What is a Workgroup?

[Scrapster]

Lets say I'm networking a bunch of computers, does the workgroup need to be the same for all of them?

Also, does the workgroup have any relation to the domain?

BTW, this is regarding WIN2K.

 

[Hoober]

A domain is a form of advanced workgroup. You usually have to log on to a domain that sits on a server that controls a network. A workgroup is a bunch of computers networked together that share the same workgroup name so that they can recognize each other when you want to get to network resources and things like that... printers, storage, files.

 

[Scrapster]

So for a local network the workgroup name should be the same then?

 

[Hoober]

It depends if you're running a server on the network or not. If you are, I'd use a domain to validate users logging on. If you don't need that, then just use the workgroup option and don't worry about setting up a domain. A domain will take the place of a workgroup... you won't have both. Just one or the other.

 

[Scrapster]

A domain will take the place of a workgroup... you won't have both. Just one or the other.

Gotcha! That's what I was wondering. Didn't think a workgroup served any purpose if you were going to use a domain.

 

[Hoober]

Yep, you don't need a workgroup if you have a domain.