Windows XP networking: Understanding the basics
Published: September 7, 2006
Both Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition and Microsoft Windows XP Professional (including Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Windows XP Media Center Edition) enable you to connect to the Internet, communicate using e-mail and instant messaging, browse the Web, and get computer help from friends.
Networking in Windows XP Home Edition
Windows XP Home Edition provides powerful networking features that meet the needs of most home computer users. The following sections describe the most important networking features of Windows XP Home Edition.
E-mail, Web browsing, and instant messaging
Windows XP Home Edition includes Microsoft Outlook Express, which gives you access to the e-mail inbox provided by your Internet service provider. Windows XP Home Edition also includes Internet Explorer for browsing the Web. For instant messaging, you can use Windows Messenger to chat with friends using your keyboard, voice, or a webcam.
Network Setup Wizard
The Network Setup Wizard makes it easy to join a network by walking you through the process step by step. For most networks, you can simply connect your computer and accept the default settings. Within minutes, Windows XP connects you to your home network and the Internet.
Remote Assistance
Everyone needs computer help at some point. When you have a problem, you can use Remote Assistance to invite a friend or technical support engineer to connect to your computer and help you fix it. Remote Assistance allows you to share control of your computer over the Internet, so someone can fix a problem or teach you something new as if they were sitting next to you—even if they are on the other side of the world.
Wireless networking
Wireless networks with Internet access are becoming common in coffee shops, restaurants, airports, and homes. With Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2, you can browse and connect to available wireless networks easily—without needing to understand how they work.
Windows Firewall
Using the Internet can expose your computer to many threats, including worms, viruses, and hackers. Fortunately, Windows XP Home Edition includes Windows Firewall, which can protect you from most of them. Windows Firewall automatically enables and sets itself up when you install Windows XP SP2 so you don’t have to understand how a firewall works to benefit from its protection.
Networking in Windows XP Professional
Windows XP Professional (including Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Windows XP Media Center Edition) gives you all the benefits of Windows XP Home Edition, plus additional remote access, mobility, and business networking capabilities.
Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop enables you to access your Windows XP Professional computer from another computer on your home network or by using the Internet. If you have more than one computer at home, this is a good way to use applications that are installed on another computer. If you travel, you can use Remote Desktop to connect to your home computer from an Internet kiosk to check your e-mail or run other applications. Of course, Remote Desktop requires a user name and password, and also encrypts all communications, to protect you from most network attacks.
Internet Information Services (IIS)
IIS turns your computer into a Web server. While running a Web server may be too complicated a task for the casual computer user, it can be fun for a hobbyist. IIS in Windows XP Professional allows up to 10 users to connect to your Web site simultaneously.
Offline Files and Folders
If you connect to shared folders on your office’s network, you can use Offline Files and Folders to automatically create a copy of shared folders on your computer that you can work in while you are disconnected from the network. For example, if you are writing a proposal in a Microsoft Word document stored in a shared folder at your office, you can use Offline Files and Folders to continue working with the file while you are traveling or away from the office. The next time you connect to your office network, Offline File and Folders copies your updates to the shared folder.
Domains and Active Directory
Many businesses use Active Directory domains to make it easy to manage all the computers on their network. Windows XP Professional can join a domain and gain access to shared resources. If your office uses an Active Directory, you need Windows XP Professional to join the domain and access network resources.
To learn more about networking, read Introduction to home and small business networking.
