Client/Server vs P2P (NET)

[zhiyi]

Hello,

I have just installed windows server on my pc and would like to setup a client/server network. Currently,I am using P2P networking.

Right now,I have a wireless router and it acts as a dhcp server. The computers and an ethernet modem is connected to it. The 'client' computers are running win2000 and xp professional.
I use a workgroup and automatic ip address/subnet assigning.

So, what are the requirements if I want to setup client/server networking? I have looked through some windows server books and they mentioned a lot on domains,using windows server to assign dhcp, dns,active directory etc.

For the server, I would like it to be setup as a file/printer server and probably a webserver also. I also want to give active directory a try. So are there any things to change? like using a domain or removing the router t

[Brf]

The router is fine the way it is.... you are probably better off having the server do the DHCP though, if you are going to use Active Directory.

By using a Domain, rather than P2P, you only have to worry about a single User database, which will reside on the server, rather than having to maintain a User database on every single workstation. In Active Directory you can also create a Group Policy, so your workstations are more uniform in use and appearance.