Networking - Windows Small Business Server 2008

Windows Small Business Server

Webility recommend, install, and use Windows Small Business Server 2008.  This product from Microsoft offers so much in terms of value for money, options, and features. It is the perfect software for the small business that needs more than just a shared space to store files and POP3 e-mails addresses.
A short product description and an idea of some of the features are listed below.

Windows Small Business Server (SBS) (formerly Microsoft Small Business Server) is an integrated server suite from Microsoft designed for running network infrastructure (both intranet management and Internet access) of small and mediumWindows Small Business Server 2008 enterprises having no more than 75 workstations or users. Application server technologies are tightly integrated to enable small businesses with targeted solutions such as the Remote Web Workplace, and offer management benefits such as integrated setup, enhanced monitoring, a unified management console, and remote access.
Windows Small Business Server is technically not an 'edition' of the Windows Server operating system but rather a customized SKU of server technologies targeted especially to small businesses. As such, the application servers are not merely bundled with the OS but are tightly integrated into the operating system. Since the release of SBS 2008, the same service packs as those for Windows Server or other server products can be used to update the OS.

Editions

Windows Small Business Server is available in Standard and Premium editions. Both editions are based on the Windows Server codebase and include Microsoft Exchange Server mail server, Internet Information Services (IIS) web server, Windows SharePoint Services for collaboration, Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 email client (not included in 2008), Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), Windows Server Update Services for update management across the network, and a Fax server. Up to SBS 2003, the Premium edition also included Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server and Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003. SBS 2008 Premium edition will not include ISA Server but will include a Windows Server 2008 license and SQL Server 2008 for running on a second server. Those upgrading to SBS 2008 Premium edition via Software Assurance will be compensated with a free license for the latest version of ISA Server.
The version of Windows Server that is part of Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions (WinWESS) or Windows Server 2008 Standard FE is available outside the product suite, supporting a maximum of 15 Client Access Licenses.
Initially, Small Business Server was marketed as an edition of Microsoft BackOffice Server. When Windows 2000 was released, it was marketed as Microsoft Small Business Server 2000, and finally was rebranded as a member of the Windows Server 2003 family. Microsoft has also introduced a Windows Essential Business Server product aimed at medium-sized businesses, which will now incorporate the next version of ISA Server instead of SBS.

Design and licensing considerations

Windows Small Business Server has its own type of Client Access License (CAL) that is different and costs slightly more than CALs for the usual editions of the Windows Server operating system. However, the SBS CAL encompasses the user CALs for Windows Server, Exchange Server and SQL Server, and hence is less expensive than buying all the other CALs individually.
Windows Small Business Server has the following design restrictions:
  • Only one computer in the domain can be running Windows Small Business Server. That is not to say that the domain only supports a single server. The domain supports multiple servers, but only one of them can be of the Small Business Server operating system. The other servers can be any other operating system, such as Windows Server Standard Edition.
  • Windows Small Business Server must be the root of the Active Directory forest.
  • Windows Small Business Server cannot trust any other domains. It cannot have any child domains.
  • Windows Small Business Server is limited to 75 users or devices depending on which type of CAL (SBS 2008 FE edition supports a maximum of 15 CALs).
  • All Windows Small Business Server versions up to SBS 2003 are limited to 4 GB of RAM. 2008 requires a minimum of 4GB and supports a maximum of 32GB.
  • Windows Small Business Server versions prior to Windows Small Business Server 2008 are only available for the x86 (32-bit) architecture.
  • Windows Small Business Server 2008 will only be available for the x86-64 (64-bit) architecture. This is due to the requirements of Exchange Server 2007, whose production version is 64-bit only. The 32-bit version of Exchange Server 2007 is only supported for testing and non-production scenarios.
  • Only the Remote Desktop for Administration mode is available because Small Business Server always runs on the domain controller, and only two simultaneous RDP sessions are allowed. (Change from SBS 2000 policy). Terminal Services in application sharing mode needs to be run on a second server on the network. This however is possible with SBS 2008 Premium edition which includes a Windows Server 2008 license for running the second server.
  • To remove these restrictions and upgrade to regular editions of Windows Server, Exchange Server, SQL Server and ISA Server, there is a Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Transition Pack.
Features unique to Small Business Server
  • Remote Web Workplace
  • POP3 Connector (for Exchange Server)
  • Shared Fax Service (Fax server)
  • Shared Modem Service (Modem server, not supported in Small Business Server 2003 and later)