Windows XP limits connections?

[presto]

I have 11 computers networked. I had my main files on a windows 98 machine and the others had that C drive mapped.

I then moved my main files to my Windows XP Home machine and began having problems. I would sometimes get a message saying that "...computer has reached the limit of connections it can accept".

A little researched showed that Windows XP Home has a limit of 5 and Windows XP Pro has a limit of 10.

What is the solution?

[LloydAZ]

Set up a file server using either Windows 2000 Server or 2003 Server. If you're a little adventurous, try a Linux file server.

A decent NAS (Network Attached Storage) device might also do the trick.

[presto]

The computers are networked fine. I think the problem is just when I map the C drive of my Windows XP Home computer to all the others. Windows xp home sets an artifical limit. I have read about a patch but wanted some input on this idea.

Or I might just upgrade to Windows XP Pro and get 10 connections.

[vitualis]

MS doesn't want you to use WinXP Home or Pro as a server.

If you just want to make a fileserver then the simplest thing to do would be to get a NAS or if using existing hardware, install a version of Linux.

Regards.

[sidewinder]

you can use a small program to open up the number of connections heres the link
http://www.lvllord.de/

[vitualis]

I don't think that is the same issue...

Regards.

[thevoelk]

The limit is 10, it's hard-coded into the Windows 2K/XP Pro kernel. The limit is also one of the reasons that MS recommends using a workgroup for less than 10 computers on a network. Other than a Linux fileserver or a server version of Win2K/2K3, there's nothing you can do. I haven't come across a hack at work that even addresses the issue let alone resolve it.

And vitualis is right, the above page is not the same issue. Te page above refers to connections for downloads, not file-server access.

[aedipuss]

close... the limit is 5 connections for home and 10 for pro.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/chats/transcripts/03Aug19.mspx

[lumis]

close... the limit is 5 connections for home and 10 for pro.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/chats/transcripts/03Aug19.mspx

A little researched showed that Windows XP Home has a limit of 5 and Windows XP Pro has a limit of 10.

thank you for your input aedipuss

[thevoelk]

I'll admint, never touched XP Home, only Pro, simple reason being I get my OSes free from work, which can only have domain-capable machines on the network. In point of fact, I did mention XP Pro.

[aedipuss]

you're right thevoelk. the biggest limitation of XP home is that it's peer to peer networking only with limited file security options.

thanks lumis for repeating my mistake a second and third time...

i shouldn't type after happy hour for sure.

[presto]

Thanks All,

I found that hack and wasn't sure if it was the same issue or not. It looks like it is not from your replies.

I think I will do fine if I just upgrade to XP Pro. I just wanted to hash out the options.

Virtualis, you're going over my head, I guess. Why shouldn't I use Win XP Pro for what I am doing? I've had these 10 computers working nicely togethor under windows 98. My only problem is this artificial limit of 5 that Win XP Home has imposed.

[vitualis]

Simply because you will still hit the same problems. With 10 clients on the network, you've already hit the limit. A glitch in the network may well mean the one of your clients will not be able to access the shared folder. Adding another PC onto the network will mean that it (or one of your other PCs) will not be able to access the shared folder.

If you want a computer as a dedicated fileserver then I would recommend using a NAS (network attached storage) device. Consumer level devices are not that expensive and depending on the device, can offer better data security by adding redundancy through RAID. You'll be saving on power as well.

Installing Linux on a PC and using that as a fileserver by making network shares (like on Windows) also solves the problem as it does not have the arbitrary limits. You could always go back to Win98 (though make sure you have a good firewall if your network is connected to the net).

In the end, it is up to you. Yes, XP Pro will support 10 simultaneous clients, but it won't support any more than that. You may simply be delaying this particular networking issue to a later date.

Regards.

[presto]

Ok, Thanks. That all makes sense. I'll have to learn more about NAS's or maybe overcome my fear of Linux.

[Doramius]

What's to fear with Linux? I find the biggest problem people have is the fact that there's not a lot of people using it, or they don't know many people who use it. I don't know many people that use it, but for file servers I hear they work great without any problems. And it would clear up your issue.

[thevoelk]

I think the fear of Linux is the command line. A lot of the Unix guys I work with refuse to touch Linux because it has a GUI, whether they use it or not.

[lenti_75]

I work with Linux and it's not something that anyone can do it next day. you need practice.

but YES, Linux is THE server, windows server is just a bogus.

[Doramius]

The newer Linux software looks pretty easy to use, and pretty familiar to what other OS look like. There is definitely difference, and practice will be needed, but if you're running it as a server, you probably will use the machine <1/10th of the time you'd use the computers mapped to it.

And I feel having a GUI makes things easier for the people who aren't as advanced in computer knowledge.