We currently have about 85 PCs on our network, each person having their own email and sharing many many files in different groups. We have about 10 network printers and a few other network devices. Currently have a domain server running windows 2003 server and an application server running 2003 also. Is there any advantage for me to get Business Server for our company. I'm more worried about possible security risks since I like to keep a tight grip on what goes in and our of our network. I'm just looking for some opinions.
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Small Business Server is typically a way for a very small company to get a bunch of Microsoft applications at a really steep discount, and run them on 1 server (including a domain controller). Unless you have a need for ALL of the applications for a subset of your users, SBS isn't a good fit. You definitely couldn't run your company's entire infrastructure off of one of these.
No, M$'s SBS server isn't a good replacement at all, even if you could live with the 75 user cap, you get too many restrictions which prevent easy future growth. Novell's Small Business server could be a very good replacement, though.
http://www.novell.com/prod
There are some other considerations in mind.
Indeed, they are correct, 75 users is the max necessary for a Windows 2003 Small Business Edition Server. And if you have more then 75 users, then it will not solve your problem. HOWEVER, to counter some advice previously given, Windows 2003 SBS is a wonderful product for small businesses that wish to keep their costs down (Liscencing, hardware, maintainence) and do not need to spend all the extra cash for maintaining multiple servers. Having said that, you MIGHT be able to get arround the 75 user issue. You can do a PER USER licensing scehma, so if you have less then 75 USERS, then you would be ok. So, if your network has say 60 users, on 85 computers, then you should be fine.
http://www.microsoft.com/w
So, what this really boils down to is this. How severe are your server requirements. If you find that you are taxing your servers quite a bit, then SBS is not for you. However, if you are looking to streamline, cut ongoing costs (Reduced power consumption, backing up 1 server instead of 2, Less user confusion (Where is my file again?) Ease of management) then perhaps SBS is a great option for you. I really do like SBS, especially for small businesses. It really is a great product, especially the premium edition that gives you a SQL license, and ISA server (once you add those 2 to the mix, licenses start getting a lot cheaper on the SBS platform).
I would just look at some server performance reports, and make sure one of your current servers can handle the workload. If so, it might just be worth moving to.
In terms of security, ISA server is a very under appreciated product. If you go with SBS, I highly recommend going premium edition, as ISA server PROPERLY CONFIGURED, will help you to keep running the tight ship you are already running. Since it's initial release there have been 4 real security problems with it, and all of those have been patched. Set it up right, and you have a tightly secured product. Like ANY other security product, configure it wrong, and you might as well invite evil-doers to come over and make them selves comfortable at your workstation.
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by: leewPosted on 2005-12-20 at 11:26:19ID: 15521102
Business Server? Do you mean Small Business Server? If so, then no, your company is too big for that - maximum concurrent users on an SBS system is 75 users.