Windows Server Essentials (formerly Windows Small Business Server or SBS) is an integrated server suite from Microsoft designed for running network infrastructure (both intranet management and Internet access) of small and midsize businesses having no more than 25 users or 50 devices. Application server technologies are tightly integrated to provide, e.g., the Remote Web Workplace, and offer management benefits such as integrated setup, enhanced monitoring, a unified management console, and remote access.
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 OS.
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
Editions
Windows Server 2016 Essentials, based on Windows Server 2016 is the current version of Server Essentials, released in September 2016 with general availability October 12, 2016.
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials was the latest version of Windows Server Essentials (formerly Windows Small Business Server Essentials) as of June 2016.
Older versions: Windows Server is available in Essentials, Standard, and Premium editions. Essentials is a scaled down version for 1 to 25 users; both the other editions are based on the Windows Server codebase and include Microsoft Exchange Server mail server, Internet Information Services (IIS) web server, Windows SharePoint Services for collaboration, Microsoft 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. In December 2008, Microsoft also introduced a Windows Essential Business Server product aimed at medium-sized businesses, but this was discontinued in June 2010 due to low demand.
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Design and licensing considerations
Windows Small Business Server has its own type of client access license (CAL), and includes the user CALs for Windows Server, Exchange Server and SQL Server; the SBS CAL costs more than the Windows Server license, but less than separate licenses for the three servers.
Windows Small Business Server has the following design restrictions:
- Only one computer in the domain can be running Windows Small Business Server. The domain supports multiple servers (including additional domain controllers) running any other operating system, such as Windows Server Standard Edition, but only one SBS.
- Windows Small Business Server must be the root of the Active Directory 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 the type of CAL.
- All Windows Small Business Server versions up to SBS 2003 are limited to no more than 4 GB of RAM. 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 x86-64 (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 use.
- 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 must have fewer than 75 PCs and/or users.
- Only the Remote Desktop for Administration mode is available because Small Business Server always runs on the domain controller, and only two simultaneous RDP 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 2011 Premium add-on 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.
Unique features
- Remote Web Workplace
- POP3 Connector (for Exchange Server)
- Shared Modem Service (Modem server, not supported in Small Business Server 2003 and later)
Versions
- October 22, 1997 - BackOffice Small Business Server 4.0
- May 24, 1999 - BackOffice Small Business Server 4.5
- February 21, 2001 - Microsoft Small Business Server 2000
- October 9, 2003 - Windows Small Business Server 2003 (codenamed Bobcat)
- July 29, 2006 - Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2
- August 21, 2008 - Windows Small Business Server 2008 (codenamed Cougar)
- December 13, 2010 - Windows Small Business Server 2011
- October 10, 2012 - Windows Server 2012 Essentials
- September 9, 2013 - Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials
- October 12, 2016 - Windows Server 2016 Essentials
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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