Question : Disadvantages of Peer to Peer Networking in a Manufacturing Environment

Can someone please describe in detail from a business perspective what the disadvantages of a peer to peer network would be in a manufacturing environment?

Answer : Disadvantages of Peer to Peer Networking in a Manufacturing Environment

Greetings tristatefab,
A Peer to Peer Network is an ideal solution for the small office. If you have less than 10 PC's and need e-mail, Internet access, shared Windows resources and printers, then you should consider a Peer to Peer Network Solution.

If your network includes more than 10 PC's, then re-configuring each PC to reflect topology changes or password changes may require significant effort.

For networks incorporating 10 to many hundred PC's, a more supportable solution would be to install a low cost Windows 2000/2k3 domain.

The domain model provides the Network Administrator with full control across the complete network from a single administration point.

This Network Administration includes:

    *  Password Changes.
    *  Security Policies.
    *  Enforcing network security policy(ies).
    *  Controlled access to data files and network resources.
    *  Restricting client downloads from the Internet or through the  local area network.

Read more:

http://www.ivascu.com/workgroup-vs-domain-network.php
http://www.computing.net/networking/wwwboard/forum/24098.html

Good Luck!
Naser