Windows 2003 SBS

[AndrewTait]

Can someone confirm or deny the following.

Is it possible to run Windows 2003 SBS as a workgroup server, i.e: without a domain being set up?

I need to host an application on a server for use by 3 PC's, running in a workgroup. all they need to do is access a share, and run the application, and the application will access data on the same share.

The reason I ask, is that the client PC's have been bought without consultation, and are running Win XP Home (i.e. cannot sign onto a domain.) and Management are refusing to purchase XP Pro to allow them to connect to a Domain.

So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key

 

[markdmac]

Sorry no you can not run SBS in workgroup mode.

I don't sanction this, but I had a customer that had found a hack that let them join XP Home PCs to a domain. You would be in an unsupportable state as far as MS is concerned but it is out there in the wild.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[dkediger]

As markdmac says, there are hacks that allow XP Home to join a domain, but be aware that they:

Store usernames and passwords in clear text in the registry, and

XP Home will still not be able to utilize any domain group policy, so resource mapping must be done on each workstation for each resource (hence the stored credentials).

 

[markdmac]

If the machines are new and from a reputable vendor you should be able ot get some kind of discount on the OEM upgrade.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark