Windows XP home and networks

[Greg12]

Is there a patch to let windows XP home to join a large network, instead of being limited to a 4 computer network.


Or do i need to update to XP pro.

[ChrisX]

Is there a patch to let windows XP home to join a large network, instead of being limited to a 4 computer network.


Or do i need to update to XP pro.

The limit is five for WinXp home and the WinXp Pro limit is ten.

Check out: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314882

[sterno]

What exactly do you mean by "join a large network"? Are you trying to use domain-style security or something?

[Greg12]

I set up a computer for my TV production teacher n it has windows xp home and I want to get it on the school network.

[vitualis]

I would assume that means that if ALL the computers were running WinXP you could only network 5?? Or if the server was running WinXP??

I've got WinXP home on my notebook and I've connected it to the hospital wide network with no issues... and it must have hundreds of computers connected...

Regards.

[bugster]

Is there a patch to let windows XP home to join a large network, instead of being limited to a 4 computer network.


Or do i need to update to XP pro.

The limit is five for WinXp home and the WinXp Pro limit is ten.

Check out: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314882

Hmmm, never come across this limitation before. I have connected many WinXP home and pro computers to the internet and networks don't get much bigger than that!

Perhaps you mean local workgroups?

Can someone who knows explain what this limitaion is, is it the max number of simultaneous connections into one PC?

[Greg12]

ohh so windows Xp home can see all the computers on the network?

It's like a workgroup yeah

[MikeV]

I am currently studying to take my MCSE test for Windows 2K and this is what I have learned. When setting up a small workgroup, each computer running Win 2K or Xp and connected together with a hub you are only allowed 5 XP or 10 XPPro computers on the network. When you use a domain you can have as many computers on the domain as you buy licenses for. The domain will have one or several computers running server software on them and one of the services is the Primary Domain Controller that keeps track of the computers on the domain and the number of licenses that are available. Once you hit the max anyone else trying to get on will receive an error saying there are no more licenses available. Most workgroups are setup in the home and usually consist of two or three computers on the hub. I have never tried going beyond the max licenses with computer on a workgroup so I don't know what will happen, it may give the same message as the server (PDC) gives.

[Gazorgan]

The reason is to keep you from using a (relatively) cheap version of W2K Pro in place of W2K Server.

For Pro, you can have 10 simultaneous connections to the machine (for shares and printing), for Home it's 5. Not sure if Home counts itself as one. Thus, for most home users your fine. In larger areas, if you aint' sharing, it don't matter.

In the Domain model, it goes on server licenses, but you still have the 5/10 limit for connections to that workstation. I've never had an 'out of license' error, even though I'm out of seat licenses in the log (seat is always better than per server).

Workarounds? LOTS! Settup an FTP server (with real L/P and non-standard port). It's a simple way to share files to lots of people with a non-server OS. You can settup a share via HTTP also, but this is less secure for multiple reason. These techniques work real well in a mixed M$/MAX/'nix enviroment.

[heretic422]

mikev wrote:

you are only allowed 5 XP or 10 XPPro computers on the network.

Somewhat correct. Any number of computers can join or be part of the (any) network. Microsoft wants to prevent users from implementing a Win2k pro or WinXP machine as a server, thereby circumventing the insane licensing program and associated costs. If I have 20 computers, they can all see each other in a p2p environment through browsing the network. Only 10 computers can connect, (ie attach and share files) to another Win2k pro or WinXP machine <simultaneously>. 10 different computers can connect to any other machine on the same segment of the network simultaneously as well. Additionally, one computer can connect to 10 different computers on the network provided there are less than 10 OTHER computers connected to that computer. That is the essence of p2p in Microsoft's world. Starting to make sense?

And good luck on your MCSE tests. They suck.