I want to run a network at home. I have a dell 2400 server NO os, but win 2003 available) and 3 desktops running xp pro. I also have a linksys router and cable internet. What is the best way to connect everything? cable to router to all computers including server? or cable to server to router to all computers? Do I install 2003 server and run a domain or workgroup? I might want to host a web page later. Do I really need a static ip?

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you are getting in over your head. If you dont have any experience with 2k3 server, just put xp on all of them and do a workgroup. There are too many settings to list to setup a domain/AD correctly.

I had my other desktops running under a windows xp workgroup all behind the linksys router before getting the server. It was unreliable to say the least. Sometimes the network assets were there and sometimes they would simply disappear. I spent enough time trying to keep the workgroup running that I could have learned server 2k3. In July I will be taking a microsoft certification course and thought this would give me a head start. It does seem to be a steep learning curve. For now could someone advise me on the best way to connect everything so when I learn server 2003 I will have a network hardwired and ready to go. I have cable modem, router and server in the same room and 3 desktops in other romms and I am running cable to the other rooms asap.

Over my head huh? I have 0 exp with w2k3 and now everything is working. One problem I am still working on is how to set up roaming profiles. Also I had to run 2 NIC cards from the server into the router to get everything to work. Not sure if that is the correct way, but it works. I just made one of them a cross-over cable and it still works the same, so far.