Hi all, im just wandering is it ok to use windows xp pro for my server rather than windows server 2003 or something all i want it to do is be a file server, have a firewall, and host a small website on the intranet? AMD Athlon 3000+ 64bit OC-3400 Asus A8N-SLI MB 1GB DDR 32002X 512MB 2X SLI Asus 6600GT Cards 320GB Hard Drives 1X 200SATA, 2X 60GBATA

I use an XP machine as a file server and a web server. Router? I suppose you could, but because of the possibility of the machine crashing or having some sort of hardware failure, I would rather have a dedicated SOHO router instead. Of course, a firewall goes without saying. Michael J

It's fine for that job. XP Pro has everything it needs to work as a file server and to host an intranet site. You would only need 2003 server if you need a domain controller, and even then it's better to use a Linux server running Samba for that task. I had set up a 2003 box up as a file server, but everyone continued to use the old Linux server because it's faster and it always works. We hate the 2003 piece of crap, and all that it's used for now is storing SQL databases for my boss. He's constantly frustrated because he has to walk down the hall and restart services/reboot it so often. Save your money and use XP Pro for the task you're doing. 2003 Server isn't worth the plastic the CD is made of.

Depends what you mean by a file server. You can have Windows XP as a peer on a peer to peer network and use it for file storage and retrieval, but it wont be a true file server. For that you do need Windows 2003. You can use it to host a Web server, but again, windows 2003 would be better because of it's server capabilities. I would agree with Micheal as well. a hardware router is infinitely better than a software solution. Far more reliable and secure. Stuart