DC or Member Server

I am planning a client/ server network from the ground up and I am not sure
weather the server should be a DC or a standalone server (member server).
Scenerio:
1) Small office with 4 WS's running MS Windows XP Pro.
2) 1 server running MS Windows Server 2003 Small Business Standard
3) Needs VPN access
4) Would like to use AD, DHCP/ DNS
5) Server needs to be a file server also

Do I need to create a domain and use dcpromo to create the domain controller?
Any other recommendations?

Thanks,
JMW

It could go either way for that small of a network. An AD domain does give
the advantage of centralized user management and policy such as Group Policy
and security policy. AD is not that hard to install and yes you must use
dcpromo to promote a server to a domain controller. As far as using a VPN,
the server can handle that but proper configuration will be needed to make
sure that the users are able to browse the network via My Network Places
properly. Making a server a VPN/remote access server means that it will be
"multi homed" with more than one network adapter [one may be virtual] and
can cause conflicts with proper network operation. Normally it is not
recommended to make a domain controller also a VPN server but in the case of
SBS I am sure many do successfully with proper configuration.

Just keep in mind that proper dns configuration for domain controllers and
domain members is a must for an AD domain to work correctly and the link
below explains exactly how to do such. I also recommend that you post in one
of the SBS newsgroups and also ask for recommendations on a good SBS book to
help you understand the basics of AD domain and how to configure SBS for
your network. I also find the user reviews at Amazon very helpful in
choosing books to use. Be sure to use a firewall appliance for the network
which can be purchased for as little as $100 [ Netgear ProSafe ] for a
firewall NAT router to share internet connection and act as a firewall ---
Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default...en-us%3B291382

"jmwhite" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:87D98DDD-AFD5-4B67-A7B7-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am planning a client/ server network from the ground up and I am not sure
> weather the server should be a DC or a standalone server (member server).
> Scenerio:
> 1) Small office with 4 WS's running MS Windows XP Pro.
> 2) 1 server running MS Windows Server 2003 Small Business Standard
> 3) Needs VPN access
> 4) Would like to use AD, DHCP/ DNS
> 5) Server needs to be a file server also
>
> Do I need to create a domain and use dcpromo to create the domain
> controller?
> Any other recommendations?
>
> Thanks,
> JMW
>

SBS cannot be anything but domain controller only. SBS as member server will
shut down itself in 14 days.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...eneralfaq.mspx
General Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Small Business Server 2003