Moving Between Home and Office Networking

  • Thread starter Thread starter TheScullster
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TheScullster

Hi all

Just managed to setup a home network of 2 PCs (after finding that it won't
work with Zone Alarm).
However, to join the network and become part of the home workgroup, I had to
specifically "disconnect" or similar from the office domain.

Is there a way to simply be presented with a choice of networks to join at
logon time?

Hope this makes sense.

TIA


Phil
 
TheScullster said:
Hi all

Just managed to setup a home network of 2 PCs (after finding that it
won't work with Zone Alarm).
However, to join the network and become part of the home workgroup, I
had to specifically "disconnect" or similar from the office domain.

Is there a way to simply be presented with a choice of networks to
join at logon time?
Click to expand...

You should not have disjoined your computer from the office domain. Now
you will need to have your IT Dept. at work rejoin your computer to the
domain. In the future, here is how to use your domain-enabled machine
at home (credit to MVP Lanwench):

Once you've logged in using your domain account (using cached
credentials), and have an IP address on the home network, you can map
drives, use printers, whatnot, very easily - one way, in a command
line:

net use x: \\computername\sharename /user:computername\username <enter>

MS KB article about the Net Use command - http://tinyurl.com/3bpnj

Regarding ZoneAlarm - all you needed to do was allow the Local Area
Network as trusted in ZA's configuration settings. I usually use a
range of IP addresses such as 192.168.1.0-129.168.1.254. Do not connect
Windows machines to the Internet without a firewall in place.

Malke
 
Malke said:
Once you've logged in using your domain account (using cached
credentials), and have an IP address on the home network, you can map
drives, use printers, whatnot, very easily - one way, in a command
line:

net use x: \\computername\sharename /user:computername\username <enter>

MS KB article about the Net Use command - http://tinyurl.com/3bpnj

Regarding ZoneAlarm - snip
Click to expand...


Thanks Malke

I follow the Zone Alarm stuff and will try out over weekend.
Not clear on the net use though!
The home network is a Workgroup, the office is DHCP Domain.
Are you saying that I should not join the home Workgroup and that net use
will show the available resources without this authentication.
If so, is it possible to launch a batch file at logon to set these
paths/mappings?

Phil
 
As well as the net use command, you can enter \\netname as a run command to
view shared resources on the other computer (or Start \\netname in a command
prompt).
For a batch file with sample net use commands See the Tech Tips and
Downloads page at
http:// [Remove this and spaces] www. gtscomputerservice. com
This can be placed in the Start group to function at logon.
--
 
TheScullster said:
Thanks Malke

I follow the Zone Alarm stuff and will try out over weekend.
Not clear on the net use though!
The home network is a Workgroup, the office is DHCP Domain.
Are you saying that I should not join the home Workgroup and that net
use will show the available resources without this authentication.
If so, is it possible to launch a batch file at logon to set these
paths/mappings?

Phil
Click to expand...

There is no such thing as "joining a Workgroup". Workgroups are only for
cosmetic/organizational purposes. Machines do not have to be in the
same Workgroup to share resources. I can't answer you about creating a
batch file. Maybe someone else with scripting skills will answer that.

Malke
 
On you logon screen all you have to do use the drop down window next to "log
on to"and select your local login (this computer). Then login using your
home credentials. Change it back when at work. There is no reason to map any
drives.
 
That will work, but most users find that approach unsatisfactory because it
loads a different profile affecting the desktop, email accounts, sometimes
usability of installed programs, etc.
--
 
Yes and I was going to give instructions on how to copy the profile but the
op said in his original post that he had to "specifically "disconnect" or
similar from the office domain" that lead me to believe that he already had
a local profile setup.
 
Tom Jones said:
Yes and I was going to give instructions on how to copy the profile but
the op said in his original post that he had to "specifically "disconnect"
or similar from the office domain" that lead me to believe that he already
had a local profile setup.
Click to expand...

The "specific disconnect" was a requirement for joining the home Workgroup.
I would rather retain the roaming office profile if this is possible and
perhaps run a batch file using "net use" to set additional network paths to
home resources.
Is this possible?
If so any links/advice/instructions please?

Phil
 
--

TheScullster said:
The "specific disconnect" was a requirement for joining the home
Workgroup.
I would rather retain the roaming office profile if this is possible and
perhaps run a batch file using "net use" to set additional network paths
to home resources.
Is this possible?
If so any links/advice/instructions please?

Phil
Click to expand...
See the Tech Tips and Downloads page at
http:// [Remove this and spaces] www. gtscomputerservice. com

I have a sample batch file there called "EasyMap" that might help.

Note also - There is no such thing a "joining a workgroup." The issue is
simply one of accessing shared resources.
 
See the Tech Tips and Downloads page at
http:// [Remove this and spaces] www. gtscomputerservice. com

I have a sample batch file there called "EasyMap" that might help.

Note also - There is no such thing a "joining a workgroup." The issue is
simply one of accessing shared resources.
Click to expand...

Thanks GTS

Are the details in the batch file (uname and password) authenticated by the
PC that you are using at the time?
If so, do you need to create this account on any PC you intend to use to
access the home network?


The fact that you used the extension cmd rather than bat on your file caused
me problems initially.
Tried to open (ie read the contents of) your file on my office PC and
promptly lost all my network drives!
Having opened the file in Notepad I now understand why!

Phil
 
TheScullster said:
See the Tech Tips and Downloads page at
http:// [Remove this and spaces] www. gtscomputerservice. com

I have a sample batch file there called "EasyMap" that might help.

Note also - There is no such thing a "joining a workgroup." The issue
is
simply one of accessing shared resources.
Click to expand...

Thanks GTS

Are the details in the batch file (uname and password) authenticated by
the
PC that you are using at the time?
If so, do you need to create this account on any PC you intend to use to
access the home network?


The fact that you used the extension cmd rather than bat on your file
caused
me problems initially.
Tried to open (ie read the contents of) your file on my office PC and
promptly lost all my network drives!
Having opened the file in Notepad I now understand why!

Phil
Click to expand...

The user name and password should match an account on the machine to which
you are connecting (the one with the share).

Note you can also enter \\netname of the target machine as a run command or
start \\netname in a command prompt to get a tree view of the shares.
 
The user name and password should match an account on the machine to which
you are connecting (the one with the share).

Note you can also enter \\netname of the target machine as a run command
or start \\netname in a command prompt to get a tree view of the shares.
Click to expand...

Thanks GTS
I'll give all this a run out when my network's sorted.
So far I'm only experimenting with 2 PCs but this is about to change!
Had to tell *her indoors* that I'm tidying up wiring in the loft, so she
doesn't whinge at the amount of time this "non essential" work is taking.

Does this work the same for a broadband router/firewall?

Phil
 
TheScullster said:
Thanks GTS
I'll give all this a run out when my network's sorted.
So far I'm only experimenting with 2 PCs but this is about to change!
Had to tell *her indoors* that I'm tidying up wiring in the loft, so she
doesn't whinge at the amount of time this "non essential" work is taking.

Does this work the same for a broadband router/firewall?

Phil
Click to expand...
You're welcome. Yes.
--
 
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