Is OS X server operate in a Windows environment?

Question

We have an office of about 30 people strong, plus some remote sites (approximately 5-6).
Can the OS X Server be used as a replacement of Windows 2003 Server?  We do not use Domain, just Workgroup. 
We require certain user privileges with respect to which folders are accessible to which users.
DHCP could be from the Router (could be a Time Capsule) but how about DNS settings?
How about the HD formatting, should be formatted as NFPS, or does Journaled work in Windows?
Generally, i am looking for advice on how to set up an OS X server at work, provided it is possible to use it as a replacement of Windows Server.
I already have a 2010 iMac with 8GB of RAM and 500GB HD, which i can use as an OS X server computer.  Or i could buy a new Mac Mini for this task.
Thanks in advance,
Paris

Answer 1

Hello Paristea,
I hope someone else will reply much better than me, i'll just do a smart part in case your question goes unnoticed like it sometime happens.
In general, OS X server does not replace Windows server. Apple Server is a Small Business or Home Server now.
With all your people and sites, even if you are all Apple, even if you work low profile with only files sharing, the investment on the switch and learning how to hack this "appears to me" to be bigger than adding an Apple server and taking Windows server up to 2008 R2 or more.
Actually, I like to have Windows server do the basic things it can, serve Windows and Macs in terms of DHCP, DNS, Certificates, Time, Network Accounts, printer and file sharing.
For me, the questions remains as which should do the collaboration services, Wiki, Blog, Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Messages.
If collaboration services are done in the cloud with Microsoft, Google, Yahoo or else, there might not even be a reason to add an Apple Server except for Time Machine maybe....
François.