xp as a router

[Guest]

Are there any problems when using xp as a router box on a medium sized
network? I know XP only allows 10 simultaneous connections, so would this
possibly be an issue if there are 200 computers on the network? Could the
same problem occur using xp as a print server for 15 printers with multiple
pcs pointing at each printer. Can any shed some light on the max connection
issue and routing/print server services for xp. thanks

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Are there any problems when using xp as a router box on a medium sized
network? I know XP only allows 10 simultaneous connections, so would
this possibly be an issue if there are 200 computers on the network?
Could the same problem occur using xp as a print server for 15
printers with multiple pcs pointing at each printer. Can any shed
some light on the max connection issue and routing/print server
services for xp. thanks

You're limited to 10 connections - I believe you'd run into major problems.
And given how inexpensive hardware
router/firewall appliances are, I'd have to wonder why one would want to
turn a perfectly good workstation into a router!

 

[SpongeBob SquarePants]

10 is 10 - the 1st 10 connecting to box will be able to work, the rest will
get the max connections have been exceeded error message. That as they say
is that. If you need more than 10, get a server OS, Win2k or Win2k3.

--
"SpongeBob SquarePants"
"Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?"

Small Note: If you want to learn how to fix/do something, I'll point you to
it, but if you want me to do your work for you, it will cost you $50 USD per
hour - your choice.

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

A client connecting to a shared printer counts as a connection. However,
simple routing does not involve a 'connection' and there is no limit on how
many machines can route packets through a multihomed XP Pro machine.

Doug Sherman
MCSE Win2k/NT4.0, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

A client connecting to a shared printer counts as a connection.
However, simple routing does not involve a 'connection' and there is
no limit on how many machines can route packets through a multihomed
XP Pro machine.

Good to know. I still say, why bother?

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Not so very long ago it frequently made sense for small and medium size
networks to dedicate an old Win2k Pro or XP machine to Internet routing
duty. Typically, these machines were not joined to the domain; they used
cheap but effective third party firewall/proxy server software; and they
were usually a cheaper solution than ISA or Cisco. However, the decline in
prices and improvement in features of pure hardware solutions now makes the
multihomed workstation less attractive for this use. On the other hand, if
you have an old workstation that you're not using ............

Doug Sherman
MCSE Win2k/NT4.0, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP



"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

A client connecting to a shared printer counts as a connection.
However, simple routing does not involve a 'connection' and there is
no limit on how many machines can route packets through a multihomed
XP Pro machine.

Good to know. I still say, why bother?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Not so very long ago it frequently made sense for small and medium
size networks to dedicate an old Win2k Pro or XP machine to Internet
routing duty. Typically, these machines were not joined to the
domain; they used cheap but effective third party firewall/proxy
server software; and they were usually a cheaper solution than ISA or
Cisco. However, the decline in prices and improvement in features of
pure hardware solutions now makes the multihomed workstation less
attractive for this use. On the other hand, if you have an old
workstation that you're not using ............

All true - I still would rather have a little solid state device for this.
Esp. if it's a business network. Far more can go wrong on a workstation.

Doug Sherman
MCSE Win2k/NT4.0, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP



"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

All true - I still would rather have a little solid state device for this.
Esp. if it's a business network. Far more can go wrong on a workstation.

There's another funny calculation here. The bigger electricity
consumption of a computer can outweigh the cost of a router over
the years. -)

Hans-Georg

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

There's another funny calculation here. The bigger electricity
consumption of a computer can outweigh the cost of a router over
the years. -)

True, dat!