Can I have PCs in a single workgroup, but in different locations?

[Gary Richtmeyer]

I've searched this newsgroup and also done a number of Google searches, but
I can't find an answer to this.

I have a customer who has three offices 20-30 miles apart. Each office has
2-3 PCs in a simple workgroup LAN within that office. He would like to be
able to have the PCs in all offices connected together so that all could
access a single file server, share printers, etc.

I'm pretty adept at setting up workgroups within a single location using
routers & switches, but I've never tried to do a "LAN" that encompassed
multiple locations, so don't know what's involved or how to go about it.

1) Is this possible using a simple peer-to-peer workgroup or does he have to
implement a domain?
2) I'm guessing that a static IP for each location would be required, right?
3) Is there add'l hardware or software required to make this happen?
4) Most PCs are Win XP (both Home & Pro) with SP2, but a couple are Win 98SE

TIA

Gary

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Shouldn't be that difficult to set up. You'd want a router at each office
to provide the connections between them, and it probably would be easier to
set them up on fixed-IP addresses rather than trying to get DHCP working at
one site and having all other sites go to that site for addresses.

Google "Wide Area Network" or "WAN" for specific tips and hints.

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Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
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