Creating user account on Windows Server 2003

[Baderup]

Situation: 8 computers (XP Pro) and a server running Server 2003 in an office all hardwired through ethernet.

Currently we use the server basically as a file server, people have personal folders and we have a community folder to retrieve scans made from the copier etc. They can access this through the Z: drive which I have mapped on all their computers. I created usernames and passwords within Server 2003 so they can access the Z: drive..

My question is, can't they login to their computer without using the XP user account and use the account I set up within Server 2003? How is this done, what is it called, and what are the advantages? Obviously they would be able to login in from any computer on the network....

thanks!

[Chris]

You would have to have the server running its own domain. The clients would then connect and log into the domain. All password protected and just what you want.

Alternatively you would need to create a new user account on the clients and name that account as one of the user accounts on the server. You can have XP log straight onto the account or have the user enter the password for the account.

[Baderup]

You would have to have the server running its own domain. The clients would then connect and log into the domain. All password protected and just what you want.

Alternatively you would need to create a new user account on the clients and name that account as one of the user accounts on the server. You can have XP log straight onto the account or have the user enter the password for the account.

If I did that, would their files be stored locally on their computer or on the server?

Also if I want to go ahead and set this up, what exactly do I need to do on the client side with XP?