Windows 2000 Server of XP Pro

I am setting up a small office network for my uncle with about 8 users, a photocpier/printer to be hooked up to be printed over the network. Also all the users are going to be connecting to the server to upload and retrieve digital and scanned pictures daily. I was wondering should I get him to get Windows 2000 Server for the server or should I just get XP Pro and setup shares for each user on the xp Pro machine acting as a server? Is there any downfall to using XP Pro as a server to be accessed all day every day?

 

If you have no plans of expanding, then XP Pro will work. Just be aware that it has a 10 connection limit. I have quite a few customers using XP Pro that way (even Win98) and it works fine. All you are basically using the "server" for is a big file cabinet. I would recommend that you have at least a 1GHz processor, 512 megs of memory and a 7200 rpm drive to help with the performance.

 

thanks

 

If there is any possibility of expansion or you would need to manage users, I would recommend Server 2003 if you are doing a clean install and have an internet connection. Also consder sharepoint if all the pictures need to be managed by users on different privelege levels. Be aware that both solutions would need some form of sysadmin and if this is a business enviroment, backup would be a must, LaCie offer cheap(ish) NAT devices for file storage or backup (but don't use for both on the same device)
Cheers,
10forcash