Richard Hein wrote:
> A small office is using a new Win XP Pro machine as a file server for
> 5 computers. Somehow, every week or so, people are losing connections
> with the server. One or more of the workstations are not releasing
> one of the 10 available licenses. I have set up a batch file to
> reboot the computer and reease the licenses. Is there a better way to
> do it than rebooting the server? Are there any other considerations
> when setting up the computer as a server?
As Tom Willett told you, you are bumping up against the concurrent
inbound connections limitation. You need to understand that these are
not "10 available licenses" and also that the limitation is on
*connections* and not *computers*. Each computer usually makes more than
one connection to a server or, in your case, a pseudo-server.
Inbound connections limit in XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=314882
5 - XP Home/Vista Home Basic
10 - Vista Home Premium/Vista Ultimate/XP Pro
49 - SBS 2000
74 - SBS 2003
Unlimited for full Server O/Ses
Solutions:
1. If you are only using the pseudo-server as a file server and have no
need to run Windows programs on it, replace XP Pro with a Linux distro
which has no such limitations. The disadvantage is that someone in your
office needs to know Linux to set it up or you will need to hire outside
tech support. Apple also makes a great server with no inbound connection
limitations but you would need to buy a new Apple computer.
2. If you want to stay with Microsoft products, replace XP Pro on the
pseudo-server with Microsoft Small Business Server. If you don't have
someone in-house who has the skill to set up SBS, then hire outside tech
support for the project. It will be well worth it to make sure that your
business is set up correctly and has a backup/disaster recovery strategy
in place.
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User