How to restrict users on XP server?

[Darren]

Hi all,
ive got an old pc (old enough to run xp) that is set to share 1 folder among
4 xp pc's.
What I would like to do is restrict access to to these PC's but without
having to go through the hassle of entering a password for each user.
All PC's are connected with a router and have the same 'workgroup' name.
With XP as the server, can I restrict access by granting access only to
specific mac addresses?

My overall goal is to have the shared folder available 24/7 (read only).

Is there a safe alternative?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions, I am still learning. (-8

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hi all,
ive got an old pc (old enough to run xp) that is set to share 1 folder among
4 xp pc's.
What I would like to do is restrict access to to these PC's but without
having to go through the hassle of entering a password for each user.
All PC's are connected with a router and have the same 'workgroup' name.
With XP as the server, can I restrict access by granting access only to
specific mac addresses?

My overall goal is to have the shared folder available 24/7 (read only).

Is there a safe alternative?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions, I am still learning. (-8

I'm sorry, but there's no way to restrict access to specific MAC
addresses.

What computers are you concerned about restricting? Your router acts
as a firewall, preventing other Internet users from accessing your
network. No one outside your LAN can see your shared folder.

If you want an another level of protection, install a firewall program
that lets you configure it to allow access by LAN computers while
blocking access by all others. Note that XP's built-in Internet
Connection firewall doesn't have that ability, and you must not use
it.
--
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
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Darren]

Hi Steve,
thanks for the great info!
The only users I want to restrict are people outside of my lan.

If it is true that the router restricts access of those outside the box,
that is great!

I guess my job is done? (-8

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hi Steve,
thanks for the great info!
The only users I want to restrict are people outside of my lan.

If it is true that the router restricts access of those outside the box,
that is great!

I guess my job is done? (-8

You're welcome, Darren. Let's make sure that we're on the same
wavelength: by "router", I mean a home broadband router that has a WAN
port for connecting a cable/DSL modem and LAN ports for connecting
computers. That type of router acts as a firewall. It assigns
private IP addresses, which aren't accessible from the Internet, to
your computers.
--
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
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com