Introducing Windows Server 2008 - MCTS Guide to Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration - page 14

The Workgroup Model A Windows workgroup is a small collection of computers
whose users typically have something in common, such as the need to share files or printers with
each other. A workgroup is also called a peer-to-peer network sometimes because all participants
are represented equally on the network, with no single computer having authority or control
over another. Furthermore, logons, security, and resource sharing are decentralized, so each user
has control over his or her computer's resources. This model is easy to configure, requires little
expertise to manage, and works well for small groups of users (fewer than 10) who need to share
files, printers, an Internet connection, or other resources. A Windows Server 2008 server that
participates in a workgroup is referred to as a stand-alone server .
The Domain Model A Windows domain is a group of computers that share common
management and are subject to rules and policies defined by an administrator. The domain
model is preferred for a computer network that has more than 10 computers or requires cen-
tralized security and resource management. Unlike the workgroup model, a domain requires at
least one computer configured as a domain controller running a Windows Server OS. In the
domain model, a computer running a Windows Server OS can occupy one of two primary roles:
a domain controller or a member server.
A domain controller is a Windows server that has Active Directory installed and is respon-
sible for allowing client computers access to domain resources. The core component of a
Windows domain is Active Directory. A member server is a Windows server that's in the man-
agement scope of a Windows domain but doesn't have Active Directory installed.
Windows Networking Components
Every OS requires these hardware and software components to participate on a network: a net-
work interface, a network protocol, and network client or network server software. In most
cases, today's OSs have both client and server software installed.
Network Interface A network interface is composed of two parts: the network interface
card (NIC) hardware and the device driver software containing specifics of how to communicate
with the NIC. In Windows Server 2008, you configure the network interface in the Network
Connections window (see Figure 1-6). To open it, click Start, Network, and then click Network
and Sharing Center. Under Tasks, click Manage network connections.

Figure 1-6 The Network Connections window