Microsoft Small Business Server
Encyclopedia
Windows Small Business Server (SBS) (formerly Microsoft Small Business Server) is an integrated server suite from Microsoft
designed for running network infrastructure (both intranet
management and Internet
access) of small and medium enterprises having no more than 75 workstations or users. Application server technologies are tightly integrated to enable small businesses with targeted solutions such as the Remote Web Workplace, and offer management benefits such as integrated setup, enhanced monitoring, a unified management console
, and remote access.
Windows Small Business Server is technically not an 'edition' of the Windows Server operating system but rather a customized SKU of server technologies targeted specifically at small businesses. As such, the application servers are not merely bundled with the OS but are tightly integrated into the operating system. Since the release of SBS 2003, the same service packs as those for Windows Server
or other server products can be used to update the OShttp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=95AC1610-C232-4644-B828-C55EEC605D55&displaylang=en&pf=true http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=b6f8a4c0-b707-4161-adeb-44f1b756119f&displaylang=en&pf=true.
codebase and include Microsoft Exchange Server
mail server, Internet Information Services
(IIS) web server
, Windows SharePoint Services for collaboration, Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 email client (not included in 2008), Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), Windows Server Update Services
for update management across the network, and a Fax server
. Up to SBS 2003, the Premium edition also included Microsoft SQL Server
, Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server
and Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003. SBS 2008 Premium edition will not include ISA Server but will include a Windows Server 2008 license and SQL Server 2008 for running on a second server. Those upgrading to SBS 2008 Premium edition via Software Assurance will be compensated with a free license for the latest version of ISA Server.
The version of Windows Server that is part of Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008, known as Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions (WinWESS) (also known as Windows Server 2008 Standard FE) is available outside the product suite, supporting a maximum of 15 Client Access Licenses.
Initially, Small Business Server was marketed as an edition of Microsoft BackOffice Server
. When Windows 2000
was released, it was marketed as Microsoft Small Business Server 2000, and finally was rebranded as a member of the Windows Server 2003
family. Microsoft has also introduced a Windows Essential Business Server
product aimed at medium-sized businesses, which will now incorporate the next version of ISA Server instead of SBS.
(CAL), that is different and costs slightly more than CALs for the usual editions of the Windows Server operating system. However, the SBS CAL encompasses the user CALs for Windows Server, Exchange Server and SQL Server, and hence is less expensive than buying all the other CALs individually.
Windows Small Business Server has the following design restrictions:
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
designed for running network infrastructure (both intranet
Intranet
An intranet is a computer network that uses Internet Protocol technology to securely share any part of an organization's information or network operating system within that organization. The term is used in contrast to internet, a network between organizations, and instead refers to a network...
management and Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
access) of small and medium enterprises having no more than 75 workstations or users. Application server technologies are tightly integrated to enable small businesses with targeted solutions such as the Remote Web Workplace, and offer management benefits such as integrated setup, enhanced monitoring, a unified management console
Microsoft Management Console
Microsoft Management Console is a component of Windows 2000 and its successors that provides system administrators and advanced users an interface for configuring and monitoring the system.- Snap-ins and consoles :...
, and remote access.
Windows Small Business Server is technically not an 'edition' of the Windows Server operating system but rather a customized SKU of server technologies targeted specifically at small businesses. As such, the application servers are not merely bundled with the OS but are tightly integrated into the operating system. Since the release of SBS 2003, the same service packs as those for Windows Server
Windows Server
Windows Server is a brand name for a group of server operating systems released by Microsoft Corporation. All are part of Microsoft Servers.- Members :This brand includes the following software:* Windows 2000 Server* Windows Server 2003...
or other server products can be used to update the OShttp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=95AC1610-C232-4644-B828-C55EEC605D55&displaylang=en&pf=true http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=b6f8a4c0-b707-4161-adeb-44f1b756119f&displaylang=en&pf=true.
Editions
Windows Small Business Server is available in Standard and Premium editions. Both editions are based on the Windows ServerWindows Server
Windows Server is a brand name for a group of server operating systems released by Microsoft Corporation. All are part of Microsoft Servers.- Members :This brand includes the following software:* Windows 2000 Server* Windows Server 2003...
codebase and include Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server is the server side of a client–server, collaborative application product developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Servers line of server products and is used by enterprises using Microsoft infrastructure products...
mail server, Internet Information Services
Internet Information Services
Internet Information Services – formerly called Internet Information Server – is a web server application and set of feature extension modules created by Microsoft for use with Microsoft Windows. It is the most used web server after Apache HTTP Server. IIS 7.5 supports HTTP, HTTPS,...
(IIS) web server
Web server
Web server can refer to either the hardware or the software that helps to deliver content that can be accessed through the Internet....
, Windows SharePoint Services for collaboration, Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 email client (not included in 2008), Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), Windows Server Update Services
Windows Server Update Services
- External links :* * * – contains many detailed documents on WSUS operation, known issues, and troubleshooting* - German WSUS-Community * - Control installation of WSUS updates from command line...
for update management across the network, and a Fax server
Fax server
A fax server is a system installed in a local area network server that allows computer users whose computers are attached to the LAN to send and receive fax messages...
. Up to SBS 2003, the Premium edition also included Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database server, developed by Microsoft: It is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications, be it those on the same computer or those running on another computer across a network...
, Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server
Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server
Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway , formerly known as Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server , is a network security and protection solution for Microsoft Windows, described by Microsoft as "enables businesses by allowing employees to safely and productively use the...
and Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003. SBS 2008 Premium edition will not include ISA Server but will include a Windows Server 2008 license and SQL Server 2008 for running on a second server. Those upgrading to SBS 2008 Premium edition via Software Assurance will be compensated with a free license for the latest version of ISA Server.
The version of Windows Server that is part of Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008, known as Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions (WinWESS) (also known as Windows Server 2008 Standard FE) is available outside the product suite, supporting a maximum of 15 Client Access Licenses.
Initially, Small Business Server was marketed as an edition of Microsoft BackOffice Server
Microsoft BackOffice Server
Microsoft BackOffice Server was a computer software package featuring Windows NT Server and other Microsoft server products that ran on NT server. It was marketed during the 1990s and early 2000s for use in branch operations and for small businesses to run their back office operations.The small...
. When Windows 2000
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15 December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the...
was released, it was marketed as Microsoft Small Business Server 2000, and finally was rebranded as a member of the Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft, introduced on 24 April 2003. An updated version, Windows Server 2003 R2, was released to manufacturing on 6 December 2005...
family. Microsoft has also introduced a Windows Essential Business Server
Windows Essential Business Server
Windows Essential Business Server 2008 was Microsoft's server offering for mid-size businesses . It was released to manufacturing on 16 September 2008 and was officially launched on the 12 December 2008...
product aimed at medium-sized businesses, which will now incorporate the next version of ISA Server instead of SBS.
Design and licensing considerations
Windows Small Business Server has its own type of Client Access LicenseClient Access License
A Client Access License is a proprietary software license distributed by software companies such as Microsoft to allow clients to connect to its server software and use the software's services.-Software licensing introduction:...
(CAL), that is different and costs slightly more than CALs for the usual editions of the Windows Server operating system. However, the SBS CAL encompasses the user CALs for Windows Server, Exchange Server and SQL Server, and hence is less expensive than buying all the other CALs individually.
Windows Small Business Server has the following design restrictions:
- Only one computer in the domainWindows Server domainA Windows domain is a collection of security principals that share a central directory database. This central database contains the user accounts and security information for...
can be running Windows Small Business Server. That is not to say that the domain only supports a single server. The domain supports multiple servers (including additional domain controllers) running any other operating system, such as Windows Server Standard Edition. - Windows Small Business Server must be the root of the Active DirectoryActive DirectoryActive Directory is a directory service created by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is included in most Windows Server operating systems. Server computers on which Active Directory is running are called domain controllers....
forest. - Windows Small Business Server cannot trust any other domains. It cannot have any child domains.
- Windows Small Business Server is limited to 75 users or devices depending on which type of CAL (SBS 2008 FE supports a maximum of 15 CALs).
- All Windows Small Business Server versions up to SBS 2003 are limited to 4 GB of RAMRam-Animals:*Ram, an uncastrated male sheep*Ram cichlid, a species of freshwater fish endemic to Colombia and Venezuela-Military:*Battering ram*Ramming, a military tactic in which one vehicle runs into another...
. 2008 requires a minimum of 4GB for installation, it needs more for performance. 2008 supports a maximum of 32GB. - Windows Small Business Server versions prior to Windows Small Business Server 2008 are only available for the x86 (32-bit) architecture.
- Windows Small Business Server 2008 is only available for the x86-64X86-64x86-64 is an extension of the x86 instruction set. It supports vastly larger virtual and physical address spaces than are possible on x86, thereby allowing programmers to conveniently work with much larger data sets. x86-64 also provides 64-bit general purpose registers and numerous other...
(64-bit) architecture. This is due to the requirements of Exchange Server 2007, whose production version is 64-bit only. The 32-bit version of Exchange Server 2007 is only supported for testing and non-production scenarios. - The SQL Server which comes with SBS 2008 is "SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition for Small Business.". It cannot be installed outside of a network that has a domain controller and fewer than 75 PCs and/or users.
- Only the Remote Desktop for AdministrationTerminal ServicesRemote Desktop Services in Windows Server 2008 R2, formerly known as Terminal Services in Windows Server 2008 and previous versions, is one of the components of Microsoft Windows that allows a user to access applications and data on a remote computer over a network, using the Remote Desktop...
mode is available because Small Business Server always runs on the domain controllerDomain controllerOn Windows Server Systems, a domain controller is a server that responds to security authentication requests within the Windows Server domain...
, and only two simultaneous RDPRemote Desktop ProtocolRemote Desktop Protocol is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft, which provides a user with a graphical interface to another computer. The protocol is an extension of the ITU-T T.128 application sharing protocol. Clients exist for most versions of Microsoft Windows , Linux, Unix, Mac OS...
sessions are allowed. (Change from SBS 2000 policy) Terminal Services in application sharing mode needs to be run on a second server on the network. This however is possible with SBS 2008 Premium edition which includes a Windows Server 2008 license for running the second server. - To remove these restrictions and upgrade to regular editions of Windows Server, Exchange Server, SQL Server and ISA Server, there is a Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Transition Pack.
Features unique to Small Business Server
- Remote Web Workplace
- POP3 ConnectorPOP3 ConnectorThe POP3 Connector is a piece of software included with Small Business Server versions of Microsoft Exchange Server that enables the server to fetch e-mail from external, 3rd party, POP3 servers.-Description:...
(for Exchange Server) - Shared ModemModemA modem is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data...
Service (Modem server, not supported in Small Business Server 2003 and later)
Versions
- October 22, 1997 – BackOffice Small Business Server 4.0
- based on Windows NT Server 4.0Windows NT 4.0Windows NT 4.0 is a preemptive, graphical and business-oriented operating system designed to work with either uniprocessor or symmetric multi-processor computers. It was the next release of Microsoft's Windows NT line of operating systems and was released to manufacturing on 31 July 1996...
SP3 and includes Exchange Server 5.0 SP1, IIS 3.0, SQL Server 6.5 SP3, Proxy Server 1.0, Internet ExplorerInternet ExplorerWindows Internet Explorer is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting in 1995. It was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 that year...
3.02 or 4.01, and Outlook 97; allows 25 client licenses.- May 24, 1999 – BackOffice Small Business Server 4.5
- based on Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4 and includes Exchange Server 5.5 SP2, IIS 4.0, SQL Server 7.0, Proxy Server 2.0, Internet Explorer 5.0, Outlook 2000, and FrontPageMicrosoft FrontPageMicrosoft FrontPage was a WYSIWYG HTML editor and web site administration tool from Microsoft for the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems. It was branded as part of the Microsoft Office suite from 1997 to 2003...
2000; allows 50 client licenses.- February 21, 2001 – Microsoft Small Business Server 2000
- based on Windows 2000 Server (including Internet Explorer 5.0 and IIS 5.0) and includes Exchange 2000 Server, SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition, Internet Security & Acceleration Server 2000, Outlook 2000 and FrontPage 2000; allows 50 client licenses.
- October 9, 2003 – Windows Small Business Server 2003 (codenamed Bobcat)
- based on Windows Server 2003Windows Server 2003Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft, introduced on 24 April 2003. An updated version, Windows Server 2003 R2, was released to manufacturing on 6 December 2005...
and includes Microsoft Exchange ServerMicrosoft Exchange ServerMicrosoft Exchange Server is the server side of a client–server, collaborative application product developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Servers line of server products and is used by enterprises using Microsoft infrastructure products...
2003, Microsoft OutlookMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft, available both as a separate application as well as a part of the Microsoft Office suite...
2003, Windows SharePoint Services 2.0, and optionally Microsoft SQL ServerMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft SQL Server is a relational database server, developed by Microsoft: It is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications, be it those on the same computer or those running on another computer across a network...
2000, ISA Server 2000 (upgrade to ISA Server 2004 in Small Business Server Premium SP1), and Microsoft FrontPageMicrosoft FrontPageMicrosoft FrontPage was a WYSIWYG HTML editor and web site administration tool from Microsoft for the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems. It was branded as part of the Microsoft Office suite from 1997 to 2003...
2003 in Premium edition; allows 75 client licenses. Service Pack 1 for Windows Small Business Server 2003 was released on July 25, 2005.- July 29, 2006 - Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2
- based on Windows Server 2003Windows Server 2003Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft, introduced on 24 April 2003. An updated version, Windows Server 2003 R2, was released to manufacturing on 6 December 2005...
(Not R2)http://www.winserverkb.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx/windows-server-sbs/79342/sbs-2003-R2-and-SFU and includes Microsoft Exchange ServerMicrosoft Exchange ServerMicrosoft Exchange Server is the server side of a client–server, collaborative application product developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Servers line of server products and is used by enterprises using Microsoft infrastructure products...
2003, Microsoft OutlookMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft, available both as a separate application as well as a part of the Microsoft Office suite...
2003, Windows SharePoint Services 2.0, and optionally Microsoft SQL ServerMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft SQL Server is a relational database server, developed by Microsoft: It is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications, be it those on the same computer or those running on another computer across a network...
2005 Workgroup Edition , ISA Server 2004, and Microsoft FrontPageMicrosoft FrontPageMicrosoft FrontPage was a WYSIWYG HTML editor and web site administration tool from Microsoft for the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems. It was branded as part of the Microsoft Office suite from 1997 to 2003...
2003 in Premium edition; allows 75 client licenses. A major addition is a built-in patch management solution optimized for small businesses, based on Microsoft Windows Server Update ServicesWindows Server Update Services- External links :* * * – contains many detailed documents on WSUS operation, known issues, and troubleshooting* - German WSUS-Community * - Control installation of WSUS updates from command line...
. Exchange database size limit is set to 18 GB by default but can be expanded to 75 GB using a registry key.- August 21, 2008 - Windows Small Business Server 2008 (codenamed Cougar)
- based on Windows Server 2008 and includes Microsoft Exchange ServerMicrosoft Exchange ServerMicrosoft Exchange Server is the server side of a client–server, collaborative application product developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Servers line of server products and is used by enterprises using Microsoft infrastructure products...
2007, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and 120-day trial subscriptions of new security products from Microsoft, namely, Forefront Security for ExchangeMicrosoft ForeFrontMicrosoft Forefront is a family of line-of-business security software by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Forefront products protect computer networks, network servers and individual devices....
and Windows Live OneCare for Server. The standard edition of SBS 2008 will be a single server solution for small businesses. The premium edition will contain a license for Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition, with the option to run SQL Server on either the main SBS server, or a second server. The premium edition will therefore be targeted at dual-server scenarios such as terminal services application sharing, Line of BusinessLine of BusinessLine of business is a general term which often refers to a set of one or more highly related products which service a particular customer transaction or business need....
applications, edge security, secondary domain controllers, and virtualization. In addition to features present in previous versions, new features include:- A streamlined administration and management console that is designed around tasks to be accomplished rather than underlying technologies
- Built-in support for registering and configuring domain nameDomain nameA domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control in the Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System ....
and DNS records via multiple registrars - Monitoring reports that gather data from both servers and clients on the network, including Security Center status (anti-virus, spyware, and client firewall) from all the clients
- New features in the Remote Web Workplace, such as the ability to define default and allowed PCs for each user
- Office Live Small BusinessMicrosoft Office LiveMicrosoft Office Live is a discontinued web-based service providing document sharing and website creation tools for consumers and small businesses...
integration for and configuring a public web site or extranet - New server backup features, based on the incremental block-based backup technology in Windows Server 2008 (tapeTape driveA tape drive is a data storage device that reads and performs digital recording, writes data on a magnetic tape. Magnetic tape data storage is typically used for offline, archival data storage. Tape media generally has a favorable unit cost and long archival stability.A tape drive provides...
backup no longer supported via native tools, but continues to be supported via 3rd parties) - SBS 2008 requires installation behind a separate network firewall device. In contrast with SBS 2003, it does not support being installed directly on the edge of the network, ISA ServerMicrosoft Internet Security and Acceleration ServerMicrosoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway , formerly known as Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server , is a network security and protection solution for Microsoft Windows, described by Microsoft as "enables businesses by allowing employees to safely and productively use the...
is no longer bundled and a dual-NIC configuration is not possible.
- SBS 2008 was released to manufacturing on August 21st, 2008 and was launched on November 12th, 2008. Windows Small Business Server 2008 supports organizations with up to 75 users or devices. A notable change from SBS 2003 is that CALsClient Access LicenseA Client Access License is a proprietary software license distributed by software companies such as Microsoft to allow clients to connect to its server software and use the software's services.-Software licensing introduction:...
are not enforced electronically.- December 13, 2010 - Windows Small Business Server 2011
- Microsoft announced two successors to the SBS series during WPC 2010, both based on Windows Server 2008 R2. One successor (code name "Aurora") supports a maximum of 25 users, removes the traditional on-premises components of Exchange, SharePoint and WSUS, and is oriented to attach cloud services. The other successor (code name "SBS 7") is the more direct successor of SBS 2008, and continues to support a maximum of 75 users, and will continue to include the next generation on-premises versions of Exchange, SharePoint and WSUS.
- Late in 2010, Microsoft announced the official branding for the 2011 wave. SBS "7" will be branded as Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard, and "Aurora" will introduce a new edition to the SBS product line: Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials. Additionally, changes to the premium edition were announced. Whereas formerly, the premium edition of SBS was packaged as a superset of the standard edition, in the 2011 wave it will be available as an add-on edition, containing standalone copies of SQL Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 R2, and available to add on to either SBS 2011 Essentials or Standard.
- In mid-December, Microsoft released Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard to Technet/MSDN Subscribers for evaluation. Microsoft has also announced that Windows SBS 2011 Standard will be available to Volume Licensing in Early January and as a Trial in Mid-January. Windows SBS 2011 Essentials is still going under testing. SBS 2011 requires an Internet connection.
See also
- Windows Home ServerWindows Home ServerWindows Home Server, code-named Quattro, is a home server operating system from Microsoft. Announced on 7 January 2007, at the Consumer Electronics Show by Bill Gates, Windows Home Server is intended to be a solution for homes with multiple connected PCs to offer file sharing, automated backups,...
- Windows MultiPoint Server
- Windows Essential Business ServerWindows Essential Business ServerWindows Essential Business Server 2008 was Microsoft's server offering for mid-size businesses . It was released to manufacturing on 16 September 2008 and was officially launched on the 12 December 2008...
External links
- Small Business Server 2003 home page
- Small Business Server 2008 home page
- Small Business Server main page
- Official Small Business Server blog
- Official Windows Small Business Community Web site
- Whitepaper Overview of Small Business Server for Enterprise IT Pros
- Introduction to Small Business Server on PCWorld.ca
- Small Business Server case history on PCWorld.ca
- Small Business Server training courses
- The Small Business Server FAQ Site
- MVP-managed Small Business Server Information Web site
- Official Microsoft Content for Windows Small Business Server