Small Windows 2000 network setup

[Fern]

We are going to be ordering 10 desktop PCs loaded with XP Professional and
we have an older PC that will act as a file/print server running Windows
2000 Server. The PCs and the server will be connected using a single
wireless router.

Now, I'm guessing that all PCs and the server must share the same workgroup
named WORKGROUP. I am also guessing that on the server, I must create user
accounts for each PC and set the password as "password".

1) Is there a way to configure so that the user is able to change the PC
password and have it syncronize with the user account password on the
server?

2) Is the 'workgroup' approach suitable for a small office like this or are
domains and such necessary for this single server office?

3) The router will be connected to a broadband internet connection which
means that each PC and the server will have the ability to connect to the
internet. The server will not be used for accessing the internet other than
for obtaining OS and other software updates and the server will always be
locked. Is this acceptable?

Thank you.

 

[Guest]

This may or may not help you as far as your workgroup:

http://web.mit.edu/ist/topics/windows/server/workgroup/

On a workgroup, each computer is seperate so users will be logging onto
their own machines. Now, if you have shared resources on the server, such as
files and printers, a Domain structure might not be such as a bad idea as you
will have central management of user accounts and passwords.

If not, you can keep a workgroup but you will have more management. One
approach to maintaining access to shared resources is creating a common guest
account that the password never expires and have users connect using this
account. Again, this depends on what's shared where.

As far as Internect connection, that's fine, but then why have a server at
all if you're just going to be updating it? I'd say if you have no need for
central sharing of resources or user accounts, might as well eliminate the
server completely. Less headache.

Hope this helps.

 

[Fern]

Nestor,

Thank you for this information.

Regards,

Fern