If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
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? |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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? |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|