How control user access on home network?

[Mary]

I have a small home network of 4 PCs on XP Pro.

All PCs have access to each other but I want to limit this.

For example I don't want either of my kids' PCs to access my desktop
but I want my laptop to access it. However, I want to access my kids'
PCs.

I can't work out how to control which PCs can access which other PCs
on the network.

I have tried by disabling simple file sharing and then setting up
access control lists but this seems to be only which users on a single
PC can access which directories, and doesn't seem to cover other PC
access control.

Any help appreciated.

 

[Ron Sommer]

Put a firewall on each computer.
Even if the kids turn off their firewall, they won't be able to access your
computer.

 

[Guest]

Mary,

There is a webcast coming up on March 16 which may address some of your
questions and, more importantly, may help you gain a better understanding of
what's going on in your home network. Here's the URL for the info and how to
sign up: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;895128. If
you aren't available for the live webcast, they are generally available on
demand about 24 hours after the live event.

You didn't mention whether your network is wireless but if it is, you may
want to look at this on demand webcast regarding wireless security:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;831749.

John
http://www.keystonecomputerconcepts.com

 

[NobodyMan]

I have a small home network of 4 PCs on XP Pro.

All PCs have access to each other but I want to limit this.

For example I don't want either of my kids' PCs to access my desktop
but I want my laptop to access it. However, I want to access my kids'
PCs.

I can't work out how to control which PCs can access which other PCs
on the network.

I have tried by disabling simple file sharing and then setting up
access control lists but this seems to be only which users on a single
PC can access which directories, and doesn't seem to cover other PC
access control.

Any help appreciated.

You do this by making sure each computer has identical user
accounts/non-blank passwords - then you go to each machine and set
access permissions on the files/folders.

This is feasible in your case, with only four computers, but it will
quickly become a pain in the ass if you expand or frequently change
your mind as to who can access what for whatever reason today, and
change it tomorrow, then change something again the next day...each
time you have to make changes on almost all the boxes.

Having a server to control this makes life so much easier. Add to
that you can get a small server box, perfect for home use, from Dell
for around $500 to $600, and it's a very viable option.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have a small home network of 4 PCs on XP Pro.

All PCs have access to each other but I want to limit this.

For example I don't want either of my kids' PCs to access my desktop
but I want my laptop to access it. However, I want to access my kids'
PCs.

I can't work out how to control which PCs can access which other PCs
on the network.

I have tried by disabling simple file sharing and then setting up
access control lists but this seems to be only which users on a single
PC can access which directories, and doesn't seem to cover other PC
access control.

Any help appreciated.

No version of Windows lets you control network access based on which
computer wants access.

As you mention, you can disable simple file sharing and set up access
control lists, which are based on user accounts. Ron Lowe and I have
written a web page with details:

Windows XP Professional File Sharing
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
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Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
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