We have a network setup of 20 computers in a windows domain.
– 1 Primary server (win2k server)
– 1 Backup server (win2k server)
– 13 desktop computers (10 win2k – 3 winXP)
– 5 laptops (winXP)
The primary server exists as the domain controller:
– Active Directory Server
– DNS server
– DHCP server
– Network storage
– Printer sharing
– Norton Anti-Virus Server
The backup server backs up the AD, DNS and DHCP. It also is a second storage area for a different set of files. Otherwise this computer just sits there.
The laptops aren’t necessarily logging in to the domain they just access the shared drive and printers.
. . .
We’ve been running this domain network for three years. Initially I had a friend help me set it up. So I am confessing my networking knowledge is limited. I’ve been considering purchasing a Linksys EFG250 NAS (network attached storage) device to replace the shared drives of the servers. Additionally the NAS I’m looking at has printer sharing capabilities and it can run it’s own DHCP. So I’m wondering if I even need the two servers anymore. What if I was to convert the domain setup to a workgroup? Is it possible that I’m going to run into problems?
Thanks,
-bryan