Any difference between Win2K Professional and Win2K Server?

[Fun Guy]

Reason I am asking is, I will have three machines in the house when I am done building my multimedia/video editing box. This machine will be turned on only when I need it, but I need it to be "heavy-duty" with regards to memory management, dual processor capability, optimized, etc. My main machine will be on 24/7 and will only have one processor (XP 1900+, yeah baby). The third one will have something lesser, though I don't know what yet.

Okay, so, do I need Win2K Server on the dual-processor machine, or will Professional run it just as good as Server? If it will, then I think I will load Professional on the video editing box and put the Server OS on my main machine.

 

[Hullboy]

W2K Pro supports up to 2 processors. If you want more server does up to 4.

I would imagine Pro would handle memory as well, as it is built around the NT kernel, so it's not like we are talking Win98 versus NT 4.0 here..........

However, if you are talking very heavy then I believe w2k server has higher threshold capabilities for dealing with memory usage etc, but I wouldn't think you will be needing that unless you expand to employ a lot of people!

Others may well have more detail on this last point to add.

 

[wlee]

Win2K WorkStation will be better for you. Both have basically the same kernal, but Server loads MANY more services by default that you don't need. Also, by default, Server has its registry adjusted so that resources are prioritized for file and print sharing, and disk cache. Workstation prioritizes for foreground ( user ) tasks. Win2K Server would only benefit you *IF* you planned to also stream/webcast your videos from the same box.

 

[Fun Guy]

Thanks guys, this is very helpful.

I welcome more comments from those with knowledge and experience.

 

[igiveup]

Well, if you are using one of them for network storage and you have both OS' already then I would say it would be nice to install Server. Server comes with WINS (Windows Internet Name Server, Microsofts version of DNS). WINS has been replaced by DNS, but it really is brain dead simple to set up. What WINS does is search your network for computers (every 10 minutes or so) and stores the name and IP of each computer in its cache. When you set up a workstation on your network you just plug in the IP for the WINS server in the appropriate TCP/IP setting and then reboot. When it comes back up it will have the WINS list from the server and your browsing in network neighborhood will be lightning quick. Network Neighborhood can be a pain.

Windows 2000 server also comes with a streaming media server so you can use it to stream audio or video over your network if you want. Basically there are a lot of cool little things that you get with Windows 2000 Server that you can't get with WIndows 2000 Pro. If you don't want this stuff then fine. Pro will run things faster, but not by much. If you decide to go with pro you are stuck with your current setup, unless you format and reinstall. IF you go with server, you just install the additional component in the windows section of add and remove software.