User:Camfj/Workgroup vs Domain

Workgroups are a more simplified approach to server-based networking, 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 Networks consist of any logical collection of Workstations and Workgroup Servers. Any computer on the network can join an existing workgroup as long the workgroup naming convention is maintained for each member throughout the workgroup. Any workgroup member may access Workgroup Server resources so long as the user supplies authenticated credentials for server login. Although not performed through Active Directory, Workgroup Servers contain a standard set of centralized management tools for the administration of security policies which individual,groups of users may require in order to gain authenticated or login access to resources located on the Workgroup Server itself.

Domains are more complex to setup for the average user in the short term, 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 promoting any Workgroup Server to the role of a Domain Controller or Primary Domain Controller (PDC). Servers designated as Primary Domain Controllers contain a more thorough and complex set of security and administrative properties which the simplified Workgroup Server does not have. Each Domain must have at least one designated PDC Server within its Forest for centralized user account management through the AD. Domains share a hierarchal directory of databases, security policies, and common security relationships with other sub-Domains. A PDC provides access to a centralized user account and workgroup account policy as maintained by the 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 where collaborative computing between numerous workgroups must span multiple departmental servers with common sets of relational security policies in place.

So in simple terms a workgroup would be good for a small buisness and a domain would be good in a large buisness or large corporation.