Managing multiple home PCs

[Guest]

Question>

I'm looking for an easy method to maintain and manage multiple home
networked computers. There are 5 of us, each with their own laptop or
desktop. There is also a 'file server' (NT 4.0SP6a) that is used for common
storage. As it is up to me to keep all these systems running and clean, it
would be really beneficial if I could do this from either my XP home desktop
or the NT system. Outside of getting on each system or spending lots of $$$
on the business type server software with their high dollar licenses, is
there some way to manage this type of environment?

Any suggestions would be more than welcome. I seem to spend an exorbrant
amount of time keeping these things running.

Thanks

Mike

 

[Danny Sanders]

I'm looking for an easy method to maintain and manage multiple home

networked computers. There are 5 of us, each with their own laptop or
desktop. There is also a 'file server' (NT 4.0SP6a) that is used for
common
storage. As it is up to me to keep all these systems running and clean,
it
would be really beneficial if I could do this from either my XP home
desktop
or the NT system.

What do you see yourself doing to these computers? If you list the exact
tasks you expect to do, it might give a better Idea of what software to
suggest.

This is the first thing that comes to mind is:
http://www.tightvnc.com/


hth
DDS W 2k MVP MCSE

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the link, Danny.

Specifically here is what I run up against.

Updates, including Microsoft and other vendors. The kids and wife are non-administrative and my desire is to keep them that way until such a time as one shows that they really know what they are doing.

Virus/Mal-ware/Spy-ware etc. checks. When the kids are on their machines, these programs do not work very well as they do not always have privs.

Issuing and maintain said privs for shared games

Installing new software and games. Having to purchase 5 copies of a game or software program is VERY expensive. Would prefer to be able to share one copy amongst all by installing it on the file server. At least as a minimum, keep data files and personal settings, etc. out there so if one person logs onto a machine, they have access to all their files.

Shared Email files. Same as above.

As the machines are located in various rooms through out the home and each
family members accounts are on each machine, finding a method that provides
them with access to their data keeps them off my case. Outlook Express does
not seem to allow me to establish mail folders off the system it is running
on. Outlook will but I only have two machines running MS office.

Now the kids all want their own wireless laptop. This will ensuredly make
things more cumbersome.

Lastly, keeping all this stuff safe and secure. Ask any Net Admin type
about this. It is hard enough with the network tools they have. What's a
home owner to do?

Mike

I'm looking for an easy method to maintain and manage multiple home
networked computers. There are 5 of us, each with their own laptop or
desktop. There is also a 'file server' (NT 4.0SP6a) that is used for
common
storage. As it is up to me to keep all these systems running and clean,
it
would be really beneficial if I could do this from either my XP home
desktop
or the NT system.

What do you see yourself doing to these computers? If you list the exact
tasks you expect to do, it might give a better Idea of what software to
suggest.

This is the first thing that comes to mind is:
http://www.tightvnc.com/


hth
DDS W 2k MVP MCSE

 

[Guest]

I neglected to mention that there is also a need to manage all our music and
multi-media files. Specifically establish the library in such a way that we
all have access to the music files and videos. We currently have roughly
5500 songs on the file server. Library files are local to each machine.
This is a royal pain.

Mike

I'm looking for an easy method to maintain and manage multiple home
networked computers. There are 5 of us, each with their own laptop or
desktop. There is also a 'file server' (NT 4.0SP6a) that is used for
common
storage. As it is up to me to keep all these systems running and clean,
it
would be really beneficial if I could do this from either my XP home
desktop
or the NT system.

What do you see yourself doing to these computers? If you list the exact
tasks you expect to do, it might give a better Idea of what software to
suggest.

This is the first thing that comes to mind is:
http://www.tightvnc.com/


hth
DDS W 2k MVP MCSE

 

[Danny Sanders]

Updates, including Microsoft and other vendors. The kids and wife are

See:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/Security/tools/sadsus1.mspx

See:
http://www.tenebril.com/products/ghostsurf/spycatcher-enterprise.html

Not totally sure but I think you would have to buy the "server" version of
the game to allow multiple users concurrent access to the game (If the
manufacturer makes one).


Not sure what you mean here.

Lastly, keeping all this stuff safe and secure. Ask any Net Admin type
about this. It is hard enough with the network tools they have. What's a
home owner to do?

See:
http://smb.sygate.com/
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2


hth
DDS W 2k MVP MCSE

Thanks for the link, Danny.

Specifically here is what I run up against.

Updates, including Microsoft and other vendors. The kids and wife are
non-administrative and my desire is to keep them that way until such a
time as one shows that they really know what they are doing.

Virus/Mal-ware/Spy-ware etc. checks. When the kids are on their
machines, these programs do not work very well as they do not always have
privs.

Issuing and maintain said privs for shared games

Installing new software and games. Having to purchase 5 copies of a game
or software program is VERY expensive. Would prefer to be able to share
one copy amongst all by installing it on the file server. At least as a
minimum, keep data files and personal settings, etc. out there so if one
person logs onto a machine, they have access to all their files.

Shared Email files. Same as above.

As the machines are located in various rooms through out the home and each
family members accounts are on each machine, finding a method that
provides
them with access to their data keeps them off my case. Outlook Express
does
not seem to allow me to establish mail folders off the system it is
running
on. Outlook will but I only have two machines running MS office.

Now the kids all want their own wireless laptop. This will ensuredly make
things more cumbersome.

Lastly, keeping all this stuff safe and secure. Ask any Net Admin type
about this. It is hard enough with the network tools they have. What's a
home owner to do?

Mike

 

[Guest]

I do believe that much of what you need is actually available within
Microsoft Server 2003 Small Business Edition.

It's available as a upgrade, however you should check if NT4 qualifies for
the upgrade.

I neglected to mention that there is also a need to manage all our music and
multi-media files. Specifically establish the library in such a way that we
all have access to the music files and videos. We currently have roughly
5500 songs on the file server. Library files are local to each machine.
This is a royal pain.

Mike

 

[Guest]

While that is most likely so, having to shell out, what I figure will be over
$2k in purchases and license fees for a product which will only meet a small
piece of my needs. Where does it say that it will take care of media files
or non-outlook (ie outlook express) email functionality. Email would lilkely
require Outlook which is not available stand-alone.

This is not a small business. It is a family. We cannot deduct these
expenses from our taxes. Nor can we afford to hire consultants or other
professionals to implement this.

It there anything far less costly out there that doesn't require a masters
in computer science to manage? Expecially for the home?

M
It is my feelings that this will become more of an issue over time.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

It is possible to use 'home' networking in complex ways. You have quite a
list of objectives you have taken on yourself, which is great, but also
burdensome. Perhaps you can simplify some of this and perhaps you can train
your family members in some of these tasks as they relate to individual
computers. What you probably cannot do is find an 'easy' way to do
everything you have listed.