Server 2008 vs. SBS 2008

[smo]

What are the benefits or drawbacks of each of the 2 operating systems mentioned above?

It will be used in a small business with 5 employees - the only real reason i'm looking to change from our current setup (running XP as a server) is because i wish to leave it on 24/7 for VPN and remote access and XP really isnt upto the job as it grinds to a halt after 48hrs.

I would also like to use roaming profiles as currently i have a machine i use as "mine" but my new staff will need to use this for input and obviously i dont want them accessing my stuff, and i could end up on any free machine where i can find a space (joys of a small business!)

Any help and advice would be appreciated.

[Leo-InstallingIT]

Small Business Server (SBS 2008) is built on the platform of Windows Server 2008.
The main difference between them is that with Windows Server 2008 you get just the operating system (plus server roles etc), where as with SBS 2008 you get other applications included. The main application included with SBS is Exchange, so you can host your emails on the server. Depending on the version you get, SQL server may also be included (premium).

If you want to use exchange (and for everyone that accesses the server) its definitely worth getting SBS, purely from a price point of view.

Many Thanks

Leo

[KM-Tiger]

You don't have to use a Microsoft operating system.

File sharing with access control, VPN, email, and much, much more can all be done with Open Source software that will cost you nothing in licence fees. And as your business grows, there are no further licence fees to pay. More info on our offering here (http://www.tiger-computing.co.uk/services/tiger-business-servers.html).

There a few other things to consider if you are growing your business and want to get IT properly sorted. Anti virus, backup and internet access control would be high on the list.

[Alex@Iansprint]

We have a Dell Poweredge running SBS2003 and (touch wood!) it does everything you require! It was also very efficient to install, and maintenance has proved quite reasonable. SBS would be a good move, IMO.

[smo]

We have a Dell Poweredge running SBS2003 and (touch wood!) it does everything you require! It was also very efficient to install, and maintenance has proved quite reasonable. SBS would be a good move, IMO.

Can i ask which server you have?

KM-Tiger - I understand where you are coming from but i would prefer to stick with MS as i know it well and the software i run will definately work on MS platforms, there are no guarentees on any others as its bespoke.

As far as AV, backup and Internet control, AV is sorted, Backup is sketchy but works for our currently solution and 'net control is all managed by our new Draytek 2820n router :)

[Leo-InstallingIT]

Just as an aside, don't forget you need 64bit & 4 GB of RAM (ideally a bit more) for SBS2008.

Many Thanks

Leo

[Alex@Iansprint]

IIRC, it's a Dell Poweredge 2600. We didn't need the best of the best, so managed to pick it up second hand for approx £400, and installation is well documented on the internet. I recommend the SmallBizServer forum! Alternatively, source a bargain and use a professional like Leo!

[Jim2k]

We have put 3 SBS2008 servers in recently and they have all be warmly received by the clients. 2 were upgrading from SBS2003 and one was a first server. Get yourself a nice Dell PE T110 and you should be able to do it for just over £1000. Feel free to give me a shout for advice.