Don’t underestimate Small Business Server 2008’s power. Don’t underestimate its convoluted requirements either.
For something that is targeted at companies with no dedicated IT person/department SBS 2008 sure is complicated. Here is the long list of hardware requirements and network design restrictions:
- Only one machine in the domain can be running SBS 2008 – there can be other servers but they can’t be running SBS.
- The SBS 2008 server must be the root of the Active Directory forest
- It Cannot have any child domains
- The SBS Server cannot trust any other Active Directory forests or domains
- Can only have a total of 75 CALs (either user CALs or device CALs – see below)
- Tape based backup is not supported (Whoo hoo!)
- Must run on 64-bit hardware (blame exchange)
- Minimum of 60 GB of available disk space
- Minimum of 4 GB Ram
- At least a 2 GHz single core processor or 1.5 GHz or faster multi-core processor
So is Microsoft just trying to line the pockets of IT consultants? Maybe, but most instances of SBS 2008 will be pre-installed by the OEM so at lease you don’t need to worry about the hardware requirements.
CALs – Expansive Expensive Paperwork
Client Access Licenses for SBS 2008 are not actually installed anywhere. This means they only exist on paper, but we still must take care to become and stay compliant. I found a humorous but accurate article by the SBS Diva explaining what exactly to do with your CALs: Take your CALs and shove them…in a safe.
While SBS allows for up to 75 CALs, a business that needs stretching above 50 CALs should start thinking about a different server solution. Here is a quick rundown of the many many different kinds of Client Access Licenses.
Device CAL – Picture a library or a school. They may have a lab with 10 machines but have thousands of users. In this case they would want to purchase licenses per device and not per user.
User CAL – This is for when a company has a set number of users, but the users can be accessing the server from many locations such as home, work, or a smartphone.
Premium User CAL– This is for use with the premium version of SBS. Not all CALs used with SBS 2008 Premium need to be premium CALs. Only users that access SQL need premium CALs.
Premium Device CALs – Same as above but per device not per user.
Outlook CAL – I want to mention that Microsoft Outlook CALs are not included with SBS 2008 (they were in previous versions).
An organization does not need to choose only one type of CAL. They can pick and choose according to their needs. Note that CALS are sold is packs of 1, 5, and 20 so plan accordingly.
But Don’t Underestimate SBS 2008
I know that I have just been whining about SBS, but that doesn’t mean I think it is an inferior product. In fact I think that it is often undervalued. If you think that SBS 2008 is just a dumbed down version of Server 2008 you are mistaken. Here is what you get with SBS 2008:
SBS 2008 Standard Edition
- A full versions of Windows Server 2008 Standard (so most programs that run of Server 2008 will run on SBS 2008)
- A full version of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007
- A full versions of Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server
- Windows Server Updates Services
- Microsoft Office Live Small Business
SBS 2008 Premium Edition
- Everything in SBS 2008 Standard Edition
- An additional copy of Windows Server 2008
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008 – Standard Edition (can be virtual)
It is arguable that SBS 2008 is so robust it might even be overkill for a “small business.” How is this possible when we all know that you aren’t supposed to put all those server roles on one machine? Well Microsoft has done the prep work to magically make them work together just fine.
And don’t start complaining about being confined and oppressed by all those wizards. Train Signal Instructor and Microsoft MVP Dave Shackelford put it this way:
If you are just trying to drive from point A to point B why would you go off roading when you can just follow the streets? They are well known, properly maintained, and cause less wear and tear on your vehicle. Sure a little rally riding is fun from time to time but you wouldn’t do it on your daily commute. Don’t worry thrill seekers – with SBS 2008 you have the option of going off road!
David Shackelford and I are working on some first class SBS 2008 training for you right now. Sign up for updates to find out more info as it becomes available.