A technician is setting up a desktop computer in a small office. The user will need to access files on a drive shared from another desktop on the network. Which of the following configurations should the technician employ to achieve this goal?

In modern operating systems like Windows, network profiles are used to apply appropriate security settings based on the trustworthiness of the network. A Private network profile is intended for trusted environments, such as a home or small office. Selecting this profile automatically enables network discovery and allows file and printer sharing, which are necessary for one computer to see and access a shared drive on another computer on the same local network. This is the fundamental configuration required to achieve the user's goal.

B. Enable a proxy server: A proxy server is an intermediary for internet traffic, used for content filtering, caching, or anonymity, not for direct file sharing between computers on a local network.
C. Grant the network administrator role to the user: This is a significant security risk and is not required. A standard user only needs the appropriate permissions on the specific shared folder, not administrative rights over the entire network.
D. Create a shortcut to public documents: This is a step that might be taken after sharing is properly configured. It does not enable the underlying network connectivity and discovery required for sharing to function.

1. Microsoft Support. (2024). File sharing over a network in Windows. Microsoft. Retrieved from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/file-sharing-over-a-network-in-windows-b58704b2-f53a-4b82-7282-8f8db5e242d5.

In the section "Turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing

" the documentation explicitly states: "For a private network

turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing." This confirms that setting the network profile to Private is the correct initial step.

2. Microsoft Learn. (2023

April 12). Introduction to the Windows Firewall. Microsoft. Retrieved from https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/operating-system-security/network-security/windows-firewall/introduction-to-the-windows-firewall.

This document details the different network location types (Domain

Private

Public). It explains that the "Private" profile applies rules that "allow for network discovery and other communications with devices on the same network

" which is essential for the scenario described.

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Information Security Office. (n.d.). Windows Security - Network Location. Retrieved from https://www.cmu.edu/iso/governance/guidelines/windows-security.html.

Under the "Network Location" section

the guideline advises: "When you connect to a new network

Windows will ask you to identify the network location... Choose 'Home network' or 'Work network' (Private) for networks you trust... This will allow you to see other computers and devices on the network." This university guideline reinforces the standard practice of using a Private profile for trusted office networks to enable resource sharing.