Win Ser 2003 vs Small Bus. Server

[turb0]

Hi All.

Our startup company is finally growing out of the simple Intranet Workgroup Network I've built and we're looking to invest in a decent new Server to run: Exchange and Windows Server for file sharing and printing.. .etc etc.

I'm pricing out different Servers on HP and Dell and am not sure what version of Windows Server to get: WS 2003 or Small Business Server?!?

My office details:
We have 10 employees.
Looking to run Exhange.
File Sharing and Printer sharing required.

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of either OS?
We're not going too expand too much in the next year or so, but we are going to get a decent Dual - Dual Core Processor System with about 4GB of RAM and at least Raid 1 configuration.

Thanks!
-g-

[djnes]

From the little I know, it sounds like SBS 2003 was designed for your exact scenario.

[NTJedi]

How many computers do you expect to have within your environment?
10 users could mean your company has 3 computers or 20 computers.

[beanman101283]

From the little i also know, SBS includes Exchange, where Win Server doesn't and you'd have to buy it separately.

[turb0]

How many computers do you expect to have within your environment?
10 users could mean your company has 3 computers or 20 computers.

sorry, let me specify a little more.

2 Servers (1 - File Sharing 1 - Backup)
8 Laptops (connecting wirelessly)
3 Desktops ( all secondary machines to us in the IT department that we use for beta testing and Installa-Shield trials).
6 - IP Phones (just thought i'd toss these in, since they are on the network)

[Josh_B]

From the little i also know, SBS includes Exchange, where Win Server doesn't and you'd have to buy it separately.

SBS server is your best bet. Server 2003 Std does not include Exchange, so you would lose money on that, too.

Be forewarned that there is a 16GB limit on the mail spool because of the version of Exch included in SBS2003. This is not a huge issue as if you ever outgrow the current exchange server, you can add a new Exch server and migrate the mail to an Exch Ent. setup with a much bigger mail limit. (Not sure what Enterprise's limit is.)

Happy trails!

[pigster]

Be forewarned that there is a 16GB limit on the mail spool because of the version of Exch included in SBS2003.

This is no longer the case, since SBS now has Exchange SP2, which allows a 75gb store

[turb0]

Thanks for all the help guys!!!

Last question:

What's the deal with the CAL's?

Are they required for each Exchange user or each email acount? I'm searching the Microsoft site, but I'm not really getting any info on this......

It's looking like I'll be getting SBS with Exhange (5 CAL's) and getting an additional 5 CAL's to have all 10 possible users in the office setup on Exchange email/calender.

[Josh_B]

This is no longer the case, since SBS now has Exchange SP2, which allows a 75gb store

Ah, I see.

Very good then, carry on.

:)

[AMD_Gamer]

SBS2003 is the same exact thing as windows server 2003 but it comes packaged with exchange server, sharepoint server, and i think ISA server and i think it has a 50 user limit.

i just got the free trial frm microsoft actually a few months ago and i have yet to install it but i have been meaning to.

[OldPueblo]

The limit is 75 and the cals are for the whole enchilada. So 10 "sbs cals" cover any cals needed for server, exchange, etc. ISA server only comes with the premium version, which also includes SQL2000. I highly recommend sbs2003, its got some really nice automation and simplified processes, not to mention the health check/remote connect system that you can only get with sbs2003. I installed it at my parents office 3 years ago and I rarely touch it. It e-mails me backup logs and health audits daily due to its health checking system. When I do have to touch it, I can do almost everything remotely including connecting to each desktop via the remote web wizard.

[Ezekial]

another vote for SBS 2003.
for your company size it's a perfect solution to your needs.
You'll spend a lot more to get regular server and exchange

the only disadvantges are dealing with more wizards (can be good and bad) and learning a few "quirks" to setting up accounts differently. No big deal though. I have deployed only one of these setups, and they were not using the Exchange part right then.

[Blitzrommel]

It's absolutely amazing how quickly you can get a server into production use with SBS2003 from the wizards. I wholeheartly recommend it.

another vote for SBS 2003.
for your company size it's a perfect solution to your needs.
You'll spend a lot more to get regular server and exchange

the only disadvantges are dealing with more wizards (can be good and bad) and learning a few "quirks" to setting up accounts differently. No big deal though. I have deployed only one of these setups, and they were not using the Exchange part right then.

[dbwillis]

You should use VMWare for the installware trials, the 'snapshot' feature is great for this particular task