Setting up a small domain

if you want a domain structure you will need windows server,  any version, NT4, 2000, 2003.  With out this, it would just be a workgroup.  You will need a workstation/server to install the server product on.  If you go this way, there are many more things to think of.  Backups, virus protection, etc.  what are your plans?

To set up a domain you will need a server product installed on the "main" pc, configured to be a domain controller; then you will need to join the other PC's to the new domain.  You will be able to log onto the domain controller with any of the domain user accdounts you set up, but not really recommended.

You probably want SBS2003, for a network with less than 75 users, this is what is recommended.  

Here is the product info

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/evaluation/default.mspx

XP Pro cannot be used as a domain controller.  If you just have a few pc's, maybe you dont need a domain controller.  Are you currently using a workgroup configuration?

no you can't use Xp as DC.
u can use SBS 2003

Basically, I work as a repair technician and I want to gain some experience using domains. I have my main pc which I work on and has backups of all the other pcs, my laptop, media center pcs, girlfriends laptop and another pc in the kitchen. I want to have the main pc as the domain controller but also be able to log onto this and use it as a normal pc with my personal account (which i would also use around the house). I will start off with individual virus protection on the pcs, and hopefully have all of the pcs in the house using a central storage (proably srating on the server later a NAS) and play with offline files on my laptop which comes to work with me. I think i will use sbs2003 so thanks for all who suggested that but what about any other recommendations for set up. The main thing is i don't particually want to sacrifice a pc to use as a dedicated server if possible but i guess i can alsways build up another one if necessary.

One other thing. The majority of the network is a wep2 secured wireless network with a linksys wag54gs and linksys usb and pcmcia cards in the remote pcs. This shouldn't cause any problems should it given the fact that the network is running smoothly now.

Thanks guys

your wireless shouldn't be affected.  You could download an evaluation of windows server 2003 from Microsoft.  They have 180-day eval's here

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/trial/default.mspx

I do exactly the same thing as what you want, however using the DC as you main computer is not a good idea at all.

One thing i would like to say is that your best off to spend a little bit of money and do it properly.

Build a box with 512mb and some sort of P4 in it.
Buy KVM so you dont need new monitor keyboard and mouse.

No to go against what other people have said but i would not really recommend SBS2003 for training purposes. I started with SBS2003 and it drove me crazy its very much a basic scaled down version of 2003 with restrictions at every point you come across. Dont get me wrong its excellent for small business but for learning server OS's on its not the best.

I registered for the microsoft action pack which is about $700AU a year. This is fantastic for what you want as you get multiple copies of all microsoft products. Including server 2003 and SBS and heaps more.

The problem i found with this is that its very addictive. I now have an ISA server Firwall,        (1 PC), Domain Controller, (1 PC), and Exchange Server (1 PC). Believe it or not all this is for 4 people in my house and Home office.

Ridiculas as this may sound to have large scale network like this, the options that i have been able to give to my customers from this learning experience has been massive.

Hope this helps.

Thanks crossfireit, thats really helped and is probably the route i am going to take, the  basis of the exercise is gaining experience as i run a small computer company and i don;t want to be thrown in at the deep end when a larger job comes along based on this sort of set up.

 I have been looking at the microsoft thing you mentioned (i belive it is called select pack in the uk but i am not 100% sure) but i have got a 180 evaluation copy so i will see how i go with that.

Am i right in thinking that server 2003 comes with everything that i will need to set up an exchange server as well even if it is on the same pc

Thanks Peter,

I am either registered as an OEM or a partner I can't remember exactly; I need to get a day off and sit down and work out exactly where I am with everything. The missing exchange server component isn't really at issue at the begining I don't think but I really am entering new territory here so I really don't know the capabilites and limitations of the whole system. I started my business straight out of school so i haven't even worked somewhere that a full setup is in place so I really don't know eher I will go with it just yet. Would you mind dropping me an email at info@ccs-net.co.uk so I have your address if i need anything in the future.

I have no idea where I got select pack proably confusing it with the select licensing.

Thanks for that recommendationsimon, I used the microsoft press book when i did my mcdst and i quite liked them so i will probably get that (amazon also recommended the resource kit but that just looked scary, the stack of books just seemed to fade into the distance).

Just a final question, does the action kit comes with any CALs or will i need those separately