Windows XP Home Connected to Windows XP Pro via TCP/IP

[Armstrong Wong]

Is it possible to connect Windows XP Home-based workstations to Windows XP
Pro-based server or Windows 2003 server via TCP/IP?

Thanks.

Armstrong
Hong Kong

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Is it possible to connect Windows XP Home-based workstations to Windows XP
Pro-based server or Windows 2003 server via TCP/IP?

Thanks.

Armstrong
Hong Kong

Yes. All versions of Windows can connect to each other using TCP/IP
to share files and printers.

XP Home Edition can't join a Windows 2003 server-based domain or log
into a domain. It can connect to a domain and access domain
resources. For details, please see these sites:

Why Windows XP Professional is Best for Domain-Based Networks
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/evaluation/overviews/joindommore.asp

Windows XP Home : Accessing data on a Domain Server
http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/wxphdoms.htm

Windows XP in a Domain Environment
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/evaluation/overviews/xpindomain.asp
--
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

 

[Bob Willard]

Is it possible to connect Windows XP Home-based workstations to Windows XP
Pro-based server or Windows 2003 server via TCP/IP?

Thanks.

Armstrong
Hong Kong

You can certainly create a workgroup which includes XP Pro and XP HE PCs
(and W9x and even W3.11 PCs, just for variety).

There is no such thing as a server based on XP Pro; XP Pro is a client OS,
not a server OS. XP Pro can certainly serve files and printers, and it can
certainly serve them to XP HE PCs, but other capabilities of a server OS
are absent.

One of the key differences between XP HE and XP PRO is that XP HE cannot
join a domain, while XP PRO can. If you have W2K+3 then you probably
have a domain, and XP HE cannot join. XP HE can, however, access the
individual resources of the domain, but the recurring need to supply
credentials to access a resource is a pain in the butt and will make
you wish you had upgraded that XP HE PC to XP Pro.

And, for future reference, please choose only one NG when you can.