Network clients and services are at the top of the Windows network architecture. They perform the high-level functions that enable access to shared resources. Network Services are separate and distinct from network transmission protocols. The easiest way to remember the difference is to note that the network transmission protocols move data from one computer to another. Network Services define devices or objects on the network, such as computers, shared folders, shared printers and are concerned with the data, but not with its transportation across the network.
In this section we will install and configure Windows network services.
Network Installation
Network Clients. Windows includes three network clients. Open the Network Configuration window to verify that the Client for Microsoft Networks is installed. If necessary, install it by clicking the Add button and double-clicking Client in the Select Network Component Type dialog box. In the Select Network Client dialog box, click Microsoft in the Manufacturers list, and then click Client for Microsoft Networks in the Network Clients list. Click OK.
The Microsoft Family Logon network client is added during the installation of Internet Explorer 4.0 and 4.01. It will not be used and should be removed. The Client for Novell Networks will not be used and if present, should be removed. The resulting network configuration is shown below.
The Configuration tab of the Network dialog showing requried network components.
IE float bugFile and Print Sharing. The file and print sharing service allows users to share directories, printers, and CD-ROM drives. File and printer sharing must be installed before a computer's name will appear in a browse list. To configure this service click the File and Print sharing button on the Network Configuration window and select the desired sharing options. System security can be increased by eliminating unused bindings and services. File and print sharing should not be installed on systems that will not be sharing resources.
The File and Print Sharing dialog has checkboxes to enable the file sharing and print sharing service.
IE float bugFile and printer sharing will appear as a service in the Network Configuration window if it has been installed.
The Configuration tab of the Network dialog with the File and Printer sharing service enabled.
Service Configuration
Primary Network Logon. The Primary Network Logon pull-down menu lets you choose the primary network login type. Select Windows Logon for a peer-to-peer network. Client for Microsoft Networks is only necessary for logging onto a Windows domain.
The Primary Network Logon option is specified in the Configuration tab of the Network dialog.
IE float bugService Configuration. Double-clicking on it in the list of installed components will reveal the "Client for Microsoft Networks Properties" dialog box. The top section of this dialog allows you to configure a workstation to login to a Windows Server in domain controller mode. Peer-to-peer networking can only share resources on a device or resource level. There is no user-level authentication and no network logon.
The Client for Microsoft Networks Properties dialog provides two Network logon options.
IE float bugThe buttons in the Network Logon Options section let you specify Quick Logon or Logon and Restore Network Connections. The Quick Logon option connects you to the network but doesn't attempt to verify the availability of network resources, e.g. mapped drives and network printers, until they are accessed. This is usually the best option when hosts may not be operating when clients logon.
The Logon and Restore Network Connections option verifies that each mapped resource is accessible before completing the logon process. If the resource is not available a "connection not available" or "share name not found" message will appear along with a Yes/No prompt to try again next time. Unfortunately, if you click the No button Windows will delete the connection record from the Registry.
Bindings
Select NetBEUI and click Properties. NetBEUI should be bound to Client for Microsoft Networks, if it isn't click the check box to create the binding in the screen capture below.
The Bindings tab of the NetBEUI Properties dialog showing that NetBEUI is bound to the Client for Microsoft Networks.
Binding Tree
Binding Tree showing NetBEUI bound to the Local Network Adapter and the Client for Microsoft Networks.
IE float bugA File and printer sharing option will be listed if this service has been installed. It should be checked if the client will provide files or a printer to the network.
The Bindings tab of the NetBEUI Properties dialog showing that NetBEUI is bound to the Client for Microsoft Networks and to File and printer sharing.
Binding Tree
Binding Tree showing NetBEUI bound to the Local Network Adapter and the Client for Microsoft Networks and File and Printer Sharing services.