Let me try to explain this as best I can...



Two weeks ago, I purchased a switch to network two desktop PCs together. I
used the network setup wizard on both machines to create a single workgroup.
In that workgroup, both PCs have their shared folders available, and one
machine is sharing a printer and an extra folder as well.



I found out a way to password protect each machine on the network, but, for
security sake, I would like to find a way for a given machine to sign-off of
the network without logging off, or rebooting. So far, that is the only way
I know how to close a given machine's network connection.



Regards.



"Shenan Stanley" wrote in message
...
rustyfender04 wrote:
I am running XP Home w/SP3, and I have another computer (same OS)
networked together on my LAN. I created a network group for these
PCs to share certain folders and a printer, and I also created a
network password for each machine too.

My concern is, how do you sign-off from the network? I'm not
talking about a network drive here.

Shenan Stanley wrote:
Eh?

If this is not a domain (from the description, it is not) you are a
member of - if you do not have the resource (drive, printer, other
computer, etc) connected - that's it.

rustyfender04 wrote:
Thanks for replying, but I'm not sure I understand what you're
saying.
My networking experience is not that great.

Not sure there are simpler terms.

If you are not connected to a shared printer, a shared storage space or in
some other manner actively using the remote system on the network (or them
connected to you) - then there is nothing to log off of...

It's not like you create a printer share and/or a file share and set the
share and file/folder permissions on it and then your other computers just
'know' that those shares are there and connect to it automatically without
you doing some sort of setup on the other computers (script, you map and
remember ther drive letter/printer, etc.) Sure - if these are unhidden
shares then you can browse for them - but seeing them on the network and
actively using them - two different things.

And if you are are using workgroups only - all that is is a convenient way
of grouping/organizing in the end. It's not like a corporate/work domain
where certain things are controlled by servers everytime your machine/user
is seen on the network. At least at the level you are at (Windows XP) - a
workgroup is nothing more than a last name, signifying you are part of
that group... And just like the last name - it is possible someone else
in the world is using it too.

So your answer is 'there is nothing to log off of unless you have
connected to comething - just being *on* the same network as the other
computers with the same workgroup name and such does not mean you are
logged into any special network.'

If that is - not sure yet - what you are asking.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html