Workgroups

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

I have approximately 70 computers (Win2k and XP Pro) computers and I would
like to setup the minimum number of Workgroups necessary to accommodate
them. Can someone tell me the maximum number of computers you can reasonably
have for a workgroup setup and what the limitations might be. Are there any
issues with XP and Win2k coexisting in the workgroup?



Will all the workgroups be able to share the same router to access the
internet?



Our existing Server will be decommissioned soon and I attempting to see if
we can survive without one.



You thoughts and comments would be much appreciated. Thank you.





Simon

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

In article <umKFvnlqFHA.332@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl>, "Simon Lew"
<blsmht@yahoo.com> wrote:
>I have approximately 70 computers (Win2k and XP Pro) computers and I would
>like to setup the minimum number of Workgroups necessary to accommodate
>them. Can someone tell me the maximum number of computers you can reasonably
>have for a workgroup setup and what the limitations might be. Are there any
>issues with XP and Win2k coexisting in the workgroup?
>
>Will all the workgroups be able to share the same router to access the
>internet?
>
>Our existing Server will be decommissioned soon and I attempting to see if
>we can survive without one.
>
>You thoughts and comments would be much appreciated. Thank you.
>
>Simon

There are no issues with XP and Win2k coexisting in a workgroup. All
versions of Windows can network with each other in a workgroup.

Workgroups have no effect on Internet access. All of the computers
will be able to use the router to access the Internet, regardless of
how you set up the workgroups.

The main effect of setting up workgroups is to determine which
computers appear in the opening screen (Network Neighborhood in
Windows 95/98/Me, My Network Places in Win2k) when you browse the
network -- only computers in the same workgroup appear in the opening
screen. You can see the other workgroups and computers by browsing
deeper into the network. Workgroups have no effect on the opening
screen of My Network Places in Windows XP, which (by default) shows
shared folders on all computers in all workgroups.

I haven't done any tests, but I've heard recommendations of a maximum
of 10-20 computers in a workgroup for best results when browsing.

BTW, workgroups don't provide any type of security or access control.
A computer in any workgroup can access a computer in any workgroup.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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