Joining A Win NT 4 Server Domain

[Don79]

Hi Guys,

I have a question. In articles I have read on the internet, they always say to first join a Win NT 4.0 machine to a workgroup(having the same name of the Domain you would like to join later), and then joining the machine to the Domain. Is this method correct? I have been doing this for the past 6 machines, and have experienced NIC problems, such as intermittant connections to the network. I'm not sure if the NIC problem is related to how I am joining the computer to the domain. Every new machine I have had from Compaq has had the same NIC problem. Any ideas? Can't I just join the Domain without first joining it to a workgroup? Please advise. Thanks!

 

[wolluf]

Yes you can join domain without joining workgroup first (when installing NT).

 

[djhawthorn]

Provided (at setup) you have set a correct IP address, or DHCP is set up properly and the installer picks up an IP address, there should be no reason you can't join the domain then and there.

Make sure a WINS Server is running and referenced by the client too - it will make finding a domain controller that much easier. MCSE NT4/W2K

 

[Don79]

Thanks for the info guys. I did join the Domain directly and experienced no problems whatsoever. Now I'm thinking that my previous way of first joining the computer to a workgroup then domain created some sort of conflict and led to intermittant network connections? Could this be possible?

 

[NetworkGuy101]

Joining a workstation to the domain is almost reliant upon the correct WINS settings. I doubt it was your nics. When I first started out that was my problem. IT was so obvious but not at the same time! I guess you just forget about these things sometimes.