Well, We would not have networks, or our jobs, if organizations did not find it valuable to provide access to information and resources stored on one computer to users of another computer. Creating a shared folder to provide such access is therefore among the most fundamental tasks for any network administrator. Windows Server 2003 shared folders are managed with the Shared Folders snap-in.
Sharing a folder configures the File And Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks service (also known as the Server service) to allow network connections to that folder and its subfolders by clients running the Client For Microsoft Networks (also known as the Workstation service). You certainly have shared a folder using Windows Explorer by right-clicking a folder, choosing Sharing And Security, and selecting Share This Folder.
However, the familiar Sharing tab of a folder’s properties dialog box in Windows Explorer is available only when you configure a share while logged on to a computer interactively or through terminal services. You cannot share a folder on a remote system using Windows Explorer. Therefore, you will examine the creation, properties, configuration, and management of a shared folder using the Shared Folders snap-in, which can be used on both local and remote systems.
When you open the Shared Folders snap-in, either as a custom MMC console snap-in or as part of the Computer Management or File Server Management consoles, you will immediately notice that Windows Server 2003 has several default administrative shares already configured. These shares provide connection to the system directory (typically, C:\Windows) as well as to the root of each fixed hard disk drive. Each of these shares uses the dollar sign ($) in the share name. The dollar sign at the end of a share name configures the share as a hidden share that will not appear on browse lists, but that you may connect to with a Universal Naming Convention (UNC) in the form \\servername\sharename$. Only administrators can connect to the administrative shares. Image below shows you hidden shared with $
Hidden Administrative SharedTo share a folder on a computer, connect to the computer using the Shared Folders snap-in by right-clicking the root Shared Folders node and choosing Connect To Another Computer.
Connecting to another computerOnce the snap-in is focused on the computer, click the Shares node and, from the shortcut or Action menu, choose New Share. The important pages and settings exposed by the wizard are
■ The Folder Path page Type the path to the folder on the local hard drives so, for example, if the folder is located on the server’s D drive, the folder path would be D:\foldername.
■ The Name, Description, and Settings page Type the share name. If your net-work has any down-level clients (those using DOS-based systems), be sure to adhere to the 8.3 naming convention to ensure their access to the shares. The share name will, with the server name, create the UNC to the resource, in the form \\servername\sharename. Add a dollar sign to the end of the share name to make the share a hidden share. Unlike the built-in hidden administrative shares, hidden shares that are created manually can be connected to by any user, restricted only by the share permissions on the folder.
■ The Permissions page Select the appropriate share permissions.
Note:
*** If it is your first time you make a new share on Windows Server 2003, on Folder snap-in, when you right click on Shares node and select New Share, you will get the following error messages:
Error Message 1: The following error occurred while contacting the specified computer "computer name" :
The Workstation service has not been started.
Error Message 2: The following occurred while reading the list of shares for Windows Clients:
Error 2114: The server service is not started.
To fix the above errors, go to enable the services on Services Manager snap-in. To go to the Services Manager snap-in: Start>> Run >> Services.msc >> [Enter]
-- Find the Sever service and Workstation service, then Start the services
Services Manger Snap-inAfter that you will be able to start sharing folders...Enjoy your sharing!
