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domain vs workgroup



 
 
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  #1  
Old October 11th 09, 03:18 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web
tuuf
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 50
Default domain vs workgroup

4 computer LAN with all computers running xp. Currently they are networked
via a workgroup. What advantages would I get from joining a domain? Would I
then need windows server OR enable one of the computers with ICS?
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  #2  
Old October 11th 09, 06:05 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web
GTS[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 116
Default domain vs workgroup

You would need a server. Unless your network is expected to grow or you
have particular needs it might not be worth the investment. Note also that
home versions of Windows cannot function as domain members so there's a
question as to what versions of windows you're running.

A server and domain setup offers enhanced security, an ability to manage
windows updates, set group policy, etc. Is this a home or business LAN?
For a typical home situation of sharing some files and printers a server
would be overkill.
--

"tuuf" wrote in message
...
4 computer LAN with all computers running xp. Currently they are networked
via a workgroup. What advantages would I get from joining a domain?
Would I
then need windows server OR enable one of the computers with ICS?


  #3  
Old October 11th 09, 06:05 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web
GTS[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 116
Default domain vs workgroup

You would need a server. Unless your network is expected to grow or you
have particular needs it might not be worth the investment. Note also that
home versions of Windows cannot function as domain members so there's a
question as to what versions of windows you're running.

A server and domain setup offers enhanced security, an ability to manage
windows updates, set group policy, etc. Is this a home or business LAN?
For a typical home situation of sharing some files and printers a server
would be overkill.
--

"tuuf" wrote in message
...
4 computer LAN with all computers running xp. Currently they are networked
via a workgroup. What advantages would I get from joining a domain?
Would I
then need windows server OR enable one of the computers with ICS?


  #4  
Old October 11th 09, 06:27 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web
Lem[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,218
Default domain vs workgroup

tuuf wrote:
4 computer LAN with all computers running xp. Currently they are networked
via a workgroup. What advantages would I get from joining a domain? Would I
then need windows server OR enable one of the computers with ICS?


In addition to the good info from GTS, ICS is a *very* poor substitute
for a router.

--
Lem

Apollo 11 - 40 years ago:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ap...0th/index.html
  #5  
Old October 11th 09, 06:27 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web
Lem[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,218
Default domain vs workgroup

tuuf wrote:
4 computer LAN with all computers running xp. Currently they are networked
via a workgroup. What advantages would I get from joining a domain? Would I
then need windows server OR enable one of the computers with ICS?


In addition to the good info from GTS, ICS is a *very* poor substitute
for a router.

--
Lem

Apollo 11 - 40 years ago:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ap...0th/index.html
  #6  
Old October 11th 09, 08:52 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web
tuuf
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 50
Default domain vs workgroup

The 4 computers on my LAN run winxp home. I already have win2k server
software and could use it if I decide it would be beneficial. My main
concerns are for the network to consistently work and security. Currently
the network works under a workgroup, I can reliably access shared folders on
other computers but I frequently have issues with a network printer. I've
tried 2 different print servers and still have spotty reliability. I
frequently have to reset the print server. If I worked under a domain with
win2k server would this problem potentially go away? Or should I just leave
the system that I have and run a simple "always on" dummy computer connected
to a printer and network its resource?

"GTS" wrote:

You would need a server. Unless your network is expected to grow or you
have particular needs it might not be worth the investment. Note also that
home versions of Windows cannot function as domain members so there's a
question as to what versions of windows you're running.

A server and domain setup offers enhanced security, an ability to manage
windows updates, set group policy, etc. Is this a home or business LAN?
For a typical home situation of sharing some files and printers a server
would be overkill.
--

"tuuf" wrote in message
...
4 computer LAN with all computers running xp. Currently they are networked
via a workgroup. What advantages would I get from joining a domain?
Would I
then need windows server OR enable one of the computers with ICS?



  #7  
Old October 11th 09, 08:52 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web
tuuf
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 50
Default domain vs workgroup


The 4 computers on my LAN run winxp home. I already have win2k server
software and could use it if I decide it would be beneficial. My main
concerns are for the network to consistently work and security. Currently
the network works under a workgroup, I can reliably access shared folders on
other computers but I frequently have issues with a network printer. I've
tried 2 different print servers and still have spotty reliability. I
frequently have to reset the print server. If I worked under a domain with
win2k server would this problem potentially go away? Or should I just leave
the system that I have and run a simple "always on" dummy computer connected
to a printer and network its resource?

"GTS" wrote:

You would need a server. Unless your network is expected to grow or you
have particular needs it might not be worth the investment. Note also that
home versions of Windows cannot function as domain members so there's a
question as to what versions of windows you're running.

A server and domain setup offers enhanced security, an ability to manage
windows updates, set group policy, etc. Is this a home or business LAN?
For a typical home situation of sharing some files and printers a server
would be overkill.
--

"tuuf" wrote in message
...
4 computer LAN with all computers running xp. Currently they are networked
via a workgroup. What advantages would I get from joining a domain?
Would I
then need windows server OR enable one of the computers with ICS?



  #8  
Old October 12th 09, 04:03 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web
GTS[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 116
Default domain vs workgroup

The 4 XP Home computers would not be able to log into a domain and
function as domain members. Home versions can access shares on a domain
server, but I don't see any benefit to you in this since you say current
file sharing works for you.

Nor would this affect the printer issues you're having. In general, an
Ethernet connected printer is preferable to sharing though an always on
computer. Are these print servers wired or wireless? What models exactly?
What model printer? Did you assign a static IP (outside the DHCP range of
your router) to the printer ? I prefer to do so for network printers.

There are relatively inexpensive printers with built in Ethernet support
available these days. You might consider that rather than using an older
printer and external print server.
--

"tuuf" wrote in message
...
The 4 computers on my LAN run winxp home. I already have win2k server
software and could use it if I decide it would be beneficial. My main
concerns are for the network to consistently work and security. Currently
the network works under a workgroup, I can reliably access shared folders
on
other computers but I frequently have issues with a network printer.
I've
tried 2 different print servers and still have spotty reliability. I
frequently have to reset the print server. If I worked under a domain
with
win2k server would this problem potentially go away? Or should I just
leave
the system that I have and run a simple "always on" dummy computer
connected
to a printer and network its resource?

"GTS" wrote:

You would need a server. Unless your network is expected to grow or
you
have particular needs it might not be worth the investment. Note also
that
home versions of Windows cannot function as domain members so there's a
question as to what versions of windows you're running.

A server and domain setup offers enhanced security, an ability to
manage
windows updates, set group policy, etc. Is this a home or business LAN?
For a typical home situation of sharing some files and printers a server
would be overkill.
--

"tuuf" wrote in message
...
4 computer LAN with all computers running xp. Currently they are
networked
via a workgroup. What advantages would I get from joining a domain?
Would I
then need windows server OR enable one of the computers with ICS?




  #9  
Old October 12th 09, 04:03 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web
GTS[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 116
Default domain vs workgroup

The 4 XP Home computers would not be able to log into a domain and
function as domain members. Home versions can access shares on a domain
server, but I don't see any benefit to you in this since you say current
file sharing works for you.

Nor would this affect the printer issues you're having. In general, an
Ethernet connected printer is preferable to sharing though an always on
computer. Are these print servers wired or wireless? What models exactly?
What model printer? Did you assign a static IP (outside the DHCP range of
your router) to the printer ? I prefer to do so for network printers.

There are relatively inexpensive printers with built in Ethernet support
available these days. You might consider that rather than using an older
printer and external print server.
--

"tuuf" wrote in message
...
The 4 computers on my LAN run winxp home. I already have win2k server
software and could use it if I decide it would be beneficial. My main
concerns are for the network to consistently work and security. Currently
the network works under a workgroup, I can reliably access shared folders
on
other computers but I frequently have issues with a network printer.
I've
tried 2 different print servers and still have spotty reliability. I
frequently have to reset the print server. If I worked under a domain
with
win2k server would this problem potentially go away? Or should I just
leave
the system that I have and run a simple "always on" dummy computer
connected
to a printer and network its resource?

"GTS" wrote:

You would need a server. Unless your network is expected to grow or
you
have particular needs it might not be worth the investment. Note also
that
home versions of Windows cannot function as domain members so there's a
question as to what versions of windows you're running.

A server and domain setup offers enhanced security, an ability to
manage
windows updates, set group policy, etc. Is this a home or business LAN?
For a typical home situation of sharing some files and printers a server
would be overkill.
--

"tuuf" wrote in message
...
4 computer LAN with all computers running xp. Currently they are
networked
via a workgroup. What advantages would I get from joining a domain?
Would I
then need windows server OR enable one of the computers with ICS?




  #10  
Old October 13th 09, 01:21 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web
Jack [MVP-Networking]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 552
Default domain vs workgroup

Hi
Unless you have a very specific need there is No advantage of using Domain
topology with 4 computers.
As Lem posted even if you use a Domain topology you can still use a Router.
It a matter of setting the DHCP, Gateway, and DNS in the way that allow
resolution to the Internet via the Router.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking).

"tuuf" wrote in message
...
4 computer LAN with all computers running xp. Currently they are networked
via a workgroup. What advantages would I get from joining a domain?
Would I
then need windows server OR enable one of the computers with ICS?


  #11  
Old October 13th 09, 01:21 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web
Jack [MVP-Networking]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 552
Default domain vs workgroup

Hi
Unless you have a very specific need there is No advantage of using Domain
topology with 4 computers.
As Lem posted even if you use a Domain topology you can still use a Router.
It a matter of setting the DHCP, Gateway, and DNS in the way that allow
resolution to the Internet via the Router.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking).

"tuuf" wrote in message
...
4 computer LAN with all computers running xp. Currently they are networked
via a workgroup. What advantages would I get from joining a domain?
Would I
then need windows server OR enable one of the computers with ICS?


 




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