Newbie's Qns. re: Peer-Peer

[JP]

First, thanks for reading this posting from a complete newbie who has been
landed with this problem.

Both questions refer to a SOHO peer to peer network setup of 9 PCs using a
mixture of W98, 2K & XP.

1) Can I set the network up so as to use an internet connection via 1 PC
(with a DSL connection) and SIMULTANEOUSLY have simple file sharing -
preferably via that same PC which would be seen as some sort of server
(although not, (it seems, from what I've read) in the true sense?

2) Amongst the 9 PCs, can I set it up so that they all have access to the
same internet access (ICS ?) but the file sharing is separated e.g.
machines 1- 3 all have access to each other on an ACCOUNTS workgroup,
machines 4-6 have access to each other on a SALES workgroup and 7-9 have
access to both workgroups. Do we need to install different NICs for each?

Please tell me if it's possible or if you think my bosses are such a
bunch of cheapskates that we should go for a real network application.

Many thanks

John

 

[PeeJay]

Many thanks for your help.

Re: the routing of the DSL "modem" through one machine as opposed to making
it just another node on the N/W, I've been advised that, from a security
point of view, it's better to route all e-mail and www traffic via a main
PC with firewalls and what-have-you.

Maybe I've not explained myself correctly:-

We have a network switch ( SMC Tiger).
One machine is being used as a "server" but as far as I can see it's more
like a "console"
It has 2 NICs, one to the DSL and one to the "workgroup".
All the other PCs connect via this "workgroup" and use ICS via this machine.

The other thing that confuses me is the MS limit to setting up more than 1
MS Client for Networks. Can I set up several workgroups - especially in
Win98?

TIA
John