Windows XP maxed out as a file server?

Question

I am running Windows XP as a file server to 8 machines running real time applications. Three of the machines, also running XP, will open upwards of one thousand files each (and keep them open). Each of these machines are connected to the file server via the 'net use' command, all accessing the same shared folder.

When these machines reach around 900 files, the file server appears to be unable to serve out any more files. For budgetary reasons, we are unable to upgrade to W2K3 server.

Is there a limit to how many files Windows XP can keep open and serve at once? Is there a way to change this limit?

Answer 1

I have no idea, but I recommend you use a server class of Windows if you're using it as a server.

Answer 2

There is a limit of 10 incoming file sharing connections in XP. You need to use a server OS with appropriate licensing to support this ... or an OS without client licenses.

Note this limit doesn't apply to incoming TCP connections directly.