Network Setup

There are numerous methods of networking computers, and this bulletin deals with only the most common - peer to peer using Microsoft Windows as this is the most common in the Shop Trac environment.

 A peer to peer network as opposed to one with a dedicated server is one where a group of workstations are connected together for the purpose of sharing files and/or printers.  This bulletin assumes that your network is configured as follows:

Computer names are specified using the Network option from the Windows Control panel.

Shop Trac works best in a multi-user environment if all computers see Shop Trac on the same drive letter.  The easiest way to do this is to create a folder C:\SHARED and share it as SHARED on the computer called SERVER.  Make sure that all users have FULL access to SHARED.

On STATION1 and STATION2 drive letter F: is mapped to \\server\shared   The My Computer window on both STATION1 and STATION2 should show a drive F: being SHARED on SERVER.  To map a drive, right click Network Neiborhood (or My Network Places) and search for SERVER.  Once SERVER has been located, browse to SHARED and right click SHARED to Map Drive F:  Make sure the the Reconnect at Logon box is checked.

In order for the machine SERVER to also have a drive F: that points to C:\SHARED we need to use  DOS commands.  Create a NETWORK.BAT file using NOTEPAD that contains the line:

SUBST  F:  C:\SHARED

and place this BAT file in the Start Menu | Startup folder.  After a reboot of SERVER a drive F: should also appear in the My Computer window of SERVER

At this point, all 3 computers should have a drive F: that points to the C:\SHARED directory on SERVER.

From the machine SERVER, create a directory called TRAC on drive F:.  Now move your all the files from C:\TRAC to F:\TRAC.  Make sure that you move all sub directories as well.  You can use Windows explorer, or use the command:

XCOPY  C:\TRAC  F:\TRAC  /S/E

from the Start Menu Run prompt.