File and Printer Sharing

File Sharing is sharing of or offering access to digital information or

resources, including documents, multimedia (audio/video), graphics,
computer programs, images and e-books. It is the private or public
distribution of data or resources in a network with different levels of
sharing privileges.
File sharing can be done using several methods. The most common
techniques include the following:
 Removable storage devices
 Centralized file hosting server installations on networks
 World Wide Web-oriented hyperlinked documents
 Distributed peer-to-peer networks
Sharing Resources and Accessing Shared Resources
1.Open My Computer, double-click the C: drive, and
create a new folder on the C: drive. Name it
Shared. Right-click the Shared folder and select
Properties.
2.In the Shared Properties dialog box, select the
Sharing tab.
 Notice that the Select the Share This Folder button.
 Type the Share Name. Click Apply and the computer you
are linked to should be able to view your Shared folder.
3.Right-click My Network Places, which should be located on
your desktop. Select Properties.

Right-click your connection (look for a name like Local Area

Connection) and again select Properties

In your Local Area Connection Properties dialog box, select

File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks and click OK.
If you don’t see an option for File and Print Sharing, click
Install and select a service and then click Add. Now select
the File and Print Sharing option
Open My Network Places- double-click the
icon- and select the Entire Network option
under Other Places at the left of the window.
In the main (right-hand) pane, you should see
one or more options. Double-click the
Microsoft Windows Network icon.
You’re now at the main network screen, where you
should see what’s called a workgroup. A workgroup is
a basic group of computers connected to the same
Ethernet network. Double-click the workgroup to see
all the computers connected to your Ethernet network.
Printer Sharing
One of the primary reasons that networks were developed
was to allow groups of computer users to share peripheral
devices such as printer. Sharing a single printer among a
group of users costs much less than buying a printer for each
computer.
Low-cost printers usually require a separate print server to
allow network connectivity because these printers do not
have built-in network interfaces. The computer that is
connected to the printer can serve as the print server. Most
personal computer operating systems have built-in printer
sharing capability.
 Setting up printer sharing is simple with Windows XP. The
following steps enable a computer to share a printer:

Step 1. Choose Start > Printers and Faxes.

Step 2. Right-click the printer, and choose Properties.
Step 3. Click the Sharing tab.
Step 4. Click the Share this printer radio button.
Step 5. Keep or change the share name.
Step 6. Click Apply.
 
 All the computers that use the shared printer
must have the correct drivers installed. Drivers for
other operating systems can be installed on the
print server.
To connect to the printer from another computer
on the network, choose Start > Printers and
Faxes > Add Printer. The Add Printer Wizard
appears. Follow the steps using the wizard.
Essay Writing
Directions: Give an explanation on how you understand
the subject. Provide at least 5 sentence response per
item.
 
1. Cite the importance of file sharing and give an
example scenario where its worth was proven.
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2. Cite the advantages and disadvantages of printer sharing.

Advantages Disadvantages
   
 
 
 

Example Situation Example Situation

   
   
 
 
 
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