Domain or Peer to Peer?

Hi, Im studying for network + and was wondering what is the advantage of
logging into a domain over a peer to peer network. I tried using 2003 server
to share files and it worked just fine. Thanks Rick

In a workgroup / p2p network, every computer has the same importance as
every other computer on the network. It is recomended for networks of less
than 8 computers. You can share files and folders, as well as printers and
other resources.
The problem with these networks is that you cannot use a logon system. Why?
Because you will run into file permission problems when sharing these
resources. Everyone on the network must log into windows with the same
username and password.
If you were to use a logon system in a workgroup, a username and password
would have to be set up on each computer. When a person moves to another
computer their settings such as themes or mapped network drives do not
follow them. Their profile / environment has to be re-setup for each
computer.


When you are using a network with an active directory / domain server, there
is one main server (always on) and a number of workstations. There can be
other servers to create a tree network however that is more advanced. The
most you will benefit from using a domain is the central username and
password database which is held on the server. When a person logs on to a
workstation, the username and password is checked with the server and not
that individual workstation's database. Along with that password check can
be a permissions check. This is a set of rules that the user must comply
with eg. the user Mat cannot access the printer in reception, however the
user Chris can. This also applies with what files the user may access and
what programs.
Another of the great features of using a central server is the fact you can
use a feature called Roaming Profiles. When you log on to a workstation, the
profile information such as your documents, mapped drives, themes, desktop
shortcuts are downloaded from the server. When you log off, the profile is
saved back to the server.

I can have a company network with a travelling user who logs on in London
and have his or her files there on the desktop, then have them log in from
New York with the exact same desktop environment. All of this of course is
managed from a domain server in Wellington. It is much easier to work on a
domain with a central server than on a workgroup without one.


Hope this helps, sorry if I have mumbled a bit,


Ray Taylor
(E-Mail Removed)





"Richard Chyzy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:VYKdncOcnOdkyhHdRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi, Im studying for network + and was wondering what is the advantage of
> logging into a domain over a peer to peer network. I tried using 2003
server
> to share files and it worked just fine. Thanks Rick
>
>

Thanks ray
"Ray Taylor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:#(E-Mail Removed)...
> In a workgroup / p2p network, every computer has the same importance as
> every other computer on the network. It is recomended for networks of less
> than 8 computers. You can share files and folders, as well as printers and
> other resources.
> The problem with these networks is that you cannot use a logon system.
Why?
> Because you will run into file permission problems when sharing these
> resources. Everyone on the network must log into windows with the same
> username and password.
> If you were to use a logon system in a workgroup, a username and password
> would have to be set up on each computer. When a person moves to another
> computer their settings such as themes or mapped network drives do not
> follow them. Their profile / environment has to be re-setup for each
> computer.
>
>
> When you are using a network with an active directory / domain server,
there
> is one main server (always on) and a number of workstations. There can be
> other servers to create a tree network however that is more advanced. The
> most you will benefit from using a domain is the central username and
> password database which is held on the server. When a person logs on to a
> workstation, the username and password is checked with the server and not
> that individual workstation's database. Along with that password check can
> be a permissions check. This is a set of rules that the user must comply
> with eg. the user Mat cannot access the printer in reception, however the
> user Chris can. This also applies with what files the user may access and
> what programs.
> Another of the great features of using a central server is the fact you
can
> use a feature called Roaming Profiles. When you log on to a workstation,
the
> profile information such as your documents, mapped drives, themes, desktop
> shortcuts are downloaded from the server. When you log off, the profile is
> saved back to the server.
>
> I can have a company network with a travelling user who logs on in London
> and have his or her files there on the desktop, then have them log in from
> New York with the exact same desktop environment. All of this of course is
> managed from a domain server in Wellington. It is much easier to work on a
> domain with a central server than on a workgroup without one.
>
>
> Hope this helps, sorry if I have mumbled a bit,
>
>
> Ray Taylor
> (E-Mail Removed)
>
>
>
>
>
> "Richard Chyzy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:VYKdncOcnOdkyhHdRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Hi, Im studying for network + and was wondering what is the advantage of
> > logging into a domain over a peer to peer network. I tried using 2003
> server
> > to share files and it worked just fine. Thanks Rick
> >
> >
>
>