Thanks for the advice. Since they don't want to lose any data, I'm going to
suggest a good desktop that would never be used for anything more than Word,
and use a Raid 1 to have a backup in case one data drive fails.  Speed isn't
really important, and there would never be more than 6 computers networked.

Byron Wolter

> 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

         PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download
                     visit our download web page at:
                  http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml

                         PCBUILD's List Owners:
                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
                       Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>