In Microsoft Windows, what is a workgroup or domain?
A workgroup is a logical collection of computers that share resources. Normally, workgroups are composed of the computers within a single department or a small company. Each computer can share resources with all other computers. In essence, all computers are of equal status. Within a company, different departments may be workgroups and each may have a unique name to identify the workgroup. Because each computer is independent, each computer is responsible for authenticating users.
Like a workgroup, a domain is a logical collection of computers that share resources. One of the key differences is that a single server is responsible for managing security and other user-related information for the domain. This server allows login validation, by which a user logs into the domain and not into a single computer.
While dialing into the modem pool at IUB, if you are prompted for a workgroup or domain, do not enter anything. Doing so would either slow down the login process or possibly not let you log in at all.
Last modified on October 12, 2011.
