16 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONALLESSON 3

1-16 Chapter 1 Introduction to Windows XP Professional

Lesson 3: Identifying Key Characteristics of Workgroups

and Domains

Windows XP Professional supports two types of network environments in which users

can share common resources, regardless of network size. A workgroup consists of a

number of peer-based computers, with each maintaining its own security. A domain

consists of servers that maintain centralized security and directory structures and work-

stations that participate in those structures.

After this lesson, you will be able to■

Identify the key characteristics of workgroups and explain how they work.

■

Identify the key characteristics of domains and explain how they work.

Estimated lesson time: 15 minutes

How Workgroups Work

A Windows XP Professional workgroup is a logical grouping of networked computers

that share resources, such as files and printers. A workgroup is also called a peer-to-

peer network because all computers in the workgroup can share resources as equals

(peers) without requiring a dedicated server.

Each computer in the workgroup maintains a local security database, which is a list of user

accounts and resource security information for the computer on which it resides. Using a

local security database on each workstation decentralizes the administration of user

accounts and resource security in a workgroup. Figure 1-4 shows a local security database.

Windows Server 2003 Windows XP ProfessionalLocal securitydatabase

F01US04.eps

Figure 1-4

A Windows XP Professional workgroup is also called a peer-to-peer network.