Home network issues -FileSharing, Admin rights, monitoring

[tzar]

Hello,

I have 3 PCs connected at home all sharing one internet
broadband connection using a router. I have joined all 3
PCs into a workgroup, and the PCs all can see each other,
but cannot access each other's Shared Folder. Error msg
goes something like "no permission to access the folder,
please contact Sys Adm..." (something like that).
My OSes are XPpro, XPhome & Win98.

My questions are;
1.) How do I allow file sharing within this small network?
2.) How do I make myself (or my PC) the administrator of
the whole network?
3.) How do I monitor all activities going on in my network?
4.) Pertaining to Qns 1-3 above, do I need any extra
software? Or do I only need to reconfigure my existing
OSes?

Please kindly advise,
Thank You

[Greenstead]

1. The default settings on the router and PCs enable file sharing. In addition you have to create a network share on each PC, and give them all the same workgroup name.
My sig has a checklist you can use if sharing is a problem.

2. There is no such thing as the whole network in a peer to peer network. Each PC has equal rights. Each PC administers its own rights to allow others to access it.

3. There are many network monitoring packages around (most cost money). One I find 'nteresting and easy to understand (and free) is Network probe:
http://www.objectplanet.com/Probe/

The question is 'what do you want to monitor and why'? Personally I struggle to find a use for it after the novelty wears off.

4. I would say of far more interest to monitor is network intrusions (hopefully failed attempts).
There are two levels:
a. Rejected at the router. If your router has firewall software it may generate stats and logs - syslog is ideal if your router supports it.
b. Trapped at the PC. A free firewall like zonealarm will trap and record unexpected connections both incoming and outgoing.

[cszeto]

One more thing to keep in mind...

3 is a pretty advanced subject in most cases. The packet level utilities are generally geared for advanced folks and do not work on "switched" networks, most SOHO/broadband routers include switches...

[tzar]

I thank you both for your help...

[tzar]

To Greenstead,

I want to monitor the activities on my network to keep track of my kids' internet surfing and downloading habits.

Any software you'd recommend?

[Greenstead]

The simplest answer is:

1. IE has a history function so you can look back at every URL accessesed (assuming the user does not clear it).

2. You can use UltraVNC to monitor another PC desktop realtime and see everthing that is going on.

Monitoring usage is not something I would normally recommend or endorse, but to protect young children I think its a good idea.