windows 2003 server vs. small busines server
What is the difference between windows 2003 server and small business server?
Is the difference similar to the difference between the 2 operating systems windows XP Pro and Windows XP Home or are the feature differences not as vast?
Why would one want windows 2003 server over small business server? I assume both require the additional purchase of user licenses?
Is the difference similar to the difference between the 2 operating systems windows XP Pro and Windows XP Home or are the feature differences not as vast?
Why would one want windows 2003 server over small business server? I assume both require the additional purchase of user licenses?
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Lee W, MVP
I cannot agree. I understand the frustration SBS can bring to an experienced admin (it happened to me), but I cannot recommend to a client or someone else that they spend more than double on products that, should the admin leave, will be more difficult to manage. The Admin has to adjust to the technology that is right for the company... and small businesses, with rare exception, are right to use SBS.
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Lee,
I dont debate the merits of SBS for small business, which is why i made a point to clarify that, I role out continously and reccomend often SBS - As long as the business isnt going to grow,. I have a client who was issues with SBS initially and now in the space of 12 months has 5 branch offices across Australia ans to be quite frank, SBS is now a royal PITA for them
I think a comment you made on a post a while back about SBS being great if you dont know anything has stuck in my head as my boss now refers to me as an SBS snob....
I dont debate the merits of SBS for small business, which is why i made a point to clarify that, I role out continously and reccomend often SBS - As long as the business isnt going to grow,. I have a client who was issues with SBS initially and now in the space of 12 months has 5 branch offices across Australia ans to be quite frank, SBS is now a royal PITA for them
I think a comment you made on a post a while back about SBS being great if you dont know anything has stuck in my head as my boss now refers to me as an SBS snob....
That's when the transition pack comes in - if you outgrow SBS, you get the transition pack. And I will absolutely grant you, if you expect the business to grow within 2-3 years beyond the SBS 75 user limit, then it's better off going with the full products right out of the gate. But, most small businesses I've know don't grow nearly that fast...
Yes, I've been quite pleased with myself on that quote - mentioned it to more than one person at the MVP summit...
"SBS is VERY Easy... Provided you don't know what you are doing" (Though I had to clarify it at the summit... the quote applies to people who have never worked with SBS before).
Yes, I've been quite pleased with myself on that quote - mentioned it to more than one person at the MVP summit...
"SBS is VERY Easy... Provided you don't know what you are doing" (Though I had to clarify it at the summit... the quote applies to people who have never worked with SBS before).
lol i like it - have you quoted that to Jeff, I am sure he would enjoy it. / hunt you down :)
Jay_Jay70,
"I have a client who was issues with SBS initially and now in the space of 12 months has 5 branch offices across Australia ans to be quite frank, SBS is now a royal PITA for them"
This is why the Transition Pack exists. There is NO risk in first deploying an SBS for a company that "might" grow out of it. The Transition Pack costs EXACTLY the same as the difference between SBS and Stand-Alone Server Licensing, and it allows an SBS to be broken up into individual servers. There's never a situation where you would be stuck with SBS or where it would be significantly more costly to move out of it. Info at http://sbsurl.com/transition
Funny about the comment on your quote... I think I've said something similar on this site... but more like "SBS is VERY easy... provided you RTFM". :-)
So as a response to dastaub... if you currently have NO server and have less than 50 workstations then you should get SBS. (yes, there's a limit of 75, but if you're over 50 you shouldn't go the SBS route to start with). Even if you needed an additional server to allow for Terminal Services, you would still be better off with SBS than without... and as stated above, if you do find that you are limited with SBS (doubtful if you don't have a server currently) you can always transition out of it.
Jeff
TechSoEasy
"I have a client who was issues with SBS initially and now in the space of 12 months has 5 branch offices across Australia ans to be quite frank, SBS is now a royal PITA for them"
This is why the Transition Pack exists. There is NO risk in first deploying an SBS for a company that "might" grow out of it. The Transition Pack costs EXACTLY the same as the difference between SBS and Stand-Alone Server Licensing, and it allows an SBS to be broken up into individual servers. There's never a situation where you would be stuck with SBS or where it would be significantly more costly to move out of it. Info at http://sbsurl.com/transition
Funny about the comment on your quote... I think I've said something similar on this site... but more like "SBS is VERY easy... provided you RTFM". :-)
So as a response to dastaub... if you currently have NO server and have less than 50 workstations then you should get SBS. (yes, there's a limit of 75, but if you're over 50 you shouldn't go the SBS route to start with). Even if you needed an additional server to allow for Terminal Services, you would still be better off with SBS than without... and as stated above, if you do find that you are limited with SBS (doubtful if you don't have a server currently) you can always transition out of it.
Jeff
TechSoEasy
oops... I read the quote in leew's comment, but totally skipped over his info about the Transition Pack. (Selective "listening"?). Sorry about that.
Jeff
TechSoEasy
Jeff
TechSoEasy
:) i had read about transitioning a little in the past, but after Lee's comment, i am having a more detailed look into it for our client.....
Its always going to have people that dont like the package, i see the benefits and can see how you guys can master it, i just cant get my head around those wizards....i want to do it my way! lol! Stubborn Stubborn admin :)
If i put a negative twist on the question i apologise to all
Its always going to have people that dont like the package, i see the benefits and can see how you guys can master it, i just cant get my head around those wizards....i want to do it my way! lol! Stubborn Stubborn admin :)
If i put a negative twist on the question i apologise to all
Thanks dastaub,
Cheers,
--Rob
Cheers,
--Rob
Jay - I really do understand - I still fight the urge to do things the "old way" - but since I'm trying to benefit my clients and I have a personal policy of not doing things in a way that another consultant wouldn't understand (when possible), I HAVE to adjust my thinking...
A valuable point Lee and one that i will take with me - Thank you....
James,
I might add, just as an aside, that Lee's last point is what I think brought he and I together on this topic. That is, we can't ever take the position that we will be around forever... whether physically, or just in maintaining the business relationship... and the last thing I want to have happen is for another consultant to come along behind me and say, "what in the world is going on here"? This is even why I use the recommended IP Subnet for SBS of 192.168.16.0/24 (with SBS using 192.168.16.2) because to be quite honest, there's no good reason not to. And if there is, then fine... do what's necessary... but when the ONLY reason to do something in a manner other than the SBS recommended practice is because of personal preference? I think you get my point.
SBS deployments require being trained not only in the technology, but in the philosophy of small business. Microsoft did a TON of research to find out what was important to small businesses... and then designed SBS around those needs. The central theme that came out of all that research was to keep it easy to manage, at the lowest possible cost. Obviously, Microsoft has done their part in those areas... so, now it's up to us to do our best and not screw it up. :-)
Jeff
TechSoEasy
I might add, just as an aside, that Lee's last point is what I think brought he and I together on this topic. That is, we can't ever take the position that we will be around forever... whether physically, or just in maintaining the business relationship... and the last thing I want to have happen is for another consultant to come along behind me and say, "what in the world is going on here"? This is even why I use the recommended IP Subnet for SBS of 192.168.16.0/24 (with SBS using 192.168.16.2) because to be quite honest, there's no good reason not to. And if there is, then fine... do what's necessary... but when the ONLY reason to do something in a manner other than the SBS recommended practice is because of personal preference? I think you get my point.
SBS deployments require being trained not only in the technology, but in the philosophy of small business. Microsoft did a TON of research to find out what was important to small businesses... and then designed SBS around those needs. The central theme that came out of all that research was to keep it easy to manage, at the lowest possible cost. Obviously, Microsoft has done their part in those areas... so, now it's up to us to do our best and not screw it up. :-)
Jeff
TechSoEasy
Jeff,
I see what you mean. I have only recently converted to working with small businesses in the last 6 months and i must admin its a very different world from what i am used too...Suddenly costs and limitations are in the way and that makes it a completely different ball game :) The point about not being around is very good as i am the one that currently audits networks for new clients previously looked after by other IT mobs and sometimes i am shocked at what i see.....Best practice is indeed best practice
Heres to going back to corporate environments and leaving the SME industry to those with the proper thinking patterns! I lack the SME business understanding i think
Thanks to both of you lads for the resfreshing view on things :) Have a great easter if i dont talk to you!
James
I see what you mean. I have only recently converted to working with small businesses in the last 6 months and i must admin its a very different world from what i am used too...Suddenly costs and limitations are in the way and that makes it a completely different ball game :) The point about not being around is very good as i am the one that currently audits networks for new clients previously looked after by other IT mobs and sometimes i am shocked at what i see.....Best practice is indeed best practice
Heres to going back to corporate environments and leaving the SME industry to those with the proper thinking patterns! I lack the SME business understanding i think
Thanks to both of you lads for the resfreshing view on things :) Have a great easter if i dont talk to you!
James