What is Difference between Workgroup and Domain

WORKGROUP AND DOMAIN

Hello my dear friends as we all know very well about network through which we can share and access information from one location to another location. A computer network can be divided logically in to two networking models:

• Work-group
• Domain

Workgroup is a peer-to-peer network while domain is a server-based network. The important differences between the two models are listed below:

WORKGROUP	DOMAIN
1. It is a peer-to-peer networking model.	1. It is a server-based networking model.
2. There is no client and no server. All the computers are equal in status.	2. There is a centralized dedicated server computer called Domain Controller (DC) which controls all other computers called Clients.
3. This model is recommended for small networks (up to 10 PCs).	3. This model is recommended for large networks.
4. There is no centralized administration and each computer is administrated separately.	4. There is centralized administration and each PC can be administrated and managed from the server.
5. There is only distributed processing.	5. Both centralized and distributed processing of resources happens.
6. In this model, low-grade OS like 2000/XP professional, win 98 etc. can be used.	6. In this model, high-grade OS like Win /2003/ server on the server end.
7.Workgroup can be given a name like sales, HR, accounts etc.	7.Domain can also given a name like xyz.com, abc.com etc.
8. User accounts are created in each PC and are called ‘Local Users’.	8. User accounts are created only in the server (DC) and are called ‘Domain Users’.

By default, the name of 'Workgroup' is Workgroup. however you can change it 

1-To change Workgroup Name:

2-right-click on My Computer. 


3-properties >  

4-Computer name > 

5-Change >

6-Workgroup > 

7-Type the name > O.K.

8-Restart the PC.

In a Workgroup network, name of Workgroup in every PC will the same. For example, if in your network, there are 10 computers and the name of Workgroup is Sales. So every computer will have Workgroup name as ‘Sales’. Click on ‘My Network Places’ > Entire Network > Microsoft Windows Network > you can see the name ‘sales’ > Click on the sales > you can see names of computers present in the Workgroup Sales. Click on a computer name to view its shared folders.

To create a Domain network, you have to first create a Domain Controller (DC) and then client computers are made member of the domain.
Read my active directory blogs for more information about Domain.

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