domain or workgroup?

[kermalou]

ok, in my office I have 14 XP workstations and three Windows 2003 Server.

For the past 10 years I have been "maintaining" the network, that means fixing something if it goes broke. I am sick and tired of it and thinking of making management easier by migrating to a doman instead of the workgroup, what do you guys think?

pros and cons?

 

[kt]

Since you already have Server 2003 and XP workstations, the only cons I can think of is the required skills to maintain a domain due to its complexity.

 

[nweaver]

A domain makes management eaiser...if you understand how to.

I would say to fire up Virtual machines and learn a few things, then roll one of those 2k3 servers into a dc

 

[kermalou]

I brought someone by and he said to make 2 of the 3 servers domain controllers. Is that a good idea?

 

[skyking]

that would be a fine way to go, but there was one little detail: Everyone is assuming you have xp pro workstations, is this true?

 

[Kwaipie]

How are you at DHCP, DNS, WINS, Active Directory Sites and Services? What is your understanding of FSMO role holders?

 

[RebateMonger]

Consider hiring a Certified IT consultant to walk you through an upgrade of your Windows network and showing you how to properly maintain it. That way, you'll get it structured correctly, you'll get it done quickly, and it'll save you a lot of time (money). Plus, you'll have somebody who understands your network available to help in an emergency.

A new client of mine is a Doctor's office. So far, I"ve found that they have an improperly-implemented Domain naming structure, with a single-label Domain Name, have a super-easy-to-guess Domain Administrator password, 70% of their backups for the past two years have been failing (and they didn't know it), and their Server hasn't been updated in over a year. Their DNS implementation is completely messed up, so they HAVE no internal DNS, even though the DNS Service was installed. Plus, they are storing their only backups in a "fireproof" safe on-site that would never protect their tapes in a fire. It never hurts to have an experienced person review your security and backup status.

If you want, you can learn to manage this stuff on your own, but DON'T practice on your office network, and don't do your first Domain implementation on your office network!

 

[ktwebb]

"Consider hiring a Certified IT consultant "

Though I would add not to consider, rather to do it.