P2P v Server 2003

I will be installing a network of around 10 users and would like to
know what issues I need to be aware of should I opt for a full server
setup(Server2003) or stay with a standard XP box acting as a P2P file
server.

As the requirement is essentially for simple file sharing I would
normally go for the latter option except that the user count is at the
limit so I may need to go for the full server

As I am not familiar with 2003 server at all and would like some
guidance on what I would need to think about eg config options etc and
what apart form the user count would be the advantages bearing in mind
the main requirement for simple file sharing

Many thanks

Mike

"Mike Saunders" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:OIplAx$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I will be installing a network of around 10 users and would like to
> know what issues I need to be aware of should I opt for a full server
> setup(Server2003) or stay with a standard XP box acting as a P2P file
> server.
>
> As the requirement is essentially for simple file sharing I would
> normally go for the latter option except that the user count is at the
> limit so I may need to go for the full server
>
> As I am not familiar with 2003 server at all and would like some
> guidance on what I would need to think about eg config options etc and
> what apart form the user count would be the advantages bearing in mind
> the main requirement for simple file sharing
>

With ten users you are reaching the saturation point of not just connections
but management. I recommend you look seriously at Server 2003 and Active
Directory or Linux and LDAP or something similar. In a secure network
environment you need to use strong passwords and change them at least once
in a while. With the workgroup model (P2P) you would need to manually change
the password on each client computer as well as making sure the same account
with the same password exists on the "server" This is just one of many
management issues you will run into. Setting up a proper server takes longer
initially and you may need help. Once it's setup it will take far less time
to manage your network. Google is your friend. Search on Active Directory,
LDAP, network management, etc..

Kerry

Workgroup network limits to 10 connections. I would install windows 2003 domain network.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"Mike Saunders" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:OIplAx$(E-Mail Removed)...
I will be installing a network of around 10 users and would like to
know what issues I need to be aware of should I opt for a full server
setup(Server2003) or stay with a standard XP box acting as a P2P file
server.

As the requirement is essentially for simple file sharing I would
normally go for the latter option except that the user count is at the
limit so I may need to go for the full server

As I am not familiar with 2003 server at all and would like some
guidance on what I would need to think about eg config options etc and
what apart form the user count would be the advantages bearing in mind
the main requirement for simple file sharing

Many thanks

Mike