Domains and Workgroups

Domains are the highest tier in the structure of a network. Each domain has a Primary Domain Server (PDS), and in larger organisations, their may well be a secondary domain server which will take over should the PDS fail.

The domain shown has a PDS (Primary Domain Server), which verifies logins from the workstations, and may act as both a mail server, and if the appropriate software is installed, can act as both an intranet, and internet server. The network could also have a SDS (Secondary Domain Server) as a failsafe. The domain has an Applications server, from which the major software used by the workstations is run. This has a major advantage for the network administrators, in that instead of visiting each workstation to install new, or upgrading existing applications, changes can be made on the APPS server. When the workstation is restarted any changes are implemented. A print server is also shown. This may service a single specialist printer, or all printers on the network. Domains are a feature of both Windows NT, Novell and UNIX/Linux networking.

Workgroups

Exist as the highest tier of a peer to peer network (all PC's must be in the same workgroup), and can exist within a domain. All PC's in a domain must log on through the PDS, however the system administrator may allow individual groups, the accounts department for example, to create a workgroup to share data.

When users in the accounts workgroup attempt to access data on another PC in that workgroup, they will be required to supply a username, and password specific to that PC, that is to say not one verified by the PDS. Security of data within the accounts department is achieved this way

© Allen. C. Roffey 19:59 13/01/2006