Windows Server Essentials
| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Stable release | |
| Operating system | Windows Server 2003 |
| Type | Application server |
| Website | www.microsoft.com/sbs |
Windows Small Business Server (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 medium 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 available in Standard and Premium editions. The Standard edition currently consists of the Windows Server 2003 operating system, Microsoft Exchange Server mail server, Internet Information Services (IIS) web server, Windows SharePoint Services for collaboration, Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 email client, Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), Windows Server Update Services for update management across the network, and a Fax server. The Premium edition also includes Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server and Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003.
Windows Small Business Server has its own type of Client Access License (CAL), that is different and costs slightly more than CALs for the other editions of Windows Server 2003. However, the SBS CAL encompasses the user CALs for Windows Server, Exchange Server, SQL Server, and ISA Server, and hence is less expensive than buying all the other CALs individually.
Windows Small Business Server has the following design restrictions: [1]
- Only one computer in a domain can be running Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server.
- 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.
- 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)[2]
- 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. [3]
Initially, Small Business Server was marketed as an edition of Microsoft BackOffice Server. When Windows 2000 was released, it became a separate product, and finally was rebranded as a member of the Windows Server 2003 family. It is technically not an 'edition' of Windows Server 2003 but rather a collection of server technologies optimized especially for small businesses. However, the application servers are tightly integrated into the operating system.
Versions
- October 22 1997 – BackOffice Small Business Server 4.0
- includes Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3, Exchange Server 5.0 SP1, IIS 3.0, SQL Server 6.5 SP3, Proxy Server 1.0, Internet Explorer 3.02 or 4.01, and Outlook 97; allows 25 client licenses.
- includes Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4, Exchange Server 5.5 SP2, IIS 4.0, SQL Server 7.0, Proxy Server 2.0, Internet Explorer 5.0, Outlook 2000, and FrontPage 2000; allows 50 client licenses.
- February 21 2001 – Microsoft Small Business Server 2000
- includes Windows 2000 Server, Exchange 2000 Server, IIS 5.0, SQL Server 2000, ISA Server 2000, Internet Explorer 5.0, Outlook 2000, and FrontPage 2000; allows 50 client licenses.
- includes Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Outlook 2003, Windows SharePoint Services, and optionally Microsoft SQL Server 2000, ISA Server 2000 (upgrade to ISA Server 2004 in Small Business Server Premium SP1), and Microsoft FrontPage 2003 in Premium edition; allows 75 client licenses.
- includes Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Outlook 2003, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, and optionally Microsoft SQL Server 2005 [1], ISA Server 2004, and Microsoft FrontPage 2003 in Premium edition; allows 75 client licenses. Has built-in patch management - known as Update Services which is based on Microsoft Windows Server Update Services.
- 2008 - Windows Small Business Server 2008 (codenamed Cougar) (64-bit only): includes Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, SQL Server 2005, System Center Essentials 2007. System Center Essentials combines aspects of both Operations Manager and Configuration Manager and is aimed at small businesses.[4] It will also include a revamped quick and incremental backup solution based on snapshot technology. Backups can be scheduled as often as 30 minutes. Tape backup is no longer supported. Small Business Server 2008 will need to be installed behind some kind of firewall such as a hardware router or a software firewall such as ISA. ISA Server is not supported on the small busines server, it can be installed on a separate server. The single-NIC model will be the only mode.[5]
Features unique to Small Business Server
- Remote Web Workplace
- POP3 Connector (in Exchange Server)
- Shared Modem Service (not supported in Small Business Server 2003 and later)
References
- ^ "Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2: Frequently Asked Questions". Microsoft. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-09-02.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Licensing - Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2: Frequently Asked Questions". Microsoft. Retrieved 2006-09-02.
- ^ Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Transition Pack
- ^ Windows Small Business Server "Cougar"
- ^ Next version of Windows Small Business Server