Windows Server 2003 Help

[parkgoons]

I have a home network and am running two servers, one of which i just installed windows server 2003 on. if put my network on a domain will it be compatible with my laptop which is running windows XP home edition.

[CataclysmCow]

XP Home edition can not join a domain so you can't take advantage of acitve directory or anything that relies on it (which is just about everything). From a workgroup though you can still access shares on from a domain. This may have changed in 2003 (it was true of 2000) - 2003 got a lot tighter on restrictions. Windows 2003 Server's non-domain related services like the web server, FTP server, CA, etc. will still be available to you.

Unless you are comfortable working with domains, active directory and NT in general you might want to consider not using it. There's a pretty steep learning curve to get everything working seamlessly.

Is there some specific reason you are wanting to setup a domain?

[parkgoons]

not really in fact now i have configured it so it uses a workgroup because Win xp home doesnt support domains.

[Andy_veal]

XP Home edition can not join a domain so you can't take advantage of acitve directory or anything that relies on it (which is just about everything).  From a workgroup though you can still access shares on from a domain.  This may have changed in 2003 (it was true of 2000) - 2003 got a lot tighter on restrictions.  Windows 2003 Server's non-domain related services like the web server, FTP server, CA, etc. will still be available to you. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Correcto