Benefit of using Windows 2000 server.

[ozmoeugene]

In a small environment, 2-3 computers, is there a benifit of using Windows 2000 server or just set up security on all three computers and leaving it at that.

I set up windows 2000 server in an environment with 3 computers and was asked this question. My answers where:

1.) Scaleability "as they grow they can add more computers and centrialize security"
2.) Tighter Security "Is this true"

Can anyone give me any other reasons?

The client said they wanted any access to the internet to come through the server only.

Is this possible?

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[wdoellefeld]

Adding a user is cake compaired to running around or connecting to all the PCs.

Concurrent connections. If I remember right 2000 pro is limited to 10?

Internet access through the server using RRAS will be much more efficient instead of using ICS. (I would still tell them to buy at least a cheapie router though)

The other two points you gave are valid.

FRCP

http://www.frcp.net

 

[enbw]

Hi,

Central Control over;

1) Backup
2) Anti-virus
3) Sofware Updates
4) Data

 

[dkediger]

I see the practical limit to the "Workgroup" setup as being about 4-5 machines - beyond that the user/security managment becomes geometrically complicated, and the setup tends to migrate towards a semi-dedicated psuedo server anyway.

Microsoft's Small Business Server includes 5 licenses in the software purchase - and the Standard Version is only $600 MSRP. You can actually get it for less preinstalled on a machine from Dell, etc.

So, for maybe 33% more than the price of a machine and WinXP, you can acquire a server with Win2003 and Exchange for central email.