Belonging to a Workgroup and Domain at the same time

[dufresnem]

Problem:

Win2K Pro machine belongs to NT Server 4.0 Domain(This can never change). Application that needs to be accessed resides on a Workgroup. Application will ONLY function if that machine belongs to the workgroup where the app resides.

How can I have the machine in question, belong to a workgroup and Domain at the same time?

 

[wolluf]

You can't - but if both domain & workgroup are on the same physical network, the workgroup should be visible to a PC belonging to the domain. If that's not good enough, you'll have to join workgroup when you want to run this app and then rejoin domain for other work.

PS. Quite odd for an app to insist on workgroup membership to run - do you know how it determines this/can it be fooled?

 

[pbxman]

Sounds to me like a network drivemapping ssue.
Why any app would have problems in workgroup vs. domain membership can only have to do with it's shared (networked) resources. The app doesn't run locally disconnected from ALL network access does it?

In any case - i think the domain pass-through authentication is whats causing it. Basically - the workgroup is accessing data on a share elsewhere on the network and when you switch to a domain, it's permissions will change is share-level vs. NTFS permissions are different for example.

Mdufresn,
If you could provide a little more details on what network resources the program needs, and how you run it in the workgroup - that would help diagnosis a lot.
Of course - i could be completely wrong in guessing that - so pull the NIC cable, and try to run the program after you join the workgroup as well. Im thinking this is a UNC/Browsing issue vs. mapped drive with a logical drive letter assignment to a hidden share-type-thing.

pbxman
Systems Administrator

Please let Tek-Tips members know their posts were helpful.

 

[dufresnem]

I have to speak to the developers on this one.
There is a license key(USB Key)associated with the application that resides on the peer server. The program starts to load fine, but loses the USB Key(license key) in transit somehow when it crosses from Workgroup to Domain. For some strange reason it can't find the license key if the workstation is part of a domain.

If the workstation is part of the workgroup, license key(USB Key), is found and the program runs.

I find this bizarre!!!

 

[Tegath]

One option that you have is to dual boot your Windows 2000 box to be a part of the domain on one and part of the workgroup on the other. I have found this to be useful for machines that must be on different networks(domain/workgroup) at different times.