Win2k3 Small Business Server? 1

[mjbosko]

Curious. I'm looking at purchasing a new server ... we found that purchasing SBS 5 user pack, is less expensive than purchasing Win2K3 Server 5 user pack.

Are there any problems I might encounter going this route, other than the max user limitation of SBS (which isn't a problem)??

All I need is a server running an AD domain. Will SBS do okay for us?

Thanks!

Mike

 

[dkediger]

It will do fine. I assume you're getting the Standard version.

Its everything a regular Win2k3 server is, just with the afore mentioned user count limit and also the fact that the SBS server must control the AD domain.

You can join other Windows servers to the domain as member servers; you can't join trusts with other domains; you can't install more than one SBS server into a doamin.

If you can live within these limits - there really isn't a better Windows choice.

 

[markdmac]

I agree, SBS is a great bang for the buck. Plus you get Exchange 2003 with SBS 2003. The savings for that is huge.

I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if it was.

Regards,

Mark

 

[spook007]

Has anyone tried to upgrade their existing network to SBS 2003? I've got 3 servers running Win2K and I would like to upgrade to SBS 2K3, but I'm finding that implementing SBS into an existing network is very difficult!

Anyway I can upgrade from my existing setup instead of having to redo my entire network?

 

[Nox71]

SBS 2003 work great except for the fact that you can't run Terminal Server in application mode only in Administration mode. This is very important to know because in SBS 2000 we were able to switch the server in application mode but no more with 2003.

 

[markdmac]

There is little reason to run SBS in TS mode with 2003 since the additin of Remote Workplace which allows users to work from home and access their work PC. Granted you are restricted to a one on one PC/user ratio, but the licensing is a lot more favorable this way.

I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if it was.

Regards,

Mark

 

[markdmac]

Rather than integrating your new SBS Server into the old domain, you will have much better success if you set up SBS from the ground up and you can migrate your users using ADMT. Once you have moved everything over, you cna DCPROMO your old DC to a stand alone server and then have it join the SBS Domain. At that point you can make it a DC again if you like.


I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if it was.

Regards,

Mark