How to set up a server with windows XP professional

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Clarification of Question by mcdesai-ga on 01 Feb 2005 19:25 PST

I want to set up a server (using WINDOWS XP professional) that can be
accessed by a Laptop via a wireless interface and a remote computer
via DSL/Cable modem

I just did this yesterday.  Go to My Network Places and start with Set
Up Home or Office Network.  Make sure you change the Windows firewall
or any other firewall settings to allow file and printer sharing in
the network.  Make sure the wirelss adapter on your laptop is
configured through Windows XP and not through 3rd party software.  You
have to do this on each of your computers and have them turned on at
the same time.

If you run into problems, you can test the connection by going to DOS
screen command and type, ping + IP address.  Microsoft also offers
detailed description on their website. 
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/getstarted/getsetup.mspx
and http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/getstarted/troubleshoot.mspx
 
I hope this works for you.  Good luck.

Thanks for the response...How does the connection from the remote client work?

You need to set up a VPN on the local computer as a host and then
connect to it with your remote computer.

Step by step instructions can be found at
http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2004/03/09/vpn_connection.html

Also, you will see that you need to specify an IP address for the
server you want to connect to. If the server has a dynamic IP, this
introduces problems. You can get around this by getting a Dynamic DNS
service where for a low fee (or free) you can use one of their domain
names and point it to your computer, then a client updates the domain
record each time the IP address changes

Such services can be http://www.ods.org or http://www.dyndns.org

In addition to Mr. Ximian's comment, since you are using Windows XP
Professional you may find it handy to use XP's built-in Remote Desktop
terminal service to allow your remote computers to connect.

Microsoft's page explaining the service:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/getstarted/remoteintro.mspx

Other non-XP Windows machines can also download the Remote Desktop client program:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools/rdclientdl.mspx

You may need to configure your router or firewall to allow traffic on
port 3389 and enable port-forwarding to your server.  Once everything
is set up it will be just like sitting in front of the computer.