On 15 Feb 2003, at 8:34, Byron Wolter wrote:

> Someone who runs an office wants to network 5 computers so each user can
> access a database (located on one computer). He wants to know if he
> should buy a server or just use 5 regular desktops. All 5 would not always
> be accessing the database, probably only 3 at a time. I wasn't sure which
> way to go. What would be the advantages/disadvantages of using an actual
> server. Dell sells desktops, but they also list a server that has a
> Celeron processor.

  Server systems tend to be designed with features such as redundant power
supplies and ECC RAM.  It's not obvious that you need these.
  Microsoft software is typically limited to 5 or 10 network clients when
run on a workstation OS version, many more on a server OS version.  Again,
it's not clear that you need the extra capability.

  You will need a server OS version to run a domain or Active Directory
instead of a workgroup (although you should have at least TWO servers...).
I suspect that's overkill in this situation.

  I *would* recommend that the database computer be dedicated to that task,
and *not* be used as someone's desktop system, but it doesn't sound like it
needs to have "server" hardware or OS on it.

David Gillett

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