XP Pro Laptop - wireless @home, SBS2003 @ work

[Boze]

I have a laptop with XP Pro that, at home, connects to a wireless network
for internet access. At work we have a server running SBS2003. I'd like to
use my laptop at work and go through the network for internet access. I do
NOT need to access any files on the server or network.. just get internet
access.

I know very little about networking. Can someone recommend a site where I
can start learning how to do this?
I don't know how the laptop is configured for the wireless connection at
home.. it just worked when the wireless router was plugged into the cable
modem.
I also am not sure about the configuration of connection sharing through the
server so I need to learn what to check before I can even ask for help here.

Thanks in advance
Boze

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I have a laptop with XP Pro that, at home, connects to a wireless
network for internet access. At work we have a server running
SBS2003. I'd like to use my laptop at work and go through the
network for internet access. I do NOT need to access any files on
the server or network.. just get internet access.

I know very little about networking. Can someone recommend a site
where I can start learning how to do this?
I don't know how the laptop is configured for the wireless connection
at home.. it just worked when the wireless router was plugged into
the cable modem.

Do you have any encyption set up? I'd be concerned that you aren't

I also am not sure about the configuration of connection sharing
through the server so I need to learn what to check before I can even
ask for help here.
Thanks in advance
Boze

Hi - first thing to ask is, have you talked to the people who manage your
office network? Seems to me that would be the best place to start. At the
offices I support, the only way a home laptop is allowed on the network is
if it's been checked out thoroughly and has had the corporate antivirus
software installed, with a full scan run. Remember, if you connect to the
office network, your computer is in contact with the server there, whether
you want to use it or not. Unless they've got a 'guest' network segment
configured for isolated internet access only. And if your office runs
SBS2003 with ISA you will need to involve the IT folks there as you can't
get to the internet without going through the proxy server.

 

[Boze]

Hi - first thing to ask is, have you talked to the people who manage your

office network? Seems to me that would be the best place to start. At the
offices I support, the only way a home laptop is allowed on the network is
if it's been checked out thoroughly and has had the corporate antivirus
software installed, with a full scan run. Remember, if you connect to the
office network, your computer is in contact with the server there, whether
you want to use it or not. Unless they've got a 'guest' network segment
configured for isolated internet access only. And if your office runs
SBS2003 with ISA you will need to involve the IT folks there as you can't
get to the internet without going through the proxy server.

Thanks for the reply. We don't have a person who actively manages the
server and network. We originally had a P2P network and a consultant came
and setup the SBS2003 and client workstations. Unfortunately that
consultant has taken a job elsewhere and is no longer available... even for
a consult by phone. (I think it's crazy we don't have someone that at least
comes by for maintenance, program upgrades, etc. If our server were to
crash we'd be up a creek.. without a geek!.. but my boss doesn't agree so
we're flying solo)

If it helps, what I'm wanting to do is what a salesman did when he was
meeting with my boss. He had his laptop, which had never been configured
for our network, plugged it into a network jack and was able to access the
internet. That's what I'm shooting for.

Thanks again for your reply

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Thanks for the reply. We don't have a person who actively manages the
server and network. We originally had a P2P network and a consultant
came and setup the SBS2003 and client workstations. Unfortunately
that consultant has taken a job elsewhere and is no longer
available... even for a consult by phone. (I think it's crazy we
don't have someone that at least comes by for maintenance, program
upgrades, etc. If our server were to crash we'd be up a creek..
without a geek!.. but my boss doesn't agree so we're flying solo)

That stinks. You should have someone you can call. Your boss is being
penny-wise and pound-foolish. .SBS is not a toaster-oven you can just plug
in. (you can quote me on that ;-) ) It needs regular maintenance by someone
who knows what they're doing.

If it helps, what I'm wanting to do is what a salesman did when he was
meeting with my boss. He had his laptop, which had never been
configured for our network, plugged it into a network jack and was
able to access the internet. That's what I'm shooting for.

You can probably do that now.

 

[Boze]

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

Thanks for the reply. We don't have a person who actively manages the
server and network. We originally had a P2P network and a consultant
came and setup the SBS2003 and client workstations. Unfortunately
that consultant has taken a job elsewhere and is no longer
available... even for a consult by phone. (I think it's crazy we
don't have someone that at least comes by for maintenance, program
upgrades, etc. If our server were to crash we'd be up a creek..
without a geek!.. but my boss doesn't agree so we're flying solo)

That stinks. You should have someone you can call. Your boss is being
penny-wise and pound-foolish. .SBS is not a toaster-oven you can just plug
in. (you can quote me on that ;-) ) It needs regular maintenance by someone
who knows what they're doing.

If it helps, what I'm wanting to do is what a salesman did when he was
meeting with my boss. He had his laptop, which had never been
configured for our network, plugged it into a network jack and was
able to access the internet. That's what I'm shooting for.

You can probably do that now.

My gosh! You're right. I just checked and could get internet access! I
thought I tried once before and it didn't work. Thank you! I wish I
understood it better. If you know of any site or book that's good for a
beginner I'd be interested. My learning stopped back in the P2P days.

As for needing a consultant available and doing maintenance, I'm tempted to
make up a minor problem that would require someone with expertise. Maybe
'need' a file that's on backup and not be able to retrieve it.

Thanks again for your help
Boze