Virtual Server?

[mvd7793]

I am looking for something to create a virtual server (if that's what it's called) on my home network (not a buisness network). I only have XP and Vista computers (no home server or anything). What I want to do is to create a file area. Ex: Someone opens Windows Explorer, and in the address bar, they type mvdfiles or something like that. Then, it shows them a folder on a specified computer. I want this over my whole network, I would like it done for free. If you give me a satisfactory answer, you will earn 25 credits. I will install software on a computer to get it to work, but I do not want to have to get a new OS. If this is as simple as going into my Dlink DIR-655 router, please let me know.

[hatbocs]

Are you talking about file sharing?
http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/w...t/winxpsfs.htm

Or did you want to set up something like a website that is only accessible on your network?

[mvd7793]

Something like a website except with files, not an actual website.

[hatbocs]

Well what I would do then (since you're running all windows machines) is set up a home network.

There are many tutorials for doing this (such as the one I gave). This way you can connect to the computer with your files by typing \\<computer name> in Windows Explorer and be shown all of the shared resources on the computer.

Here's a quick tutorial for sharing files on XP (I don't know about Vista):
First (if you've already set up a home network then skip):
1. Go to Control Panel > Network Connections
2. Go to File > Network Setup Wizard
3. Follow the step in setting up your network
4. Add the other computers to the network

To share folders:
1. Go to My Computer
2. Browse to the folder you wish to make available across your network (This could be a whole hard drive or a single folder)
3. Right-click on that folder, go to "Sharing and Security..." (alternatively found under "Properties > Sharing")
4. If there's a little warning text, click on it to access the sharing options
5. In the second box ("Network sharing and security") check the "Share this folder on the network" box and a name will come up in the text box. Change the name if you want
6. If you want to be able to write to the folder check the "Allow users to change my files" box
7. Click Ok and windows will change the permissions of the files in the folder

To access your computer on the network:
1. On another computer, open Windows Explorer
2. In the address bar type "\\<computername" and hit enter/go
3. You should now see the folder, you set to be shared. You can open it and display all the contents in it

If you want to map a network drive I'll put up how to.

[mvd7793]

Except I want to be able to create a "virtual Pc" so that if you type \\pipeline or whatever, it will redirect you to a folder on a PC. Is that possible?

[hatbocs]

I don't think I quite follow.

The term "virtual" means you're not setting up any physical network or computer.

Could you provide an example of how you would use your network? I understand you want to make a folder available across the whole network by typing in \\somecomputer, but I don't understand if you want a "real" network or a "virtual" one.

The term "virtual pc" means you run another "computer" inside your own and doesn't correspond to your physical network.

[mvd7793]

Ok. I used the wrong term. I would like to type \\pipeline or something else on my current home network, and want that to be fowarded to a specified folder on a computer on the network. I was calling it virtual because I was thinking like virtual fowarding, or just plain fowarding, or I don't know what it's called!

[hatbocs]

Try what I suggested in that long post as I'm pretty sure that's going to do what you want.

[warlordste]

why not use a simple filesharing u have xp professional its not that hard type the name of ur comp and the folder you want and its as simple as that no fuss no mess and not much can go wrong lol

[mvd7793]

I know I know! That's already set up. I didn't know if there was an easy way to do that.