Enable users to access resources on the server

Updated: March 30, 2011

You can enable users to access resources that are located on the Windows SBS 2011 Essentials server in multiple ways. If you want to users to have remote access to files that are stored on the server, we recommend using individual user accounts, but more options are available to access these files too. The following options are available to provide access to server resources:

• Using individual user accounts If you want users to use remote access, and/or have individual user accounts, after you connect the computer to the server, you can create new network user accounts for the users of this computer on the server using the Dashboard. After creating the user accounts, you must provide the network user name and password information to the users of this computer so that they can access resources on the server using Launchpad. For more information about creating a user account, see Add a user account.

• Using a Guest account The Guest account can be used as a convenient way to turn on access to resources that are stored on your server (such as photos and music) for someone who is not a regularly using the home server. You can activate the Guest account to share files with your extended family (such as grandparents) and friends. Use the Guest account for temporary access to resources on the server and deactivate the Guest account when the guest no longer requires access to the resources on the server. By default, the Guest account, when activated has Read only access. It is recommended that you think about what level of access to the server folders should be provided to the guest account, whether Read/Write access is required, or if a Read only access is sufficient. These considerations will provide maximum protection and privacy to your data. For more information about setting access to server folders, see How do I manage access to server folders?