Debian server with windows xp clients

[RickyW]

I presently manage a network with about 80 computers that are Windows 2000 and XP pro based. I have the network setup using workgroups. Can I put a Linux based server like Debian into the network and control the windows computers as though I was using Windows server xxxx? Thank you.

[kazler]

You need to be more specific about what you mean when you say:

control the windows computers as though I was using Windows server xxxx?

If you mean remote control you can use RDP/VNC
If you mean shares, authentication, roaming profiles e.g. you can use Samba
If you mean group policy I believe that there are tools out there but I couldn't tell you what they are called or where to get them. A workaround could be use login scripts to restrict or configure what you would like group policy to do.