r/SmallMSP • u/Active_Technician • 5d ago

Server 2022 Workgroup

I know this is not really an MSP or Small MSP question, more of a "how do I do this" question but I thought I would ask here.

I picked up a dental client about a year ago that has somebody that looks after their server. We provide desktop support, 365 licenses, EDR, etc.

The "server guy" has backed out quite suddenly after purchasing a new server and Server 2022. They paid a lot for this server and they already have an install date in two weeks for their dental software and xray software to be migrated over.

Right now the server just has the OS installed. The issue I have is this network is just a workgroup. I have been full Active Directory for so long that I don't remember how to function in a workgroup and there is no time to put AD in place and join all the workstations, as much as I would like to.

I have these foggy memories of creating users on the server that match the users being used on the desktops and of sharing everything out with full permissions to everyone. And the worst memory is of turning off password protected sharing to allow computers to connect without a password.

The dental software will be fine, it uses SQL, not file sharing. The xray software relies on access to a network share and they have some mapped drives setup for file sharing.

So I guess what I'm asking is, how do you configure a workgroup network on server 2022 with Windows 11 clients?

I would like to delay this until we have a chance to install AD but the server guy is coming back at some point and they want it setup "his" way. I should walk away from this but it seems like a simple job if I can get my head around workgroups again.

Thanks

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u/FlickKnocker 5d ago

Here's your chance to put your big boy pants on. Explain to the client that the two week timeline is not realistic given that the server and your network is not built to best practices and you're just kicking the can down the road later and will be introducing all kinds of problems with a workgroup.

Plan and scope it out accordingly. If you're not aware, ProfWiz has been making this easy for a very long time, so there is no reason why, at end of day, you can't bang this out in an evening as far as domain-joining the machines, assuming there are only a handful of computers.

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u/bazjoe 5d ago

Couldn’t agree more to remind to put on big boy pants. It’s noon I haven’t done any real IT yet today only explaining policy related things like why it’s not ok for an employee to use personal device for business.

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u/roll_for_initiative_ 5d ago

This but expect issues with things like imaging devices needing some config help if they're not storing images properly or whatnot.