Are there Cons to running a Windows Network Domain?

[vfear]

I run win2k adv server on a machine. This machine is a very low traffic web server and is used as a small file server between 3 machines. If I setup a windows domain .. will that suck more resources of the server?? please tell me the pros and cons of running a domain. Thanks

 

[ensorg]

In you case, with only 3 machines, a workgroup is fine. If your network starts to grow I would move to a domain, it will be a lot easier to maintain.

Why are you using W2k Advanced Server? Would W2k Server not be better (and cheaper) for your needs? (Just me being nosy )


Gareth

 

[vfear]

adv server was a present... I want to setup a domain becuase I need the expirence of setting one up and maintaining.. So what are the pros and cons.. Thanks

 

[daren33]

With that small of a network you aren't really going to see the pros or cons of setting up a domain. Some of the pros are, local administration, groups, security, etc. Some of the cons, it will slow down a network a little bit but not really noticeably, another thing to go wrong.

 

[ensorg]

Well I would say you could list the pro's and con's, workgroups are only meant for a few PC's while domains can have unlimited so it’s not really fair, in my opinion, to compare the two.
By all means set up a domain, with just a few users there won't be that much of a drain on recourses.

The only problem is, if you have installed your server as a stand-alone or "member server" then you will need to reinstall it to convert it to a Domain Controller

 

[vfear]

if I setup a domain and I think its too slow can I uninstall the domain controller and if so .. how ??

 

[FilthPig]

You run DCPROMO to turn your member server into a domain controller, you run it again to change it back to a member server. It's all wizard-driven. Unlike NT 4, you don't have to re-install to do this. Marc Creviere

 

[DavidJA]

One con: If you are running a domain with only one domain controller and that domain controller goes down, your users might not be able to log onto their workstations as domain users, and therefor will not be able to access the files stored under their domain profile.