Help. Which version of Windows Server is right for me?

[SuperShaz]

I've had a terrible time trying to find information on Windows Server 2003. I was going to buy a Dell with SBS 2003 and I tried to ask the Dell rep a few questions, and he told me to ask microsoft. I spent hours on the microsoft site trying to figure how to contact them and I never did.

Anyway, I'm in a small office of about 8 people. Right now we all have computers and are networked using basic windows networking. We don't need a mail server. We don't need a SQL server. The only thing we need is a file server so that we can back people up, because we have had problems recently with people's HDs crashing and they don't all have CDRW drives.

I'm extremely worried that we will spend money on Small Business Server 2003 and not get enough "CALs" and it would alienate people from being able to get on the network. Is that a fair worry? Right now everyone is connected to our network, but I read that SBS 2003 requires itself to be the domain controller, so in order for people to get on the network they would need to connect to the server, which means I'd have to have lots of CALs. Sure, 10 CALs would be enough for now, but what about when visitors bring their laptops in? And I'd be paying an extra $500 for every 5 pack of CALS just so that people could share files, when they can do that for free right now anyway. Since I don't need Exchange or SQL Server, SBS 2003 is sounding worse and worse.

I noticed that Windows Server 2003 standard costs a little more up front, but the CALs seem to cost less. Does anyone know if it requires itself to be on a domain?

Another option is Windows Storage Server, which doesn't need CALs. Does anyone know if it will work on my current network?

Thanks for any advice you guys can give me.

- SuperShaz

 

[NogginBoink]

First off, you absolutely want a domain controller. Whether it's SBS or a vanilla server, you want to be in a domain. Machines in a workgroup get absolutely unmanageable VERY quickly. A domain makes things a LOT easier.

As your office grows, your need for a domain grows even more. I couldn't imagine administrating a 10+ computer network in a workgroup. It's just impossible. With a domain you get so many advantages that will make things a lot easier.

I'm not a licensing expert, but CALs are needed for clients to connect to the server. Your client operating systems might come with a CAL; I'm really not sure.

An SBS CAL does, I think, include CALs for file sharing, database access, email access, etc. A plain Windows Server CAL allows file sharing access. If you want your users to have access to a database you have to get separate SQL CALs. Same for Exchange. I realize this isn't important to you now, but do you foresee a need for either database or email access in your company?

Lastly, the OS doesn't really enforce CALs. So there's nothing that forces you (other than integrity) to buy CALs.

If you really only need file sharing, Windows 2003 Server, Standard Edition would be fine. If you want ISA Server (firewall to the internet), SQL Server, or Exchange Server, get SBS.

 

[Sianath]

Windows doesn't "enforce" CAL usage, but SBS does.

Do not purchase retail license packs (or retail ANYTHING) for servers. Go with an Open License agreement (regardless of what you choose) and it will be much cheaper for you. You can get the exact number of CALs you need and the cost is lower than retail.

If you want someone to walk you through all your options and help you figure out what would work best, call 800-426-9400. That's our pre-sales/licensing team. They don't sell ANYTHING, just provide information, so don't worry about the salesman pitch. When you are ready to purchase something, they will help you find a reseller for that.

If you ask them, they can provide part numbers and ERP (estimated retail prices) on everything you need as well, so when you are ready to buy, you can just list the part numbers and not worry about the reseller accidently picking something you don't really need.

 

[SuperShaz]

Thanks for the info guys.