How do I create a "work-like" Home Network?

Question

I am sure you are all familiar with Work/School/College networks. All your information is stored in a "central database" and all the computers tied into this network all boot to a simplified "User-name/Password" log on screen. However, the log-on is tied into the network. It does not log on locally. So for example, you change your background on PC 1. Then you go across campus and log onto PC 2 and your background gets loaded onto THAT PC as well. So it's like a roaming profile I am assuming.

Could anyone recommend some programs that would make this possible? If so, what else would I need?

You don't have to go to great lengths to find free software, I am more than willing to pay for it. So if you know something that can get the job done, post it by all means!

Thanks!

Answer 1

It's a lot more expensive then software.

You need to have a server - that's a computer dedicated to storing all the information.

If you look a the I.T. department of a school/work/college there is a massive tower with wires and flashing lights, that's the server!

They are *very* expensive - in the thousands - as you have to buy the hardware, the software, and pay an I.T professional to get it up and running *and* maintain it!

And servers have to be backed up regularaly.

ALL data is stored on the server, if it breaks, everyone loses everything.



I'm sorry, but the fact that you asked this question makes it very clear that you cannot have a server set up in your home.

In fact, it's ridiculously rare to have that as a home network, I cannot think of a situation where you would.

I study I.T. and even my networking teachers don't do that.



But if you DO have lots of money to spend on this, and you want it badly, then go pay an I.T. professional to come into your house and set it up.

Answer 2

THe first guy's answer is a little over the top, and can be done on the cheap.



Basically to achieve what you need, you need to set up



1. The network. Not really that hard for a home environment. You have a hub and cables, though probably you are going to go with a wireless hub and connect everything wirelessly.



2. Your clients. Windows home is not really designed to work on such a network, and for Linux you might need to install a client, depending on the type of server you are using. Roughly speaking (as there are many releases of windows, all with different versions with different names, you want Windows Professional.



3. The server. Now your school is probably running Windows server, but you can also setup a networking using Linux. The server doens't need to be a dedicated machine, and you could use it as a workstation, but the problem of course is that if you are using it for general use it is more likely to crass. Linux to Windows using requires installing special free software to make your linux system look like a windows server on the network.



4. Configuing it is a pain in the neck. If it works, no problem, but troubleshooting a non working system is painful.



5. Maintaining it. The problem with this setup is that if the network crashes or the server is down, the whole system is down. Meaning, if your little brother wants to surf the internet at 3am and the server is down, he will nag you awake to fish it.



Basically I would recommend a Windows client, linux server solution with a dedicated server.

Answer 3

This is normally something that is outside the scope of what a home user can handle. It involves setting up a server, installing Active Directory, creating a domain, establishing user accounts, configuring roaming profiles, etc.

Answer 4

certain and really. The router acts because the DHCP server, the element that assigns addresses to each thing. To deliver information from one gadget to a special, you want to apply what domicile windows calls Sharing, Linux calls Samba, and so on.