I would like to set up a way for my department to continue working when the network server fails using a peer to peer or workgroup setup. We only need to access files. We do not need printers, internet, or email to continue working. Background: There are multiple child companies in the same building using the same server. I work as backup network supervisor for all companies but I am employed by only one of the companies. The one company I work for has asked me to find a way to keep my department working while the server is down. (Seems to happen regularly around here as we are going through IT rebuilding and upgrades) I have two PC's in my office. One I use as a workstation which runs Windows XP PRO. The other runs on Windows 2000 v5 and is dedicated to hard drive back up duties for a few engineers in my department. I also backup the server directories my department uses on a daily basis. Including their user directories on the network. This backup computer has 2 network cards. FYI- The network backup is redundant and not necessary if I do not find a way to access the files when the server is down. All computers in the department are Windows 2000 or Windows XP Pro. The server is Windows 2003 Server. We use drive mapping to access the directories on the server and will need this capability after the server fails. There are approimately 200 PC's in the building. There are appoximately 25 PC's in this department. There are approximatley 10 PC's that need to keep working during a server outage. QUESTION Is there a way to quickly set up peer to peer or a workgroup to access the files on my backup PC when the network is down? Maybe a batch file to run on each PC that sets up the workgroup and maps the drives? I tried to create a workgroup on my backup PC but it only gives me the options of connecting via Domain or Workgroup but not both. Seems this a PC matter and not per network card. Thanks in advance for any suggestions, Jeff Sanders

I think what you want is a Backup Domain Controller. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/200866

When the network is down??? Do you mean the dhcp server? If so then XP offers APIPA to help this. A wins sever may help too or even hosts files. Might look at even barracudadrive too if you can't authenticate users without AD. A ftp server might work too. I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you goober.