This is called Peer to Peer networking and still in use a lot
However there are many advantages to using an Active Directory Domain and a true Server.
Servers use much different hardware and able to handle longer up times and so on. There built in mechanisms for backing up all the data, and you are better able to secure the data
Servers like Microsoft's small business server provide additional functionality like email, remote access and so on
--
Cris Hanna [SBS - MVP]
Co-Contributor, Windows Small Business Server 2008 Unleashed
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Small-Business-Server-Unleashed/dp/0672329573/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217269967&sr=8-1
Owner, CPU Services, Belleville, IL
A Microsoft Registered Partner
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MVPs do not work for Microsoft
Please do not submit questions directly to me.
"dukedogcomputer101" <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:386F87CC-E501-4C09-91E8-***@microsoft.com...
If a small network of computers is made up only personal computers, can one
of them be used as a server for the group?