So I have two computers in a home network.One is the "server" and the other is a workstation.How do user accounts get managed between them?I'd like to have the same accounts on both computers (for security purposes - permissions, and the like), but that's a bit hard to do since the users (kids, etc.) like to change their passwords frequently.Is this addressed in Windows 7 networking?

Hi This is general network question, but not W7 specific You cannot synchronize accounts between both computers automaticallyif this is what you ask

I understand it's more like a general networking question. That's why I'm asking it here.In home I sure won't be buying a Win xxx server to create a domain.But I'd still like to have my shared files protected according to user rights.It's easy on a local computer but as soon as you move the files to a network location, you have to do something about the accounts.So my question was more like: does Windows 7 address this problem in any way?The network will be setup with two Windows 7 machines, either Home premium or ultimate.

Without a server and some kind of directory you have to manage this yourself. You have to create identical accounts with the same password on both computers.Note that there are other servers you could use besides Windows servers.http://www.linux-nis.org/I prefer Windows with Active Directory but if cost is a factor there are alternatives.With Windows 7 you could also try the Homegroup feature.http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2008/10/28/how-libraries-amp-homegroup-work-together-in-windows-7.aspxKerry Brown MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

I cannot understand you.What you mean?From where to where you move file and how and whenyou move it?

Kerry_Brown said: Without a server and some kind of directory you have to manage this yourself. You have to create identical accounts with the same password on both computers.Is there a way to automatically synchronize user accounts between the machines? Well I could always write a script that would simultaneously change password for both machines and be done with it.Linux server is only a remote possibility since the "server" is also a HTPC. I don't have time to write a good HTPC application that would bind all the players and streamers together.I was also thinking about homegroup, but it more or less works like a file sharing service. Permissions aren't exactly something it would manage by default.

Your other options would be to store shared files on a NAS device or possibly even Windows Home Server. With only two computers I think I would just set up a workgroup and synchronize the accounts and passwords manually.Kerry Brown MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

velis74 said: ........Well I could always write a script that would simultaneously change password for both machines and be done with it............ Whayyou ask then, if this is so easy for you :)And what is the problem it is HTPC? You think linux cannot play video files?!

Ventsislav Alexandriyski said: Whayyou ask then, if this is so easy for you :)And what is the problem it is HTPC? You think linux cannot play video files?! Well, it isn't that easy. Such a script I cannot integrate in lieu of the standard control panel applet. Instead it will have to be run from the start menu or some such and one single use of standard tools would cause the passwords to become unsynchronized.However, I just thought of an alternate solution:Win7 does quite well remembering the credentials to logon to another server. I can also create some "fixed" accounts on the "server" for each of my family members, enter the credentials once and forget about it. I can also create a script, different for each user that would automatically map the network share for each user.So not using synchronized accounts may in the end be even easier than what I was asking in the first place.Thanks Kerry for all your help, the NAS suggestion made me look at the problem from a different angle.As for linux and playing video files:Though there are lots of good open source media center applications out there, none really fits all my needs. Media center in Win7 comes pretty close and I'll even have to write a few plugins for that.Since I've worked with Windows pretty much exclusively, I find it much easier to write a plugin for MCE than for a linux application. That's all. But don't think the thought never crossed my mind. Originally I wanted to to the framework myself and only integrate VLC or some other players when needed. But it was enough to just start designing the software to make me realize that it's too big a project for my available time...

self censored:)

Ventsislav, I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. That I assure you was not my intention. However I cannot understand what you mean by you answering my questions. Looking at the thread you more or less asked additional questions. And I believe I clarified all of them. Again, it was not my intention to offend you. As for programming, that's what I do for a living. MRP systems and such. Hobby is graphics (like 3D). So I know how to write programs. I have at least tried 10 programming languages and multiple development environments for Pascal, C/C++ and Basic. Please don't tell me I don't know how to program. However, I have as of yet never written a program for Linux (aside from some scripts). My Linux experience ranges from SuSE, RedHatto Ubuntu, which I currently have installed. However, I only deal with Linux as a user, trying out various applications. I have tried multiple MCE solutions both on Windows and Linux. Very few of them support IP TV, for one thing, which is how I watch TV at my home. The provider gave me a set top box which converts IP TV to S-Video, but I'd like a more uniform solution with my HTPC). Out of those that do, even fewer support dual monitors (at least half-decently). So I hope you understand now what I am talking about when I say I'll have to do some programming on any MCE app that I finally decide to use. Your only question I didn't answer was about where I was moving the files. I apologize for that. I thought I was clear enough when I said that the other machine was a server. That means that it will also host document files, my sources, SW ISOs and other packages, as well as videos, photos and music. The files won't be moved in any way. I just want to have a reliable storage solution. In regard to NAS - I know what it is. However neither I nor you can explain my thought patterns. So the alternate solution occurred to me while I was reading the suggestion about NAS. Those are typically Linux machines and Linux stores it's passwords differently as Windows does. This particular "incompatibility" triggered the "alias" accounts line of thought. As for keeping files in secret, that's not my intention at all. I do want to protect them from being deleted / modified by my kids, while I still have all the options, that's all. I don't have *those* video files you're hinting about.

velis74I am sorry I misunderstood you.Aside of that I expect when I use my time to help you, you to show somehow you value my try. Maybe I am not an network expert, but I always can offer some solution.I always try to resolve the problem, but not just to answer the question.Differsnce is very big.When someone need help problem is that he/she do not know right question he/she need to ask to get answer to his/her problem.The goal is to answer to needs of man who ask, but not to its question. Do you understand me right?Question and need are not the same.Any problem can be solved in many ways, but just one of them is right way, and just one of them is ideal way.Right way and ideal way are not the same thing.If you explain exactly what you have, what you want todo, and what you want to happen, someone can find ideal way for you.Asking question you think will give you solution, brings you just answer, but not the ideal way.For example you do not ask me, but I will tell you :) that you can set linux as domain controller for windows workstations and your passwords will be always sinchronized on both machines, because this is how domain works. This is what you want to do right?So you do not need to buy server, you can just use any pc on what you can run linux serveras domain controller. No GUI is rewuired for that.I suppose you can use some poket pc with SSD to be domain controller, so it will not waste electricity, will not be noisy, and can run continiouslyBut of course for your case ideal way can be something else. I do not know that because you did not explained your needs, so evrione who reeds your post to decide what to offer to you.