Windows 2003 Small Business Server advice needed

[omalleytrading]

Hi all, need some help.

I've got a small office -- two people and about 8 computers. Until now we've just been running a peer-to-peer network to share files and printers, but the time has come to step up to a true client-server architecture.

I've got a copy of Windows 2003 Small Business Server, and it's install on our "server". The question I have now is how to properly configure it. It's the distinction between a "User" and a "Computer" that I'm struggling with.

The question is, should I define eight users and eight computers (one user for each computer)

or

Two users and eight computers.

I want to be able to get at my e-mail & calendar from any PC, so my guess is 2 users / 8 computers. I'm not sure how the interaction between the desktop and the server works, however. In addition to defining the user on th SBS server, will I have to define two users on each desktop system as well?

As you can see, I'm a bit lost. Any help would be much appreciated!

[kappachino1919]

Well, are you staying on a peer to peer workgroup or are you going to have a domain? IF your are going to have a domain all you need is 2 users and 8computers. You will not have to set user up on all machines becuase they will authinticate from the SBS which will be your Domain Controller. There are alot fo things that you need to decide on. I have a SBS word document that u may want to read that can help you with setup and guide you in the right direction. DO you know if i can upload it as an attachment on this forum for you?

[zen]

With only 2 users, setting up a domain would be over-kill.
Is it relly necessary? What are you doing that requires client-server setup?

[omalleytrading]

kappachino1919 - YGPM

zen - I'm not sold on one route or the other. I just thought the domain route offered more advantages -- like being able to get at my e-mail and files no matter what PC I happen to be sitting at. Even over the Internet if I happen to be off-site.

[zen]

So your going to put your e-mail account on the server?
I dont get it.
You can use web mail to access your e-mail from anywhere.
And a share on the server for docs,etc.

[Tazzin]

In regards to your question regarding the difference between a "computer" and "user":
If I am wrong.. someone please correct me
Think of a large business that has like 100 computers... and 50 employees. You would setup your server so that all of the computers can connect to the server.... and no matter which computer your employees sit at.. they also are setup to connect to the server.

The admin in this case you.. could use the server to connect to all the client computers.. and perform updates/patches etc. to all the machines from the server. You can also setup to have roaming profiles on the server... so that no matter what computer a user logs into their settings would be loaded from the server.

I have not done this ... so nobody crusify me ok..

[Siliconjunkie]

Computer accounts are automatically created when they join the domain, so you won't have any choice. The idea behind a domain is that you can use one login at any computer in the domain and you can manage user rights across the domain.

For 2 users a domain is pretty overkill.

[Tazzin]

Ok.. thanks for the clarification Junkie..
So setting up a Domain allows the roaming profiles.. I got it.
So I was wrong..

[omalleytrading]

Overkill is my middle name!

I don't mind if I'm using 10% of the capabilities of the SBS software, or if I have to jump through 10 hoops to set it up, I just want to be able to do what I said above:

• Access my calendar and e-mail from any machine
• Access my e-mail and files remotely

As I understand it, that's why I need the Domain setup. I just wanted to confirm that with someone who knows what they're talking about -- this is my first time setting this stuff up.