Win XP reporting max number of users

[Guest]

I have a small network with a win xp box acting as a file server. Every so
often when one of the users tries to access the shared directory on the
server, they get a message that says "Maximum number of users reached". the
problem is there are only 5 users on our network. Any ideas?

 

[BobC]

I have a small network with a win xp box acting as a file server. Every so
often when one of the users tries to access the shared directory on the
server, they get a message that says "Maximum number of users reached". the
problem is there are only 5 users on our network. Any ideas?

The limit is not based on number of users but on connections. A single user
may have multiple concurrent connections depending on what they are doing.

 

[Malke]

I have a small network with a win xp box acting as a file server.
Every so often when one of the users tries to access the shared
directory on the server, they get a message that says "Maximum number
of users reached". the problem is there are only 5 users on our
network. Any ideas?

The concurrent inbound connections limitation is not for computers or
users but for *connections*. Each computer can make multiple
connections to another computer.

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=314882

Inbound concurrent connection limitations:

5 for XP Home
10 for XP Pro/Tablet/MCE
49 for SBS 2000
74 for SBS 2003
Unlimited for full Server O/Ses

If you only have 5 computers, I'm guessing that either 1) your
pseudo-server is running XP Home Edition; or 2) if the pseudo-server is
running XP Pro, each of your computers makes more than 2 concurrent
connections. Possible solutions:

1. If you have XP Home on the pseudo-server, upgrade it to XP Pro.

2. If the pseudo-server only acts as a file server and you don't need to
run Windows programs on it, replace XP with a Linux distro. Linux does
not have the inbound concurrent connections limit.

3. If the pseudo-server is acting also as a print server for a printer
connected to it locally, remove that printer and replace it with a
network printer. If you want to stay with Windows and are running Home,
it would still be smart to upgrade to Pro.

4. If your business is going to expand and/or your business warrants it,
consider replacing the pseudo-server with a real server operating
system such as the Small Business Server.

Malke

 

[Bob Willard]

Inbound concurrent connection limitations:

5 for XP Home
10 for XP Pro/Tablet/MCE

Are you sure about MCE? I thought that, since MCE is based on HE, it would
inherit all of HE's limitations.

 

[Malke]

Are you sure about MCE? I thought that, since MCE is based on HE, it
would inherit all of HE's limitations.

MCE is not based on Home Edition. MCE is a *super*-set of XP Pro
(however, MCE cannot join a domain).

Malke

 

[Bob Willard]

Bob Willard wrote:




MCE is not based on Home Edition. MCE is a *super*-set of XP Pro
(however, MCE cannot join a domain).

Malke

Hmmm. Nice to see that MCE raised HE's 5-connection limit, but it seems
generous to call MCE a superset of PRO, given that it does not support
domains or (apparently) any of PRO's advanced file system properties.

 

[Malke]

Hmmm. Nice to see that MCE raised HE's 5-connection limit, but it
seems generous to call MCE a superset of PRO, given that it does not
support domains or (apparently) any of PRO's advanced file system
properties.

On the contrary, MCE does support all of Pro's advanced file system
properties. It is a superset because it is Pro with the media stuff
added in. AFAIK it can only join a domain if you set it up that way
during installation, which isn't useful since MCE always comes
preinstalled on a computer. IIRC, you can buy an MCE OEM disk now, but
unless you were building your own media center, I don't see why you'd
want to. I suppose MS made it so it wouldn't join a domain because you
really wouldn't want an MCE computer for a domain workstation anyway.

So to sum up: MCE = Pro+media enhancements-joining a domain. If you have
an MCE box and you think it doesn't have the advanced file system
properties, you haven't disabled Simple Sharing in Folder Options>View.
Exactly the same as in Pro.

Malke

 

[Chuck]

On the contrary, MCE does support all of Pro's advanced file system
properties. It is a superset because it is Pro with the media stuff
added in. AFAIK it can only join a domain if you set it up that way
during installation, which isn't useful since MCE always comes
preinstalled on a computer. IIRC, you can buy an MCE OEM disk now, but
unless you were building your own media center, I don't see why you'd
want to. I suppose MS made it so it wouldn't join a domain because you
really wouldn't want an MCE computer for a domain workstation anyway.

So to sum up: MCE = Pro+media enhancements-joining a domain. If you have
an MCE box and you think it doesn't have the advanced file system
properties, you haven't disabled Simple Sharing in Folder Options>View.
Exactly the same as in Pro.

Malke

Malke,

Actually there is a very specific reason why MCE 2005 can't join a domain (MCE
pre-2005 was domain compatible). MCE Extenders, which lets you share content
all over the house, require Fast User Switching. FUS is not compatible with
domain membership.
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/887212>
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/887212

 

[Malke]

Malke

Malke,

Actually there is a very specific reason why MCE 2005 can't join a
domain (MCE
pre-2005 was domain compatible). MCE Extenders, which lets you share
content
all over the house, require Fast User Switching. FUS is not
compatible with domain membership.
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/887212>
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/887212

Thanks, Chuck. That makes perfect sense. And of course, why would you
want a media-enhanced PC to be a workstation anyway? I appreciate the
information - thanks again.

Malke
P.S. - You are my networking hero! Awesome work!

 

[Chuck]

Thanks, Chuck. That makes perfect sense. And of course, why would you
want a media-enhanced PC to be a workstation anyway? I appreciate the
information - thanks again.

Malke
P.S. - You are my networking hero! Awesome work!

Now I'm blushing, Malke. You provided a lot of encouragement to get me here.
p.s. Were you at last year's Summit? I spent a lot of time lost (maybe all
those beers didn't help either) and didn't get to meet hardly anybody.

 

[Malke]

Now I'm blushing, Malke. You provided a lot of encouragement to get
me here.
p.s. Were you at last year's Summit? I spent a lot of time lost
(maybe all those beers didn't help either) and didn't get to meet
hardly anybody.

No, unfortunately I didn't make to the Summit. If I'm still around for
the next one, I'll buy you a beer or drink of your choice.

Malke