Maximum users on a "non-shared" XP network?

[ComPCs]

I am (hopefully) going to be setting up a network of 20 (maybe 22)
laptops via a wi-fi router.

I hope to be using a Draytek Vigor 2600G wireless router for the network
'switch'.

None of the laptops will be required to share any files, folders,
printers etc with any of the others, *but*, there is a requirement for
an instant messaging (IM) program to run over the LAN, namely to
communicate with a 'master' laptop; so each of the other 21 laptops
needs to be able to access this one laptop, but as mentioned, not share
it's files, folders etc.

The idea being that any of the 21 laptops can IM the 22nd laptop, and
that the 22nd laptop can IM any of the other 21. (still with me??)

I know there is a restriction on XP Home to 5 simultaneous users, and
Pro to 10, but this is for shared resources I believe?

Am I going to get away with networking 20 laptops this way, or am I
going to hit some issues?

I'm not new to networking, but have not had the 'pleasure' of putting
this many clients onto a network before now, so any advice is extremely
welcome!

TIA

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Instant Messaging and other such programs do not fall afoul of the
workstation limits.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[ComPCs]

Instant Messaging and other such programs do not fall afoul of the
workstation limits.

Thanks Richard, I take it therefore that i'll be able to network all 22
laptops using XP Home using a wi-fi router/switch, and not have any real
issues so long as I don't start sharing out more shares than XP Home
will accommodate?

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Should be no problem - subject to Mr. Murphy's input.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Bob Willard]

Thanks Richard, I take it therefore that i'll be able to network all 22
laptops using XP Home using a wi-fi router/switch, and not have any real
issues so long as I don't start sharing out more shares than XP Home
will accommodate?

There is no limit on the number of folders that are shared. The 5 (10)
limit for XP HE (PRO) is on the number of concurrent mappings to those
shares (and to printers).

Also, remember that the wireless bandwidth is shared by all those laptops.
If the IM apps generate infrequent traffic, then you should be OK; but
if the
apps send a lot of data (or if they foolishly send IM packets when they
have no data to transmit), then you may run out of usable bandwidth long
before you think you have used the 54 (or 11) Mb/s of advertised bandwidth.