Windows Small Business Server

Windows Small Business Server
Developer(s) Microsoft
Stable release 2011 / December 13, 2010
Type Application server
License Microsoft EULA
Website www.microsoft.com/sbs

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 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 technically not an 'edition' of the Windows Server operating system but rather a customized SKU of server technologies targeted specifically at 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 2003, the same service packs as those for Windows Server or other server products can be used to update the OS[2] [3].

Contents

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.[1]

The version of Windows Server that is part of Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008, known as Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions (WinWESS) (also known as Windows Server 2008 Standard FE)[2] is available outside the product suite, supporting a maximum of 15 Client Access Licenses.[3]

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:[4]

Features unique to Small Business Server

Versions

based on Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3 and includes 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.
based on Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4 and includes 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.
based on Windows 2000 Server (including Internet Explorer 5.0 and IIS 5.0) and includes Exchange 2000 Server, SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition, Internet Security & Acceleration Server 2000, Outlook 2000 and FrontPage 2000; allows 50 client licenses.
based on Windows Server 2003 and includes Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Outlook 2003, Windows SharePoint Services 2.0, 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. Service Pack 1 for Windows Small Business Server 2003 was released on July 25, 2005.[9]
based on Windows Server 2003 (Not R2)[4] and includes Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Outlook 2003, Windows SharePoint Services 2.0, and optionally Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition [5], ISA Server 2004, and Microsoft FrontPage 2003 in Premium edition; allows 75 client licenses. A major addition is a built-in patch management solution optimized for small businesses, based on Microsoft Windows Server Update Services. Exchange database size limit is set to 18 GB by default but can be expanded to 75 GB using a registry key.
based on Windows Server 2008 and includes Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and 120-day trial subscriptions of new security products from Microsoft, namely, Forefront Security for Exchange and Windows Live OneCare for Server.[11][12] The standard edition of SBS 2008 will be a single server solution for small businesses. The premium edition will contain a license for Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition, with the option to run SQL Server on either the main SBS server, or a second server. The premium edition will therefore be targeted at dual-server scenarios such as terminal services application sharing, Line of Business applications, edge security, secondary domain controllers, and virtualization.[13] In addition to features present in previous versions, new features include:
  • A streamlined administration and management console that is designed around tasks to be accomplished rather than underlying technologies[14]
  • Built-in support for registering and configuring domain name and DNS records via multiple registrars
  • Monitoring reports that gather data from both servers and clients on the network, including Security Center status (anti-virus, spyware, and client firewall) from all the clients
  • New features in the Remote Web Workplace, such as the ability to define default and allowed PCs for each user
  • Office Live Small Business integration for and configuring a public web site or extranet
  • New server backup features, based on the incremental block-based backup technology in Windows Server 2008 (tape backup no longer supported via native tools, but continues to be supported via 3rd parties)[15]
  • SBS 2008 requires installation behind a separate network firewall device. In contrast with SBS 2003, it does not support being installed directly on the edge of the network, ISA Server is no longer bundled and a dual-NIC configuration is not possible.[16]
SBS 2008 was released to manufacturing on August 21st, 2008[17] and was launched on November 12th, 2008.[18] Windows Small Business Server 2008 supports organizations with up to 75 users or devices.[12] A notable change from SBS 2003 is that CALs are not enforced electronically.[19]
Microsoft announced two successors to the SBS series during WPC 2010, both based on Windows Server 2008 R2. One successor (code name "Aurora") supports a maximum of 25 users, removes the traditional on-premises components of Exchange, SharePoint and WSUS, and is oriented to attach cloud services. The other successor (code name "SBS 7") is the more direct successor of SBS 2008, and continues to support a maximum of 75 users, and will continue to include the next generation on-premises versions of Exchange, SharePoint and WSUS.
Late in 2010, Microsoft announced the official branding for the 2011 wave. SBS "7" will be branded as Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard, and "Aurora" will introduce a new edition to the SBS product line: Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials. Additionally, changes to the premium edition were announced. Whereas formerly, the premium edition of SBS was packaged as a superset of the standard edition, in the 2011 wave it will be available as an add-on edition, containing standalone copies of SQL Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 R2, and available to add on to either SBS 2011 Essentials or Standard.
In mid-December, Microsoft released Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard to Technet/MSDN Subscribers for evaluation. Microsoft has also announced that Windows SBS 2011 Standard will be available to Volume Licensing in Early January and as a Trial in Mid-January. Windows SBS 2011 Essentials is still going under testing.[20][21][22] SBS 2011 requires an Internet connection.

See also

References

  1. ^ SBS 2008 RC1 and EBS 2008 RC1 finalised
  2. ^ "Windows Small Business Server 2008 Technical FAQ". Microsoft Technet. Microsoft Corporation. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sbs/cc817589.aspx. Retrieved June 9, 2010. "Windows Server 2008 Standard FE is the shortened name for Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions. When you run the Winver tool you will see this reference." 
  3. ^ Managing Licenses in Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions
  4. ^ "Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2: Frequently Asked Questions". Microsoft. 2006-07-11. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/techinfo/overview/generalfaq.mspx#EIBAA. Retrieved 2006-09-02. 
  5. ^ http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/small-business.aspx
  6. ^ http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/compare-features.aspx
  7. ^ "Licensing - Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2: Frequently Asked Questions". Microsoft. http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2003/sbs/evaluation/faq/licensing.mspx. Retrieved 2006-09-02. 
  8. ^ Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Transition Pack
  9. ^ Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1
  10. ^ [1]
  11. ^ SBS 2008 editions
  12. ^ a b Introducing the Windows Essential Server Solutions Family of Products
  13. ^ SBS Server #1 is required to be 64-bit; SBS Server #2 will provide the option to run as either 32-bit or 64-bit. Microsoft unveils new Small Business Server
  14. ^ http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsserver/essential/graphics/sbs/SBS_BusinessCapacity.jpg
  15. ^ Overview Windows Small Business Server 2008 (Code Name: Cougar)
  16. ^ Preparing your Network for Small Business Server 2008
  17. ^ Small Business Server 2008 (SBS 2008) Released to Manufacturing
  18. ^ Microsoft SMB Community Blog
  19. ^ SBS 2008 and the usage of CAL's
  20. ^ Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011 hits RTM
  21. ^ Announcing Previews of Our Simple and Affordable Servers for Small Businesses - blogs.technet.com.
  22. ^ Introducing the next version of Windows Small Business Server! - www.microsoft.com.

External links

DOS-Based
Windows 9x
Windows NT
Early versions[lower-greek 1]
Client releases
Specialized
Windows CE
Mobile
Cancelled
Related topics

Notes:

  1. ^ These operating systems have both client and server editions.