Deciding Between Workgroups and Domains

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Deciding between workgroups and domains

This section contains information that will help you decide whether to place your servers in a workgroup or a domain. It also contains other information that, if you create a domain, will help with basic planning of the roles of servers within the domain.

For information about upgrading servers in a domain where all domain controllers run Windows NT 4.0, see Upgrades in a Windows NT 4.0 Domain. For information about upgrading servers in a domain containing one or more Windows 2000 domain controllers, see Upgrades in a domain containing Windows 2000 domain controllers. For information about networks larger than five servers, see the Windows Server 2003 Deployment Kit at the Microsoft Windows Server System Web site. For information about obtaining the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit, see Using the Windows Deployment and Resource Kits.

For additional information, see:

• Workgroups compared with domains

• Planning for domain controllers and member servers

• Special aspects of Windows Server 2003 family domain controllers

• Additional information about domains