Setting up small network without active directory

I am setting up a small network using windows 2000 server. Connected to this will be 7 workstations possibly increased in future to a maximum of 10 but no more. The workstations will be distributer amoungs 3 departments. Each Department will have access to different resources, and each user will have a roaming profile set up.
I would like users to be authenticated by the server.
Do  I have to use the active directory service, and DNS to set up a network of this size ? I would like to avoid this because my active directory and DNS knowledge is not very good
If using active directory is the only way, can somebody provide me with a brief outline as to how this can be set up. ( I never upgraded my MCSE to windows 2000 and have fallen behind alot, so my thinking is still based on the NT networking format)