WinXP Pro 10 user limit question

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I've got a 10 user limit problem...

I have 15 computers, all running Pro, and peer-to-peer networked as a single
workgroup into a single linksys router that hooks into a fractional T1.

All of the machines need Internet access, but in addition 1 of them runs an
application that 10 other machines access constantly and that the remaining
4 will never access at all.

The users turn their PC's on in the morning as they arrive. If the 5 that
DON'T need to access that specific application turn theirs machines on first
though, PRO on the application machine counts them as connections toward the
10 user limit, regardless of the fact that they will never connect to that
particular machine and are only using the network for internet access.

Running another OS is not an option unfortunately. Anyone got some
suggestions around my dilemma?
 
Hello

No really because xp limit is 10, maybe try using a 3rd prty software
app. as a workaround
 
Hi

Yes, 10, I know. But since 4 of the machines (not counting the box that has
the application on it, since my understanding is that it doesn't count
"itself" as a connection, I hope) ONLY need the network for Internet use, I
was hoping someone had a suggestion on how I could keep them off the
workgroup so they don't count against the limit, but still allow those 4
internet access. I'm open to any suggestions short of a new OS.

btw, what "3rd prty software app" are you thinking of?
 
Okay, I thought of something but I don't know if it's do-able and would like
to hear some input...

I buy an extra router and one more hub. I keep the 4 machines that only
need internet access on the new router under 192.168.0.1. I run the
remaining 11 machines on the old router under 10.x.x.1. I tell the new
router to block any communication with 10.x.x.x, and the old router to
ignore any communication from 192.168.0.x. I run both of the routers into
the new hub which feeds into my broadband connection.

Would this keep the Pro box (that's monitoring for 10 connections) from
seeing those 4 other computers (that won't ever have a need to talk to that
machine anyway)? Will either group be preventing from using the broadband
connection? Does the equipment even work in this manner?

? Pipe dream? Not do-able? logic flaws?



Would that keep the Xp Pro on the box in the 11 group from seeing
 
Ok... another idea too in case the my first one is not feasible. If I
disable Netbios on the 4 machines that only need internet access, but not
connectivity to the other 11 machines, would THAT prevent the XP Pro box in
the group of 11 from seeing them as a connection counting towards the 10
user limit? Anyone know?
 
I think the solution may be to put the machines into another subnet. For example, if all your machines are on subnet 192.168.0.*, try changeing the address of the four machines to 192.168.1.*. Make sure your netmask is 255.255.255.0 or they will still be on the same subnet.
 
I've got a 10 user limit problem...

I have 15 computers, all running Pro, and peer-to-peer networked as a single
workgroup into a single linksys router that hooks into a fractional T1.

All of the machines need Internet access, but in addition 1 of them runs an
application that 10 other machines access constantly and that the remaining
4 will never access at all.

The users turn their PC's on in the morning as they arrive. If the 5 that
DON'T need to access that specific application turn theirs machines on first
though, PRO on the application machine counts them as connections toward the
10 user limit, regardless of the fact that they will never connect to that
particular machine and are only using the network for internet access.

Running another OS is not an option unfortunately. Anyone got some
suggestions around my dilemma?
Click to expand...

This sounds kinda odd to me. AFAIK, XP Pro (or any other NT based OS) doesn't
gratuitously create a connection for another machine to use simply because that
other machine boots up in the same workgroup. Is it possible that the other 4
machines contain a persistent connection to your "server", or explicitly do a
mapping to it that you aren't thinking about?

A good solution for this would be to put your specific application on a server,
which is NOT used by anybody. Desktop use, and server use, are two different
animals. Internet use always carries risk. What happens if the person with the
"server" starts downloading a large file (webpage) while the specific
application is in critical use by others? God forbid your "server" should crash
sometime because of that.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
 
I think Chuck hit the nail on the head. Those PCs shouldn't be connecting
to that 'server' by default.
 
Am I understanding http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;314882
incorrectly then? I read it as saying it counts all transports and resource
sharing protocols as a connection, regardless of the fact that they do not
have an active inbound connection to the Pro box. 11 people on the network,
not a problem. 12 people on the network, problem.

I'm not trying to circumvent the 10 user limit. The application on the PRO
box is only accessed by 10 users so the 10 limit is fine. What's putting
the kibosh on me though is that god forbid someone else, who will never
access that application, logs onto the network before all 10 users do just
to grab some email or read a web page...wham, 11 connections, and now the
guy that needs to access the application is locked out of the PRO machine.

I'm still looking for way to separate my 15 computers into two distinct and
separate groups of 11 and 4 respectively yet have them all be able to access
the sole broadband connection.
 
The 4 machines don't explicitly connect to the application server through
drive mapping or other means. They're only used for email and browsing.
Frankly, they really don't require the resources of the network for anything
other than Internet access. But I think that the MS article relating to the
10 user limit states that resource sharing or transport protocols count
irregardless of the fact that they have no explicit inbound connection to
the application server. Pro seems to see them on the network by name,
counts the names, finds 10 computers, and says the club is closed from that
point on.

Is there a way I can have those 4 trouble making PC's connect to the
internet without appearing on the network?
 
Am I understanding http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;314882
incorrectly then? I read it as saying it counts all transports and resource
sharing protocols as a connection, regardless of the fact that they do not
have an active inbound connection to the Pro box. 11 people on the network,
not a problem. 12 people on the network, problem.
Click to expand...

Read it really carefully. I think it's saying that the limit is 10 connections,
including those under "all transports and resource sharing protocols combined".
A protocol is not a connection. Access provided to a resource, to another
computer, using "all transports and resource sharing protocols combined", is a
connection.
I'm not trying to circumvent the 10 user limit. The application on the PRO
box is only accessed by 10 users so the 10 limit is fine. What's putting
the kibosh on me though is that god forbid someone else, who will never
access that application, logs onto the network before all 10 users do just
to grab some email or read a web page...wham, 11 connections, and now the
guy that needs to access the application is locked out of the PRO machine.

I'm still looking for way to separate my 15 computers into two distinct and
separate groups of 11 and 4 respectively yet have them all be able to access
the sole broadband connection.
Click to expand...

You could certainly install a second router under the first, then move the 11
computers under the new router. No named resource sharing will go thru the
second router, so all the 4 problematic computers will only have web access.

Before you do that, try this simple test. Come in the morning, boot up your
"server", then the 4 problematic computers. Go to each of the 4 computers, run
"net use", and see what connections they're really creating. Then do that for
the other 10.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
 
It means that if machine A *is* connected to B via TCP/IP and NetBEUI then
that counts as two connections. Just because it could connect on two
protocols doesn't mean it is connected.
 
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