Windows 2003 Small Business Server RC2

[Pandamonium]

The official MS website states that a 750MHz CPU is the minimum for R2.

However, MS also stipulates a 300MHz CPU minimum for Windows 2003 Small Business Server w/ SP1, which, after sufficient software updates, is identical to R2 AFAIK.

I have a spare 550MHz box or 700MHz box I want to use. Will 2003 SBS R2 NOT INSTALL given these CPUs, or will it just not perform as well? If it won't install, which updates can I not install over SP1 because of my CPU?

FYI, this is for personal use in my apartment.

 

[stash]

You can't make SP1 identical to R2. You can install WSUS on SP1, but it will not be "SBS'ized" like the WSUS in R2. There are also other changes that can't be done period, such as the increase to the Exchange store limits, the licensing changes, etc.

That said, I don't know if the installer will prevent you from installing if you don't meet the minimums. I wouldn't want to run SBS on minimum hardware, even for a home network, and especially not with R2.

But give it a shot on the 700Mhz box, you've got nothing to lose if you've already got the software.

 

[Pandamonium]

I don't have a copy of SBS on hand, but I would hate to drop $500 only to learn that I need to rebudget for two new machines instead of one and change.

Edit: So does anyone have a copy of SBS R2 that they can try installing on a machine below the minimum CPU requirement of 750MHz?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: stash
There are also other changes that can't be done period, such as the increase to the Exchange store limits...

Stash,
What Exchange Store limits are you referring to? Something other than the 75GB Private Store limit, which applies to all Exchange 2003 SP2 installations?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Pandamonium
Edit: So does anyone have a copy of SBS R2 that they can try installing on a machine below the minimum CPU requirement of 750MHz?

You could try one of the Yahoo SBS groups, or one of the Microsoft-hosted NewsGroups and see if anybody knows.

Otherwise, order the SBS 2003 R2 Trial Software (180 day) and try it for yourself.

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: Pandamonium
I don't have a copy of SBS on hand, but I would hate to drop $500 only to learn that I need to rebudget for two new machines instead of one and change.

Edit: So does anyone have a copy of SBS R2 that they can try installing on a machine below the minimum CPU requirement of 750MHz?

I've just installed SBS R2 on a 700Mhz machine without any problems. It's only for a test environment so it's not going to be that heavily used but performance seems fine so far (AD and Exchange set up nicely).

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: Pandamonium
I don't have a copy of SBS on hand, but I would hate to drop $500 only to learn that I need to rebudget for two new machines instead of one and change.

Edit: So does anyone have a copy of SBS R2 that they can try installing on a machine below the minimum CPU requirement of 750MHz?

Edit: Damn double post 😀

 

[stash]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: stash
There are also other changes that can't be done period, such as the increase to the Exchange store limits...

Stash,
What Exchange Store limits are you referring to? Something other than the 75GB Private Store limit, which applies to all Exchange 2003 SP2 installations?

Er, yeah. You're right, my bad 😱

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: spherrod
I've just installed SBS R2 on a 700Mhz machine without any problems. It's only for a test environment so it's not going to be that heavily used but performance seems fine so far (AD and Exchange set up nicely).

Yeah. Microsoft usually doesn't "enforce" system limits during an install. I've believe I've installed SBS 2003 into a 128MB Virtual PC window without consequences, other than the fact that it took forever to actually DO anything inside the Server software.

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: spherrod
I've just installed SBS R2 on a 700Mhz machine without any problems. It's only for a test environment so it's not going to be that heavily used but performance seems fine so far (AD and Exchange set up nicely).

Yeah. Microsoft usually doesn't "enforce" system limits during an install. I've believe I've installed SBS 2003 into a 128MB Virtual PC window without consequences, other than the fact that it took forever to actually DO anything inside the Server software.

lol - that was very brave of you. Have to say though, SBS is a fantastic solution all round