Maximum number on Workgroup

[Guest]

We run maximum 15 computers on an office network using a workgroup with XP
Pro as well as some Win 98SE and Win 2000 Pro. One computer acts as a server
for our bookkeeping program, the latest Pastel, with a 5 user licence. We
frequently have corrupt file problems and it has been suggested that it is
because Windows XP Pro cannot handle more than 10 computers on a network.
The 5 user Pastel licence obviously allows only 5 users at any given time,
which is sufficient for our needs. It has been suggested that we should
switch to a proper server with server software. Any comments, is this valid?

 

[Alvin Brown]

Hello

Yes XP Pro allows 10 connections and Xp Home allows 5 connections
so that could be your issue. Try or consider upgrading some pc's
to win2k

al

 

[Chuck]

We run maximum 15 computers on an office network using a workgroup with XP
Pro as well as some Win 98SE and Win 2000 Pro. One computer acts as a server
for our bookkeeping program, the latest Pastel, with a 5 user licence. We
frequently have corrupt file problems and it has been suggested that it is
because Windows XP Pro cannot handle more than 10 computers on a network.
The 5 user Pastel licence obviously allows only 5 users at any given time,
which is sufficient for our needs. It has been suggested that we should
switch to a proper server with server software. Any comments, is this valid?

Windows XP limits simultaneous connections - 5 simultaneous connections for XP
Home, 10 for XP Pro.
<http://support.microsoft.com/?id=314882>

The connection limit is not directly related to the number of computers on the
network, nor to the number of computers in a workgroup. Simply to the number of
computers accessing a "server" (any computer providing shared data).

If your Pastel license limits itself by 5 users at any time, it is hard to see
how that could by itself cause problems with Windows XP Pro. Maybe the Pastel
"server" has other shares in use at the same time? Maybe other software making
it unstable?

At an rate, I do not think that a server connection limit could cause corrupt
files by itself.

What do the requirements for Pastel state? You might see indirect benefits from
running the Pastel server on a real server OS (Server 2003 for instance), but I
would doubt that just upgrading the OS from XP to Server 2003 will provide any
direct relief from your problem.

The Paste website <http://www.prostrategy.com/default.asp?V_DOC_ID=1200> states
Pastel Partner (for instance) server requirement simply as "128MB (256MB
recommended), and 256 screen colours, Pentium III or higher recommended".
Doesn't sound like any terribly demanding Server Only requirement to me.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Jack]

Hi
You should look into the basic package of Windows 2003 Small Business
Server.
It is not expensive and it is an excellent solution.
Jack (MVP-Networking).