Accessing Network Resources

Generally speaking, computers don’t know how to access the various resources on your network. Each workstation OS (such as DOS and Windows 95/98, for example) knows how to access only its own local resources (such as local printers and local disk storage). For this reason, network operating systems use various methods to enable workstations to access network resources.

Windows 95/98 computers can use both the various built-in software clients and third-party client software to achieve network connectivity. As a network administrator, you’ll need to tailor the connection software to your network. This is known as proper client selection . Once the client and the server are communicating, the PC can connect to network directories. Drive mappings allow reproducible connections from the local workstation to a network drive. Additionally, local print jobs on the PC are redirected instead of being sent out of a physical LPT port. The job is then sent to a network printer. This is achieved through printer port captures. Let’s look at each of these in detail.