What do I need, where do I go?

[Jimmy2x]

I'm looking for any information about setting up a home network that is a little more flexible than what I have right now.

I know basics related to networking. At work, I belong to a Windows 2000 Server domain that runs Active Directory and has network shares setup for staff. All of my work is done using Visual Studio .NET and is stored on one of our servers. I access my files through Visual SourceSafe.

As a home user I use my computer to archive pictures of my kids, write programs using Visual Studio .NET, and surf the web. I have a wireless router with a cable modem and a desktop pc connected to it. The pc runs XP Pro. I also have a laptop running XP Home with a wireless network card to connect to the network.

I don't own any "Server" operating systems. What I do have is Win XP Home, Win XP Pro, and W2k Pro. I now have a 3rd pc which is a desktop with a 533mhz PIII and 256Mb RAM. I would like to setup a network to serve these purposes:

1. Back up my pictures and other files (system backups, etc)

2. Install Visual SourceSafe for backing up and managing my .NET projects.

3. Install a network printer.

4. Install SQL Server 2000

I don't know what operating system to use, or how to go about configuring it to do what I want. Can anybody give me some specifics about how to go about this? Even a pointer to an article or website with some detail that I can read for myself.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[mattofak]

What you essentally need to do is attach all the computers to the router, be it via ethenet cable(ussualy straight but look at the manual) or wireless. As a generic setting, have all computers get there ip settings dynamically and that should work(providing the router is DHCP enabled). These settings are available under the settings of your network adapter in the network connections folder. Unless you are all under the same workgroup name, which you arn't if you're trying to connect your work computer to your home network, all your computers will be visible in a place called Microsoft Windows Network, search around a bit in the network connections folder to find it...

Anyways, to share files, you will need to setup shares on your computers, and then edit the accessibilty and visibility settings of those files, right click on the file in question, and then goto the tab marked sharing.

As to the network printer stuff, that is ussualy shared automatically, although if your behind a firewall, such as the one in WinXP SP2 you'll most likely have to tweak it a bit for your network to work properly.

Thus, in answer to your question about what stuff you need, in terms of software its none(not counting the NIC drivers), in hardware however you'll need obviously some NIC or Wi-Fi cards, and depending on your router either straight or twisted ethernet cable...

Hope this helped, networking isnt the easist of things, especially with Wi-Fi, but if you need any more help, all of MSFN and of course google is there to help