network problems

[MechCD]

I seem to have a rather annoying problem.... my crunchers in the basement need to log-in to get files from my Win2k box. I could set them all up to use the same login, but we have a rpoblem there. I only have 1 monitor for 5 computers. No fun to switch cables around when the power goes out. Is there a way to automatically have them log-in? They use Win98. If Win2k has any advantage over Win98 for this or G@H, let me know :D

Also, when I browse the network, bringing up the "Entire network" takes around 10 seconds. It takes about the same amount of time to bring up the shares for any computer on the network. This odd occurance only happens on ym laptop (WinME) and my main puter (Win2k). It also happens in reverse. Ona ny Win98 puter, it takes forever to bring up the shares for my Win2k box. Win98 to Win98 is very fast. the shares appear almost instantly.

FInally, the downstairs LAN is dog slow with 5-6 computers over 10mb/s

Router - > 100mb/s switch -> 10mb/s hub

I was thinking of doing a wee bit of an upgrade there.

Router -> 100mb/s switch -> 100mb/s switch

The connection between the two hub/switches is currently a single CAT5 cable on the uplink port of the proper gadget. Only some of the downstairs computers have 100mb/s cards, but depending onw hat I get I may hve to do this:

Router -> 100mb/s switch -> 100mb/s switch -> 10mb/s hub

Which will make the poor 10mb/s very slow. But the computers with 10mb/s don't have any network shares on them that get any kind of use, so it should be ok. I'm mainly concered about the 1.1ghz AMD system down there with 20gb of nice slow network space :D

[X-Calibur]

I have not used WIn98 in ages, but in Win2k you can set a particular user to log on automatically at reboot.
That should take care of your problem.

X'

[MechCD]

one reason to do a mad Win2k rollover :D

[pelligrini]

I've never seen any shares between 98 and 2k pop up quickly. the best way would be to map the drive. I've never noticed any slowdowns that way.

In '98 under the networking dialog window change the Primary Network Logon to "Windows Logon" or "Windows Family Logon" whichever you may have. There won't be a logon screen at reboot. if I remember correctly, and if you have a password set up, you may have to change it to nothing.

Also, I use a program called Remote Administrator to controll all of my headless machines. On my NT server boxes and my W2k Adv server boxes I have to login, sometimes hit a CTRL-ALT-DEL to be able to login. The remote program will let me do this as well. It can be installed as a service, so it'll be one of the first things running.

A cheaper way to get high speed access to your 20GIG drive is to pick up another used small drive and swap it out with the large one, then put the large one in your machine if there's room.

[MechCD]

There is no room in my box. I could put it in my dad's puter, but he might get confused :D

I have tried not having logins, but then I can access files from the Win2k box.

Maybe what I'm trying to do is impress visitors that the computers down there do soemthing other than G@H... you tell em it does G@H and get blank looks and say "No file server?" "No web server?"

[pelligrini]

You could always put a 100mb NIC in it and run another cable straight into the 10/100 Switch.

[MechCD]

Running another 50ft of CAT5 would increase the cost to the point where I wouldn't want to pay for it :D

As for the wierd lag, I might switch most of my boxes to Win2k for the remote admin option. Right now I use VNC, but I feel like it isn't secure. The VNC port is blocked at my router, but using a few different methods of "control" would be good aswell.

Is the G@H perfromance better with Win2k?

[pelligrini]

Cat5 is pretty cheap, although I do buy some pretty large spools. That RJ-45 crimper tool was one of the best buys I have made. It has saved me a fortune in pre-made patch cable costs.

The "Remote Administrator" program I have is a third party program, much like VNC from what I understand. The machine I use to controll everything is a win98 box, and it controlls many other OS's; Win98, NT4, NT4 Server, Win2K Pro, W2K Server, W2K Advance Server.

Don't know of any difference in G@H between 98 and 2K.

[X-Calibur]

I echo the above. Buy a fat roll of Cat 5 cable and some connectors. Buy the crimp tool and make your own, it's dead easy, cheap and the length is always perfect!