Server on a domain cant see workgroup devices on the same network

[jozeftierney]

Recently set up a server running windows 2016 essentials for our small business, during setup it asked for company name and I put it in not knowing it would set that as the domain.

After starting the proper services and enabling network sharing so other devices could see it (can even rdc into it from other computers) it still can't see the other computers on the network.

The other computers are all in work group, not on the domain, is this the problem?

I also tried taking the server off the domain but it says "the identification of this computer cannot be changed because: the Certification Authority Service is installed on this computer". Is it safe to disable this server role to leave the domain?

 

[ss202sl]

What local(domain) DNS are you using? Are your workstations in that DNS?

 

[jozeftierney]

What local(domain) DNS are you using? Are your workstations in that DNS?

It's on *Company name*.local

The other computers are not on any domain, just in a workgroup called WORKGROUP

They can all see and connect with the server though, if that means anything

 

[ss202sl]

Why woouldn't you wan them on the domain

 

[jsmithepa]

Well, the little I know is, u want a MS domain to restrict and manage users membership. Can u do domain and workgroup at the same time? Dunno. I wish I was a Certified MS Engineer.

 

[ss202sl]

back to my original question. Are your workgroup machines in your .local DNS

If you aren't using certificates, then why do you need a certificate server