shootinyou: Depending upon the scheduling/managment software you install for the workstations, you could use Win2K Pro as a sort of "poor mans" server. I've done this a few times in one situation or another. You must look closely at whether or not the specialized software you require is networkable for multiaccess on Win2K Pro. Some are, some are not.
For example, at my brother's glass business in FL, we installed Quick Books Pro over 5 years ago on a Win95 box acting as the "server". They are still using the same setup (an old P90 as the server) as I write this and have three or four workstations running either Win 95, 98 and even XP accessing the Quick Books program simultaneously. The Quick Books program proved to be the cornerstone of the configuration as two reps enter tickets while the bookkeeper consolidates the books - all at the same time.
Fast forward to 2002 where my wife works, they wanted a server and three workstations. I went in and explained their options of using Win2KPro vs Win2K Server. Since the business is a towing business and they use Towmark (network version) for entering tickets, managing calls, accounts, etc; Win2K Pro was basically all they needed. Their clients are two WinXP Home boxes and one Win98 box. Again, the specialized software, in this case Towmark, for their particular industry was the key.
You can do a lot with Win2K Pro as a file server/print server in a small environment. By small, I mean less than 10 clients. I also setup MS Access 2000 on a box at work for simultaneous access by a small number of users. Was more or less forced to do that because 1.) the Access database had grown so large and 2.) the T-1 which accessed the database when it was located in another part of town just couldn't keep up with the demand. The Access database was becoming constantly corrupted and had to be restored from backup.
There are limitations of using Win2K Pro in such a role and you lose many of the advantages Win2K Server offers - Active directory, security, administration, etc. You would indeed be on a peer-to-peer network. Actually, in a small environment, there is nothing really wrong with that if your workstations are tight and the users entering data aren't careless. Implement some basic security measures. You could set up the Win2K Pro box for ICS with a dialup modem and the other clients could get out to the big internet cloud using that particular configuration.
Finally, the most important thing to remember is daily backup of data. Convince yourself that lightning strikes, power surges, blown hard drives, etc. are gonna happen regardless and be prepared for it.
