Advise on 'domain' requested

[kevinday]

Hi all,

I am currently in the process of upgrading server and network at a small office (been nominated IT manager because everybody else has even less knowledge than me ). I am changing the network from a home type using XP home on the w/stns accessing a linux server, to a proper office environment using XP Pro and MS Server 2003 with proper security log-ins.

The IT support people say we need a proper domain name to run the network correctly, this being our Internet domain as well. We do not have a home page or anything and our email is hosted by a 3rd party.

Do we really need an Internet domain, or is it just a local 'domain' on the server?

Any help with this would be gratefully received!

[BliarOut]

Just set up a domain name that would match your real one, but use a .local extension instead of .co.uk

When you upgrade to the point where you want a "proper" domain things will work better this way. If you use your "real" domain name you'll have to mess with local dns names from time to time.

[kevinday]

Thanks, but what do you mean by .local?

[agent006]

.local is a domain extension used by MS. so instead of your internal domain being domain.yourcompany.com it's domain.local

It's a bit more secure, and just easier.

[kevinday]

Thanks.