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Difference Between Domain and Workgroup

A workgroup does not have dedicated servers to manage users and shares, while a domain has domain controllers to centrally manage users, passwords, shares, and security policies using Active Directory. The main advantages of a workgroup are low cost and ease of setup, while the advantages of a domain include centralized management, scalability, and stronger security. A domain requires more complex setup and maintenance compared to a workgroup.

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Mukesh Tayade
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125 views

Difference Between Domain and Workgroup

A workgroup does not have dedicated servers to manage users and shares, while a domain has domain controllers to centrally manage users, passwords, shares, and security policies using Active Directory. The main advantages of a workgroup are low cost and ease of setup, while the advantages of a domain include centralized management, scalability, and stronger security. A domain requires more complex setup and maintenance compared to a workgroup.

Uploaded by

Mukesh Tayade
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Difference between Domain and workgroup

What is Workgroup

A Workgroup has not dedicated server's to track users and such, it's all done vi
a each client machine on the LAN, and this includes shared objects and user logo
ns. Advantage, cheaper to run and maintain as you only need two machines running
in the same workgroup to be called a workgroup.
What is Domain

A Domain is a specific NAME given to a LAN that includes one or more Domain Cont
rollers (Servers). The advantage is that you have a dedicated server to log/trac
k all users and shares via Active Directory and you can also use this server for
other things such as a SQL server and/or SBS etc... The disadvantage to this is
the cost and maintenance required to keep this configuration running.
Advantages of workgroup

Useful for small networks (10 or less computers) Very easy to setup No additiona
l knowledge required No server required.
Disadvantages of workgroup

Need to setup account and password on each and every machine. Passwords can beco
me out of sync, if changed on one computer and not others. No easily scalable. I
f using more than 10 computers, the number of accounts to set up increases a lot
more. More time required to setup for new users! If using file sharing, you may
reach the 10 max simultaneous connections limit.
Advantages of Domain

One location for all user accounts, groups and computers. Passwords are same for
all computers. Easier and quicker to maintain. Scales easier if you add more us
ers and computers. Very high Security in sharing and personal settings
Disadvantages of Domain

Requires a windows server. Complex to set up.


WORKGROUP-BASED NETWORKS

WORKGROUP-BASED NETWORKS are a more simplified approach to server-based networki


ng, which are often much faster to setup for the average user in the short-term,
but may require more time for administrative tasks in the long-run. Workgroup N
etworks consist of any logical collection of Workstations and Workgroup Servers.
Any computer on the network can join an existing workgroup as long the workgrou
p naming convention is maintained for each member throughout the workgroup. Any
workgroup member may access Workgroup Server resources so long as the user suppl
ies authenticated credentials for server login. Although not performed through A
ctive Directory, Workgroup Servers contain a standard set of centralized managem
ent tools for the administration of security policies which individual, or group
s of users may require in order to gain authenticated login access to resources
located on the Workgroup Server itself. Any Workgroup Server with Windows 2000 S
erver installed, can be promoted to take on the role of a Domain Controller if a
network administrator changes the network model from a Workgroup to a Domainbas
ed topology.
DOMAIN-BASED NETWORKS

DOMAIN-BASED NETWORKS are vastly more complex to setup for the average user in t
he short-term, partly due to the more highly technicalnature inherent to server
role promotion, but may ultimately save in administrative time over the long-run
if the users manage to learn how to make more effective use of Active Directory’s
robust management features. Domain Networks can be created and managed by promo
ting any Workgroup Server to the role of a Domain Controller or Primary Domain C
ontroller (PDC). Servers designated as Primary Domain Controllers contain a more
thorough and complex set of security and administrative properties which the si
mplified Workgroup Server does not have. Each Domain must have at least one desi
gnated PDC Server within its Forest for centralized user account management thro
ugh the AD. Domains share a hierarchal directory of databases, security policies
, and common security relationships with other sub-Domains. A PDC provides acces
s to a centralized user account and workgroup account policy as maintained by th
e Domain Administrator predominantly from the AD Server itself. Because Domains
use a hierarchy of parent-child relationships within a Domain Forest, AD Domains
are generally recommended and most effectively used by larger organizations whe
re collaborative computing between numerous workgroups must span multiple depart
mental servers with common sets of relational security policies in place.
Prepaid by Kashif Waheed ASSIS HR & MR Varioline intercool Pakistan (PVT) Limite
d

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