What have I built?

[Jarhed7276]

This is probably the dumbest question you'll ever read here but here goes.

My sister is the office manager for a small insurance company. About 4 or 5 years ago I built 5 workstations for them. They have been pleased with them so now they've asked me to build them a server (my first) because of requirements for new software they are getting. There will be the server and 5 to 7 workstations in a local group environment. The software, TAM, will be put on the server and the workstations have TAM for Workstations on them to access the main TAM application. The data files will be stored on the server. When I boot into Win2K server it opens with the Configure your Server window which I have not done yet.

My question is is this considered a file server or an application server? What is the difference in the two?

Thanks,

Gerry

[John Prophet]

Im not a pro networker but it sounds sort of like an app server to me cuz..its serving up an application...sort of a client server thing.

A file server might just be something that stores backups or holds database info I imagine.

JP

[goldenbuddha]

I'd say its an application server. A file server IMO is something that stores files for retrieval.....

[nukes]

It depends. If you are using Windows netork services (as in the ones that come with it - such as file and print sharing) then you need to make a choice. If the server is run apart from the main windows ones (AD, Access, SQL, IIS) and isn't dependent on these, then you do not need to complete this server setup, just install the TAM server on the machine and it should set up a service (if thats how it works) If it is dependent on logons from AD, then you need to set that up as well.
So you see it is quite possible that this server you want to set up may not be included in the MS wizard as it is a third party program. If you pst more details of it then we can help more, such as how the client-server thing actually communicates (netbios, IP port, monitoring file changes etc) and what else the machine needs to do.

[Jarhed7276]

Thanks John and Golden. Those were my thoughts too. My sister called this afternoon though ( she has been out sick and I didn't want to call and disturb her) and said when they bought the old one it was bought as a file server. I appreciate the time and trouble you took to respond for me. Thank you.

Nukes, after reading your reply I don't believe it will be using the main network services with the exception of printer sharing. There is one laser printer connected to it that is accessed from all workstations. I have a book that should help me with this. It looks easy enough for me to handle.

So if I understand correctly, the software that I will install on the server will allow the connections to be made and will allow them access to the files and the software on the workstations is what actually does the work. I do know that when they log on it is to the TAM software.

As far as how it connects I only know how it connects physically. It goes from a 10/100 nic in the server then to an 8 port hub and from there to the workstations. Please tell me if I have this part right. In Win2k I have created a local group called Workgroup and added each workstation to the local group as a local user with their user name and password. When they log on they will enter their user name and password and this will give them access to the network. Then when they want to use TAM they will enter their Tam password and this will give them access to their TAM files. Yes?

Thank you Nukes I really apreciate your effort to help me.

Gerry