server or not

[marty13]

Hi guys,
i am the new guy here and i hope this is in the right forum.
i am kind of confused about servers. i know what they are. i know what there function is in a domain type lan/wan. my question is i have a peer lan at home and i don't know if i would be "better" off adding a server to the lan?
If i did what would i use it for and how would i use it to make things "better"?
do i need to use special hardware or just a PC and what about software? could i use a workstation software? like win 2000 pro?
i know this is kind of a broad topic, but i thought i would like to get into "it" a little.
thanks.
marty13.

 

[marty13]

Hi Guys,
i was wondering if this "post" is in the wrong location. it looks like some folks are looking at the post, but not responding. should this post be moved???
thanks.
marty13.

 

[infornography42]

I would need more information to adequately answer.

What do you use your network for?
How many PCs do you have on it?
Would greater control over the other users on your network be beneficial?
Are you patient and eager to learn?
Are your pockets extremely deep or do you have a friend who can swing you a copy of a corporate server class OS?

You cannot set up a domain controller on a workstation OS. You would need a server OS which is very VERY expensive. It is not as easy to administer a domain as it is to administer a workgroup so you would need to be patient and eager to learn to get much out of it.

Also unless you have more than 11 PCs on your network you probably won't benefit enough from it to make it worth your while. If you DO have more than 11 PCs it will help immensely in improving reliability of network connections.

If security is a big concern to you then a domain controller would probably be a good thing to consider. Also if you are planning to pursue the certification trail it is practically a requirement to get into MCSA and MCSE.

Let me know if you have any more questions or answers to my questions that might help me provide better info.

 

[_WW_]

Hi Guys,
i was wondering if this "post" is in the wrong location. it looks like some folks are looking at the post, but not responding. should this post be moved???
thanks.
marty13.

Historically this forum has been used for ranting about inferior products you have purchased so that others may be warned.