Networking Permission Issues

[sportula]

So a friend of mine asked me to come to her company to take a look at the computers and network.

When I went to there, I saw that their "network" consists of a Linksys router, with 2 big switches. They don't have a server and all the computers run Windows Vista Home Premium.

Summary: My issue is they want to be able to share files with CERTAIN people over the network. Some people will have access to some files, while others will have access to a different set of files.

Any idea how I should go about setting this up?

I really don't want to setup 10 accounts for each person's computer. I also have around $500 of the company's money to play with, if needed.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Your best bet is to setup a small FTP server for this. Windows home editions dont support the permissions this company needs.

 

[sportula]

What about setting up a box with Windows Home Server? Would WHS allow me to do that and act as a server with file permissions?

Thanks for the help!

 

[drebo]

How many computers do they have?

If it's more than 7, they need a server with a proper Active Directory domain. No ifs, ands, or buts. To make them understand the value, ask them how much money they would lose if there was a problem. Ask them how much it would hurt if the computer they run Quickbooks on was taken down for any reason and because it wasn't centrally available and centrally backed up, it was unavailable the day before payday.

There's a right way and a wrong way to do things. In a business, there is no time and no room to do things the wrong way.

 

[sportula]

Trust me, I'm well aware they should be using Active Directory; however, they do only have 5 or 6 computers on the network. Mainly, they're looking at not spending the cash to have a server put in, installed, setup with AD, and maintained. They have the cash to "get by" at the time. Like I said, when I walked in, I was shocked to say the least.

Whatever their decision is, it's their decision. I can't force it one way or another, but I'm just looking for a way (other than setting up AD) to set file permissions for each user. Is that something Windows Home Server would be able to do?

 

[RebateMonger]

...but I'm just looking for a way (other than setting up AD) to set file permissions for each user. Is that something Windows Home Server would be able to do?

Yes, for up to ten unique users.

No matter what "server" they end up, be sure they have a way to keep ongoing backups of their files. WHS can do folder-level redundancy if it has two or more disks, but disk redundancy is no substitute for backups.

 

[JackMDS]

http://www.servethehome.com/understanding-windows-home-server-user-access-permissions/

 

[sportula]

So what about a NAS? Would they be able to set file permissions with a NAS?

 

[JackMDS]

Depends on the NAS.

If it is Windows based, it is similar to what I linked to above.

If it based on a 3rd party firmware then YMMV.

 

[VinylxScratches]

Setting up a Debian/*nix server with SMB should be simple. Why waste money on Microsoft solutions for something really simple.

 

[sportula]

Since my work with Linux has been limited, I'd be worried about setting it up with a *nix distro.

 

[VinylxScratches]

Dive in using VirtualBox and setting up Debian. Then try to get your computer to connect to it via SMB and set up permissions. I'd love to be able to do some small consulting on the side, I think I'd own at it .

 

[Nothinman]

Since my work with Linux has been limited, I'd be worried about setting it up with a *nix distro.

Even a bad Linux solution would be better than a dozen Vista Home machines with shares...

 

[sarabee]

Nothinman... I absolutely agree. The idea of vista... Oh man. If you choose that route, good luck! HA!
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Mobile Solutions

 

[sportula]

They already have windows vista home premium installed on the machines. It looks like the machines were bought from some retailer (Best Buy, Staples, etc).

 

[VinylxScratches]

That's fine, but using one Vista machine as a server is a accident from the start..

 

[sportula]

Well I could've told you that .