okay, maybe the AD is not the way to go! based on some comments here and some other groups as well. what is the alternative way to manage around 100-150 device without active directory?really what we are looking for is being able to access those computers when needed and being able to restrict some users from changing things or open some website or apps. For example one of the managers was asking me if we can have the same background on all the devices and restrict users from changing it.in short what is or are the alternative solution to manage and administrate that number of users and devices without AD?

@Dashrender

@Dashrender said in what windows server should I choose for Active directory?:

You need to decide if you are going to approach this from a BOYD type setup or from a total lockdown setup.

In the case of BOYD, you protect your data/applications from the PC - i.e. the apps don't run locally, therefore there is no local data, and you really don't care about the endpoint.

For total lockdown, well, then you have to control the whole thing. You're at a good point right now to make this decision.. heck, you're just a half step off a greenfield setup considering what you've told us so far.

Don't lock yourself into old school thinking that Windows and AD are required. I visited DropBox corporate office last year... no AD running there, and they have thousands of computers.

BOYD setup is what we have been using. the only issue with it is that we own all the devices. and we want a way to control and manage those devices. I'm not tied to AD Idea. what I want is some type of a system that will allow me to secure, manage and limit the access on some computers or from some users!
with the company getting biger a some sort of system should be in place!

@DustinB3403 I know that I'dnot need an admin account when I have AD but I did it because I don't have an AD yet. not sure what would be the best solution. but I can backup every machine and wipe it off just before adding it to the domain and then restore all the data!

@DustinB3403 said in what windows server should I choose for Active directory?:

@Alan said in what windows server should I choose for Active directory?:

I want to create an IT department and start organising all the mess! I already implement Spiceworks as our ticketing system. start organising all the documents and creating an admin login for each machine...etc

You don't need an individual admin login for each system when you have AD.

You'd get this from the computers being on the domain and setting up proper security groups and permission sets.

What do you plan to do when you join these computers to the domain, and everyones files are missing? - Because they are logged into a new user profile - not that the files actually are missing, but are no longer accessible.

@Dashrender no I didn't, but I did create a lab for the purpose

I want to create an IT department and start organising all the mess! I already implement Spiceworks as our ticketing system. start organising all the documents and creating an admin login for each machine...etc

@Grey This is my first IT job and started as a part-time help desk and part-time network tech . I don't have the experience but I do have a good background as I graduated with a computer engineering degree and got Cisco certs!
but this is my first step on getting experience

@Dashrender Upgrading to windows 10 won't be a problem. I haven't thought about it this way but it definitely something to be considered.

@Dashrender You r right, I might not need AD, I'm looking for a solution the will provide some type of management like a single sign-in and user authentication ...etc the company is growing and it should something in place to centralise and manage all the devices/users in the company

the main location is a big warehouse in TX and we get contracts from sprint. most of the data are related to inventory and all the project related data like configuration files, close out sheets and pictures...etc our headquarter is in California and we have remote locations as well

@Dashrender
-most of the Pcs are running windows 7 pro, we have few windows 10 pro and Macs.

• the company use hosted base server like Rackspace for emails and box.com...etc
  the only server we have in place is the one that been used for RF guns.
  -data stored using online service like box.com.
  -internet connection is provided by AT&T.
  the network infrastructure is very good. The have a good network!