How to Build a Home Server
The fact is that you don't have to buy Windows Home Server just to set up a computer as a "server." Windows Vista Home will function fine as a server, if configured with the proper settings.
A computer system designated as a "server" typically has one or more of the following characteristics:
1) Acts as a shared central data repository (aka file server) for multiple persons to access;
2) Acts as a shared central web server;
3) Acts as a shared central print server; and
4) Provides constant uptime for its available resources (always remains "powered on").
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Things You'll Need
- A Windows Vista computer that you want to function as a server An existing Workgroup name (alternatively, see the reference URL at the end of this article regarding joining or creating Workgroups) A printer attached to the Vista computer
Instructions
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Join a Workgroup
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Log in as an administrator on the computer that you want to function as a server.
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Join your computer to your existing Workgroup or create a new Workgroup. In this example, let's assume we will join your existing Workgroup called "MSHOME" (since Windows often already is set up in Networking mode and, when set up in that manner, Windows automatically creates a basic Workgroup--typically called HOME or MSHOME).
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To join an Workgroup: Click "Start," click "Control Panel," click "System and Maintenance" and then click "System." This will place you in the Computer Name, Domain and Workgroup Settings panel.
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Click "Change Settings." If credentials are requested, provide your credentials and confirm that you wish to proceed.
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Click the "Computer Name" tab, and then click "Change."
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In the "Member of" window, click "Workgroup," then type the name of the Workgroup that you want to join ("MSHOME"), and then click "OK." At this point, you will see a message, "Welcome to the MSHOME Workgroup." When prompted, reboot your system and log back in as an administrator.
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7
Click "Start"; click "Control Panel"; and then, under "Network and Internet," click "Set Up File Sharing."
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Click "Customize"; under "Location Type," choose "Private"; click "Next"; then click "Close."
Discovery and Sharing
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To enable Network Discovery: Click "Start"; click "Control Panel"; then, under "Network and Internet," click "Set Up File Sharing."
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Under the Sharing and Discovery panel, if Network Discovery is "Off," click the drop-down arrow to the right of Network Discovery, select "Turn Network Discovery On," and then click "Apply."
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To enable file and printer sharing: Click "Start"; click "Control panel"; then, under "Network and Internet," click "Set Up File Sharing."
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Under the Sharing and Discovery panel, do the following: Turn on File sharing, Public folder sharing and Printer sharing by clicking the drop-down beside each item, choosing the "Turn On" option for each item, and clicking "Apply" for each item. Note: Public folder sharing is the only item where you will need to choose whether you want all your local network users to have "read-only" (the first option) or "update" (the second option) access to the Public folder.
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You have now configured your Vista computer to have the basic functions of a server. The next steps involve sharing your server's resources. Note: When you turned on "Printer Sharing," that automatically shared the printer that is connected to your server.
Share Resources
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Set up a shared network drive, such as your "C" drive. To create a network drive, follow the steps at the end of this article in the reference titled "Create a Network Drive."
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Set up a shared network printer. This was accomplished in Step 4 of the "Sharing and Discovery" section above.
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You may also share additional resources, such as web pages, by setting up your server as a web server with Internet Information Services (IIS). If you want your server to be a web server, follow the steps at the end of this article in the reference titled "Setting up a Website Server."
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Tips & Warnings
To see any XP computers on your network from Vista servers or workstations, download the Microsoft LLTD patch (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120) onto the XP computers.
Warning: If you do not disable "system hibernation" and other power-saving functions on the computer you want to function as a server, the server may become unavailable if the computer should become idle for a certain period.
