Domain or workgroup? That is the question.

I have two networks (1)Server 2000 with 30 XP Pro
workstations and (2) Server 2003 with 45 XP Pro
workstations. Both are experiencing the same problem,
workstations lose their connection to the server and
printers and then cannot reconnect without restarting the
server. They are currently setup as separate workgroups
and do NOT need to be connected to each other. Do I have
to setup domains? If I do have to create domains, what is
involved (step by step please)?

if you have over 10 workstations you should setup a domain network because
the limitation of the workgroup. Step by step? that will be long pages.
basically, you need to change the workgroup to domain, join all workstation
to the domain. also you may want to install AD, DHCP and DNS.

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"TimH" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:492b01c3ff9c$11328350$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have two networks (1)Server 2000 with 30 XP Pro
> workstations and (2) Server 2003 with 45 XP Pro
> workstations. Both are experiencing the same problem,
> workstations lose their connection to the server and
> printers and then cannot reconnect without restarting the
> server. They are currently setup as separate workgroups
> and do NOT need to be connected to each other. Do I have
> to setup domains? If I do have to create domains, what is
> involved (step by step please)?

Go for the Domain.
1. Decide the domain names, which must NOT be a single label name and must
have a "." (dot period)
e.g. yourcomany.loc yourcomany.serv etc.

2. If DNS is already running on the respective server then:
Add primary zone yourcompany.loc (if this the domain name
you have chosen) and allow dynamic updates for that zone.
Then Click on start->run and type dcpromp and click on OK
there after follow the prompts.

3. If DNS is not already running on respective server then
Click on start->run and type dcpromp and click on OK
there after follow the prompts. After it asks for domain name
give the chose domain name, after that it will try to contact
DNS but won't find one and will give an error message
and will offer you options : I have correct the DNS problem
and Install DNS, chose install DNS, it will install DNS
for you nicely and complete dcpromo.

4. After DCRPOMP reboot the server, start Active Directory
Users and Computers and create usernames and password
for all the clients.

5. Join the clients to the domain: Right click on Mycomputer
and select properties, there you will find option of workgroup or
domain, chose domain and give the domain name, specify respective
username and password.

Sharad


"TimH" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:492b01c3ff9c$11328350$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have two networks (1)Server 2000 with 30 XP Pro
> workstations and (2) Server 2003 with 45 XP Pro
> workstations. Both are experiencing the same problem,
> workstations lose their connection to the server and
> printers and then cannot reconnect without restarting the
> server. They are currently setup as separate workgroups
> and do NOT need to be connected to each other. Do I have
> to setup domains? If I do have to create domains, what is
> involved (step by step please)?