Domain Server or Member Server? That is the question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike
  • Start date Start date
M

Mike

Hello All,

I need some help making a decision. My classroom has a lab of 10 computers
in which all need to get out on the internet. Do I need a patch panel?
Switch? Router? I want all of the computers to have anti-virus. We are
planning on having more then 10 computers really soon.

So because of the anti virus requirement, I'm not sure if I should run them
through a domain server and push out anti-virus updates to each one or run
them through a member server or router and have anti virus installed
individually on each one. So any suggestions would be most helpful.
Thanks!
 
I would suggest setting up as a domain now. You will need the central
management sooner rather than later. Changing from a workgroup to a domain
will "disrupt" your users.

Do it now rather than later.

Usually the cables from the jacks in each office terminate in a patch panel.
Then cables are ran from the patch panel to the switch or hub

hth
DDS W 2k MVP MCSE
 
Mike said:
Hello All,

I need some help making a decision. My classroom has a lab of 10
computers in which all need to get out on the internet. Do I need a
patch panel? Switch? Router? I want all of the computers to have
anti-virus. We are planning on having more then 10 computers really
soon.

So because of the anti virus requirement, I'm not sure if I should
run them through a domain server and push out anti-virus updates to
each one or run them through a member server or router and have anti
virus installed individually on each one. So any suggestions would be
most helpful. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I agree with Danny. Set up a domain. Much easier. You'll need Win2000Pro or
XP Pro on all your workstations in order to join them to the domain - XP
Home can't, nor can Win9x.

Use centrally managed antivirus software - Norton's corporate edition, Trend
Micro's OfficeScan, McAfee, CA, etc (I prefer Trend)....and don't give
domain users local admin rights or allow users to know the local admin
credentials on each PC. And get a good firewall in place - I like
Sonicwalls, myself, but there are many options.
 
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