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Difference between SBS 2011 Std and SBS 2011 Premium Add-On

Hi,

I was going to buy one SBS2011 Std (for Exchange Server & File Server) and a separate Windows 2008 R2 Std. (for Terminal Services). But I was told that I could buy SBS 2011 Premium Add-On, then it comes with Windows 2008 R2 for free. I don't need SQL server however. Is it a good decision to buy SBS 2011 Premium Add-On (2XG-00001)?
What baggage does SBS 2011 Premium Add-On comes with uncessarily?

Thanks.

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Sushil Sonawane

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SOLUTION

Rob Williams

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sglee

ASKER

I was considering SBS2011 premium add-on was because I found a seller off Ebay for < $800 whereas if I go with SBS2011 Std ($800) + W2008 R2 ($800) = $1,600.
I have 10 users in the office. Both products come with 5 CAL standard and I need to buy 5 additional licenses. The street price of Premium add-on 5 user CAL is about $350 where as Standard 5 user CAL is about $250.

Rob Williams

That is risky and not a fair comparison.

Keep in mind, many have bought software on Ebay to find it pirated, or already registered and cannot be re-registered, or OEM software that is being resold illegitimately and Microsoft discovers it a year later and fines the end user. Some will even install, activate, and at 30 days advise it is pirated.

There is no downside to the Premium add-on, only the cost of it and the CAL's. If you buy the premium add-on and don't want SQL don't install it. All it is is 2008 R2 + SQL with licensing limitations.

Sushil Sonawane

Better way you buy from Microsoft or authorise distributor.

Rob Williams

Regarding "licensing limitations" I should have elaborated. The premium add-on copy of Server 2008 R2 and SQL can only be used in an SBS 2011 domain. If later you remove SBS or migrate to a newer version you also loose the ability to use the 2008 R2 and SQL licenses that came with the premium add-on.

sglee

ASKER

I hear your concerns regarding buying these off the ebay.
From amazon.com, I found:

SBS2011 STD: $730 + Windows 2008 Std R2 : $630 + Std 5 CAL: $250 = $1,610
SBS2011 Premium: $1,000 + Premium Add-on 5 CAL: $330 = $1,330

I can see savings when going with premium. Again I don't use SQL. Unless Premium version take extra ordinary amount of RAM, disk space, and installation difficulty with Premium, I am leaning towards to $1,330 over $1,610.

What do you think?

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Rob Williams

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sglee

ASKER

Thank you for your advise.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Cliff Galiher

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Rob Williams

Good catch Cliff, I wasn't looking at the math. I assumed sglee realized that in either scenario they had to buy SBS standard, though I did point out what the premium add-on included.

sglee

ASKER

I am glad you pointed that out. Yes I can see that. Even if I buy the premium add on, I would still need a sbs2011 license. I originally thought that the premium version comes withsbs2011 and w2008 R2.
Thanks for the correction.

Rob Williams

Understandable confusion as SBS 2003 and 2008 were available as Standard or Premium versions, but 2011 is as it states, an add-on.

sglee

ASKER

Thank you.