XP Professional Home Network

[Nevun]

I have two computers in my home network both running XP
professional. Is there anyway in which I can centralise
email to give automatic access on either PC (exchange
server?) and, even more desirable, can I set up the user
profiles to share across the network or does that require
a domain server?

 

[CWatters]

Take a look at "Osasync Pro".

eg http://www.soft32.com/download_10106.html

Home page is here..
http://www.vaita.com/index.asp

I'm only using the standard version.

Colin

 

[Scott M.]

You didn't tell us if you are running a domain and email server?

If you are running a domian server, then in the Active Directory Computers
and Users console, you can specify a location for each user's profile to be
stored. Be warned though, that while this may be conveinient, it will mean
a longer time to log in and out for each user.

If you are running Exchange Server (which I suspect you are not), then you
already can log on anywher and get your mail. If not, you can store your
Outlook data file (outlook.pst) in a network share and point each copy of
Outlook at that one .pst file. Now, MS does not recommend this, as it can
introduce corruption to the file. But, for just 2 machines, you'll be fine.

 

[Guest]

I'm not running either at the moment - I am trying to
determine which is the best way to go. I know next to
nothing about domain servers - can I run one on a
standard XP machine, is it overkill for a 2-3 pc home
network, I assume it is not included as part of XP pro?
Same questions really apply to the Exchange server. Can
Outlook express connect to an Exchange server or do I
need to use Outlook?

 

[Scott M.]

I'm not running either at the moment - I am trying to
determine which is the best way to go.

No, it's not. Not for a small home network.

I know next to
nothing about domain servers - can I run one on a
standard XP machine, is it overkill for a 2-3 pc home
network, I assume it is not included as part of XP pro?

You can not run XP as a domain server, you would need Win 2000 or Win 2003
Sever, yes it is overkill for your needs.

Same questions really apply to the Exchange server. Can
Outlook express connect to an Exchange server or do I
need to use Outlook?

Outlook Express can not connect to Exchange, Outlook can. But you don't
need to run your own email server to do what you asked. From my last
message:

...you can store your
Outlook data file (outlook.pst) in a network share and point each copy of
Outlook at that one .pst file. Now, MS does not recommend this, as it can
introduce corruption to the file. But, for just 2 machines, you'll be fine.


In other words, all you need is Outlook (part of MS Office) and the machines
networked together in a Workgroup (Windows XP can do this).

 

[Paul L Fisher]

Outlook Express can connect to Exchange as POP3 and SMTP.

 

[Scott M.]

True, but my understanding of the OP was that he was asking if OE could be
an Exchange client.