Microsoft networks were originally designed as peer to peer
networks back in the days of windows for workgroups 3.1.

If you like a bit of nostalgia you can read about the history of
windows 3.11 at wikipedia.

In corporate networks workgroups were replaced very quickly by
domains and so most corporate users have never used windows as
part of a workgroup.

However for home network users the workgroup is the only sensible networking model.

What is a Workgroup?

The workgroup model is applicable to windows 2000, XP or vista machines

A workgroup has the following properties:

• It is a collection of computers on a network.
• A workgroup has a name (workgroup name)
• A computer can only belong to one workgroup at a time
• The workgroup name can not be the same as any of the
  computer names.
• There can be multiple workgroups on a network.
• A workgroup has no security.
• A computer can move from one workgroup to the next.
• Applicable to windows for workgroups (3.11),95, 98, NT 4, 2000, XP or vista machines

The only real purpose of a workgroup is to make finding
computers more easily on large networks. This is because the
windows computer browser service displays the network in
workgroups.

If you double click the workgroups it shows you the
computers that were/are part of that workgroup. Although the old
computer browser service has been replaced the network is
displayed the same way as before. Here is my home network:

Clicking Microsoft windows networks shows the workgroups

Double clicking the workgroup named workgroup show the
computers that are part of that group. ( the ones that are
switched on)

Adding a Computer to a Workgroup

This is done through control panel>system>computer name

Click change and you see the following screen

Through this screen you can change the computer name or
workgroup name. Remember that they cannot be the same and
maximum of 15 characters.

You will often hear the computer name called the NetBIOS name
and the host name.

I prefer to keep the names short (especially computer names)
and meaningful.

	Enter your search termsSubmit search form
	Web www.steves-internet-guide.com