Workgroup is Microsoft's term for a peer-to-peer local area network. Computers running Microsoft operating systems in the same workgroup may share files, printers, or Internet connection.[1] Workgroup contrasts with a domain, in which computers rely on centralized authentication.
A workgroup is a peer-to-peer network using Microsoft software. A workgroup allows all participating and connected systems to access shared resources such as files, system resources and printers.
In computer networking, a workgroup is a collection of computers on a local area network (LAN) that share common resources and responsibilities. Workgroups provide easy sharing of files, printers and other network resources. Being a peer-to-peer (P2P) network design, each workgroup computer may both share and access resources if configured to do so.
Workgroups just provide a grouping when browsing resources in the UI. "Network Neighborhood" (which has gone under a variety of names, such as "Network Near Me") displays computers that share your workgroup name. And there's an "Entire Network" that lists all the other workgroup names.
There's no impact on security or resource access. It's just a display thing.
The difference between domain and workgroup?
Domains, workgroups, and homegroups represent different methods for organizing computers in networks. The main difference among them is how the computers and other resources on the networks are managed.
Computers running Windows on a network must be part of a workgroup or a domain. Computers running Windows on home networks can also be part of a homegroup, but it's not required.
Computers on home networks are usually part of a workgroup and possibly a homegroup, and computers on workplace networks are usually part of a domain.
In a workgroup:
All computers are peers; no computer has control over another computer.
Each computer has a set of user accounts. To log on to any computer in the workgroup, you must have an account on that computer.
There are typically no more than twenty computers.
A workgroup is not protected by a password.
All computers must be on the same local network or subnet.
In a Domain:
One or more computers are servers. Network administrators use servers to control the security and permissions for all computers on the domain. This makes it easy to make changes because the changes are automatically made to all computers. Domain users must provide a password or other credentials each time they access the domain.
If you have a user account on the domain, you can log on to any computer on the domain without needing an account on that computer.
You probably can make only limited changes to a computer's settings because network administrators often want to ensure consistency among computers.
There can be thousands of computers in a domain.
The computers can be on different local networks.
How to Access a Workgroup Computer
1. Press the Start button and open the “Control Panel” from the Start Menu.
2. Type “network” into the search box at the top of the window. Select the “Network and Sharing Center” link and then click on “Change advanced sharing settings.”
3. Mark the circle next to “Turn on network discovery” to set up your computer to recognize the presence of other systems in your workgroup. Click “Save Changes” and close the window.
4. Click the Start button and then click the “Network" link on the Start Menu. This will display all devices in your network, including the computers that share your workgroup.
5. Double-click on the icon of the computer that you wish to access to connect to the workgroup computer and gain access to the resources shared by the computer’s operator.
Advantages of a workgroup :
- Usually designed for small local area networks such as schools, homes or small businesses. Easy to install and configure.
- Function best and with fewer computers.
- Is easier to set up and configure than a domain.
- All content and resources can be shared with peers in the network.
- Setting up a workgroup name is independent of any hardware dependencies.
- Microsoft operating system provides resources for setting up workgroup.The workgroup settings are provided in the properties window in the Microsoft operating system.The Net command also can be used for obtaining information on the workgroup.
- Larger networks can be categorized into workgroups, which helps in better management.
Disadvantages of workgroup:
- The security measures provided in a workgroup are not as strong as those for a domain.
- Workgroups are not suggested for sensitive data, transmitting networks, nor business network.
- There is no centralized management of the resources unlike the domain network.
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