Is NetBIOS file/folder sharing WORKGROUP dependent or not ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Peter Eisenman
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P

Peter Eisenman

Assume I enable file (and printer) sharing on my local computer: Are the files/folders
then shared (shareable) only inside my Workgroup (I don't belong to a domain) or is the
folder sharing workgroup independent?

If independent: Is there a(nother) way of restricting the sharing to only my workgroup?

Peter
 
Assume I enable file (and printer) sharing on my local computer: Are the files/folders
then shared (shareable) only inside my Workgroup (I don't belong to a domain) or is the
folder sharing workgroup independent?

If independent: Is there a(nother) way of restricting the sharing to only my workgroup?

Peter
Click to expand...

Peter,

Workgroup membership only controls what shares are displayed in the root of My
Network Places. Shares on any computer, in any workgroup on your LAN, can be
seen under Entire Network - Microsoft Windows Network - (domain / workgroup).
Segregating computers into multiple workgroups is a convenience item - its not a
security measure.

There are really 2 ways to protect your workgroup:
1) Put your workgroup on a separate subnet. You'll probably need a separate
router to make this happen.
2) Setup authentication / authorisation properly. Hoping that you have Windows
XP Pro, disable Simple File Sharing, and setup local accounts for everybody.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Advanced>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Advanced
 
The only time two or more computers can see each other, or 'share' stuff, is
when they are all in the same workgroup.
 
The only time two or more computers can see each other, or 'share' stuff, is
when they are all in the same workgroup.
Click to expand...

No, Jerry.

If both workgroups have properly working browsers, computers in each workgroup
WILL be able to see the other. Just look under My Network Places - Entire
Network - Microsoft Windows Network sometime, on a LAN with multiple workgroups,
if you don't believe me.

And even if they can't see each other conveniently in MNP (ie, broken browser
setup), "\\computername" from Start - Run will give a list of shares.
 
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