what MikeD already responded with, you can use the 192.168.1.0 subnet with your router set to 192.168.1.1 and your workstation addresses starting at 192.168.1.2, 192.168.1.3 and so on. You can just go for a simple subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

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I think over again
My small adventures, my fears.
The small ones that seemed so big,
For all the vital things I had to get and to reach.

And yet there is only one great thing, the only thing:

To live to see the great day that dawns,
And the light that fills the world.

-old Inuit song

Jeffbx

Yes & no - if you want an MS Domain set up, you must have a machine running W2K Server or 2003 Server acting as the domain controller. However, it doesn't have to be dedicated exclusively as a DC - you can use it for whatever else at the same time.

However, unless you're just trying to learn MS networking, I don't see any reason to run a domain for a home network - as the others have mentioned above, use a workgroup.



You secure your internal network with a firewall, you access your internal network from the internet with a VPN. You either need a hardware firewall behind your router to protect all of the machines, or a software firewall installed on each machine. No need for VPN unless you want to connect to your home network from a remote location.



I think you have 'domain' confused with something else. You MUST use Windows Server to set up a domain. You can use XP Pro (or home) to set up a workgroup - this is probably what you want. I've never heard of a roaming domain - not sure what that might be.

You can find a lot of tutorials on setting up different types of home networks here - http://www.practicallynetworked.com/

Good luck!