workgroups (peer-to-peer)

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 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.therefor using a local security database decentralizes the administration of user accounts and resource security in a workgroup.


workgroups have decentralized administration and security, the following are true.

• a user must have a user account on each computer to which he or she wants to gain access.
• any changes to user accounts such as changing a users password or adding a new user account, must be made on each computer in the workgroup.if you forget to add new user account to one of the computers in your workgroup, the new user will not be able to log on to that computer and will unable to access resources on it.

a workgroup provides the following advantages

• it does not require inclusion of a domain controller in the configuration to hold centralized security informations.
• it is simple to design and implement. it does not require the extensive planning and administration that a domain require.
• it is a convinient networking environment for a limited number of computers in close proximity. however a workgroup becomes impractical in environments with more than 10 computers.