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Can i do a diskless network via Win XP? what are the software that i will need to have a stable connection?

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You want a single server that supplies the OS to multiple HDD‑less clients () and hardware will shape the choice (). Two practical, commonly used architectures are worth comparing so you can pick what fits your budget and scale.

Run everything on the server (Remote Desktop / Terminal Server). Clients only need to display an RDP session; the server runs user desktops and apps. Pros: central management, lower client HW needs, simpler backup. Cons: you must size the server for concurrent users and buy Remote Desktop CALs. Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services overview is a good starting point: .

Boot a full client image from network storage (diskless/stream-boot). This gives each client its own Windows instance but requires a network boot/preboot step plus network storage that presents a LUN or streamed image (iSCSI targets, commercial streaming like Citrix Provisioning Services). Performance and reliability depend heavily on network and storage (use gigabit or better, isolate storage traffic, plan pagefile handling). See Microsoft’s iSCSI overview and Citrix provisioning docs for implementation choices: , Citrix Provisioning.

Practical checklist and quick troubleshooting:

  • Prototype with one client first.
  • Ensure server CPU/RAM and storage IOPS match expected users.
  • Network: gigabit at minimum; dedicate a VLAN for storage if possible.
  • Drivers: preboot image must include the NIC driver used by clients.
  • Licensing: verify Windows and RDS/CAL requirements before deployment.
  • Common breakpoints: DHCP/PXE configuration, missing NIC driver in preboot, blocked ports (TFTP/PXE/iSCSI). For PXE/WDS-style network boot information see .

This should help pick a path: server‑hosted sessions if you want simpler clients and central apps, or network‑boot/iSCSI/streaming if each client must run a full Windows image.

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Member Avatar for hughv

If I i knew what you meant by "Diskless" I might be able to help.
Tel us more about your hardware. Router? Broadband? How many PCs?

Member Avatar for bornok15

What i meant was a network with only one computer(the server) which has the harddisk and OS.. for example 5 client computers without harddisk and 1 sever that has one and all of them connect to it.. is there a software that i could use or settings to do? so far i only know i should use lan cards with bios that can connect via network.. like the unix systems..

Member Avatar for jbennet

you can do thin client with XP embedded i think, but i dont think you can with any other versions

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