Need some advice on learning networking

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

At the start of this thread I said that I was very uncomfortable networking a copier. Today I had to network a copier on about 6 PC's. With all of this networking bullshit that I've learned over the past couple of months...I was completely comfortable and it was a piece of cake.

I may be over-qualified. I kid.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

When I first started on Windows Server 2019, it was a huge task trying to navigate my way around all the settings and features. As a result, it was difficult to keep everything straight in my mind. I could go thru all the steps and get the job done, but I would quickly forget what I had just done and didn't fully understand.

As the days have passed, I'm much more familiar when navigating thru the maze of settings and GPO's. Now, I don't have to concentrate on that as much and I'm beginning to unlock the power for Windows Server 2019.

You can do some pretty cool stuff with Mapping Network Drive + Folder Redirect. Once you map the network drive...you can redirect any file on the client's PC to the server where it can be backed up so you don't have to walk around to every client PC to back it up.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

The 2 best ways to find the network path of a shared folder.

1. Of course you can always right click on the folder, select properties and click on sharing and it will show you the network path.

2. You can also go to the search box at the bottom left of your screen and type "run". A new search box will open. You then enter: \\(name of your pc) it will then show every network path for every shared folder.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I kinda figured this out on my own but last night I talked to my friend that is in IT.


When you set up a scan folder on a PC in a server environment, you may or may not know this, but the documents in the scan folder aren't being saved locally to the client's PC...they are being redirected to a hard drive on the server.

You may never know this as the Domain Admin can set up a GPO (Group Policy Object) that redirects every folder on the desktop back to the server. Or they could have to to create a shared folder on the mapped drive.

Food for thought.

[bsm2]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I kinda figured this out on my own but last night I talked to my friend that is in IT.


When you set up a scan folder on a PC in a server environment, you may or may not know this, but the documents in the scan folder aren't being saved locally to the client's PC...they are being redirected to a hard drive on the server.

You may never know this as the Domain Admin can set up a GPO (Group Policy Object) that redirects every folder on the desktop back to the server. Or they could have to to create a shared folder on the mapped drive.

Food for thought.

Only if it's setup that way don't assume.
Every customers network is different. Most scan folders are setup on the server and mapped back to the client PC.
PS you can also backup files to a cloud environment.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Only if it's setup that way don't assume.
Every customers network is different. Most scan folders are setup on the server and mapped back to the client PC.
PS you can also backup files to a cloud environment.

Sure, in a server environment it's possible the IT person isn't backing up the scan folder on the server. But it would be dumb if they're scanning important documents. And it would defeat the entire purpose of having a server.


Just to be clear, are you saying that the IT person is setting up the scan folder on the client's PC (via a mapped drive) and all you have to do is enter the network path in the copier?

[bsm2]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Sure, in a server environment it's possible the IT person isn't backing up the scan folder on the server. But it would be dumb if they're scanning important documents. And it would defeat the entire purpose of having a server.


Just to be clear, are you saying that the IT person is setting up the scan folder on the client's PC and all you have to do is enter the network path in the copier?

All depends on there IT. That's why you have to ask them.
I had installs were they have a server but don't want to scan back to server. Setup to scan was back to PC was it backup to their server must likely not.

Best practices is what is recommended but not always followed.

Just like installing print drivers some will let install on server and share others its all local installs

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

All depends on there IT. That's why you have to ask them.
I had installs were they have a server but don't want to scan back to server. Setup to scan was back to PC was it backup to their server must likely not.

Best practices is what is recommended but not always followed.

Just like installing print drivers some will let install on server and share others its all local installs

My point was this and it's really unimportant when creating a scan folder on a client's PC as far as the copier tech is concerned...when you set up a scan folder on the desktop of a client's PC, that folder is actually(redirected) on the hard drive of the server. Not always, but most of the time. At least that what countless IT folks have said on the videos that I watched.

PS - It could be backed up on the cloud. Good point.

[slimslob]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

My point was this and it's really unimportant when creating a scan folder on a client's PC as far as the copier tech is concerned...when you set up a scan folder on the desktop of a client's PC, that folder is actually(redirected) on the hard drive of the server. Not always, but most of the time. At least that what countless IT folks have said on the videos that I watched.

PS - It could be backed up on the cloud. Good point.

If the scan folder is created on a mapped drive, then that folder physically resides on what every computer the the folder is mapped to. Here is something you can check in your computer lab.

If the computer with the scan folder is off, then an attempt to scan to it should give an error "path not found" or something similar.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

If the scan folder is created on a mapped drive, then that folder physically resides on what every computer the the folder is mapped to. Here is something you can check in your computer lab.

If the computer with the scan folder is off, then an attempt to scan to it should give an error "path not found" or something similar.

Yes, I've done that test, but I created the shared folder on the server and mapped the drive to a PC. Access to the folder was determined by the share and security permissions.

[bsm2]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

If a folder is created on a mapped drive its on whatever PC or server is the root.

Typical is to create a folder on the server and mapped to a local PC. Even if the PC is off the scan will still go through to server with No error. Path is to the server not the PC.

[KenB]

[slimslob]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

If a folder is created on a mapped drive its on whatever PC or server is the root.

Typical is to create a folder on the server and mapped to a local PC. Even if the PC is off the scan will still go through to server with No error. Path is to the server not the PC.

That all depends on how the scan destination on the scanner is setup.

[bsm2]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

That all depends on how the scan destination on the scanner is setup.

Once again reading required
Path is to the server not the PC.
Your Welcome

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I could be wrong but I spent several days trying to fully understand a mapped drive. At first I thought they were talking about an actual hard drive but in reality a mapped drive is only a path back to a PC or server hard drive. On the local PC it gives the appearance of being an actual drive but it's just a path back to a PC or sever. Correct?