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XP Pro vs SBS 2003

Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
I've been "hired" by my father in-law to set up his new offices and warehouse with a small LAN.

Initially they will have 2 laptops and 2-3 workstations with eventually a total of ~10 users.

Im debating on the "server" OS to use in this situation. The server itself will simply be used for file sharing and for database sharing (Quickbooks, ACT etc.) that all the users will need to access through the course of the day. Very nominal load.

Initially I just thought of tossing XP on the "server" as it allows 10 connections, but I got to thinking is 1 user with 3 files open 1 or 3 "connections". I assume and think it just counts as 1 connection, but could somebdoy verify?

Also obviously SBS 2003 gives the potential for actual growth up to and past 10 users, though I don't foresee this happening anytime soon at all.

Obviously, I'm considering XP based solely off the $$$ savings. $200 OS versus $1000 for OS + 10 CALs... of which likley nothing else in the OS will be used (Exchange etc)

Any advice, tips or suggestions

 
If you get SBS you must run Active Directory (which actually wouldnt be a bad thing, esp. as they grow).

Cost differance between the 2 isnt huge; I would almost lean toward SBS simply because it gives you so much more room for growth (not to mention extra features that would be useful, like AD and volume shadow copy).
 
Originally posted by: spyordie007
If you get SBS you must run Active Directory (which actually wouldnt be a bad thing, esp. as they grow).

Cost differance between the 2 isnt huge; I would almost lean toward SBS simply because it gives you so much more room for growth (not to mention extra features that would be useful, like AD and volume shadow copy).
Click to expand...

I agree, just a hard sales pitch
 
Are you going to be full time or is this a setup and leave project with you coming in to do minimal maintenance stuff?

If you arent going to be full time I dont suggest Linux. The people there probably have a hard enough time using Windows much less understanding Linux + Samba.

If you have 10 users who are required to be connected to the server your only option between the two is SBS 2003. WinXP has a connection limit of I believe 5?
 
XP Pro's limit is 10 (Home is 5)

spyordie007: I was just going off the Dell installed (sh!t) pricing. I guess it would make more sense to just snag from Newegg for $400+ cheaper. They will all be getting Office 2003 basic, so the addition of Outlook, while nice isn't overly necessary.

Thanks spyordie007
 
Originally posted by: Genx87
Are you going to be full time or is this a setup and leave project with you coming in to do minimal maintenance stuff?

If you arent going to be full time I dont suggest Linux. The people there probably have a hard enough time using Windows much less understanding Linux + Samba.

If you have 10 users who are required to be connected to the server your only option between the two is SBS 2003. WinXP has a connection limit of I believe 5?
Click to expand...

It will be hands-off as much as possible (although I envision a lot of Remote Admin and weekends there s they get up to steam). Linux is not an option.
 
Originally posted by: Homerboy
XP Pro's limit is 10 (Home is 5)

spyordie007: I was just going off the Dell installed (sh!t) pricing. I guess it would make more sense to just snag from Newegg for $400+ cheaper. They will all be getting Office 2003 basic, so the addition of Outlook, while nice isn't overly necessary.

Thanks spyordie007
Click to expand...
I'm surprised their OEM licensing isnt cheaper.

NOTE: The price and link I posted was for Retail with 5 CALs whereas you were posting w/ 10 CALs; so if you went the Retail route as they grow you would need to buy additional CALs (but that can be address anytime and would not be neccisary for their current deployment).

Regards,
Erik
 
Originally posted by: spyordie007
Originally posted by: Homerboy
XP Pro's limit is 10 (Home is 5)

spyordie007: I was just going off the Dell installed (sh!t) pricing. I guess it would make more sense to just snag from Newegg for $400+ cheaper. They will all be getting Office 2003 basic, so the addition of Outlook, while nice isn't overly necessary.

Thanks spyordie007
Click to expand...
I'm surprised their OEM licensing isnt cheaper.

NOTE: The price and link I posted was for Retail with 5 CALs whereas you were posting w/ 10 CALs; so if you went the Retail route as they grow you would need to buy additional CALs (but that can be address anytime and would not be neccisary for their current deployment).

Regards,
Erik
Click to expand...

I actually went back after I just posted to dell's site
its $500 for 5 CALs $500 again for another 5... so the pricing is pretty much on either way
I was saying $1000 for the SBS that allows 10 users (to compare evenly with XP Pro's 10 user limit)


 
SBS 2003 gives you Active Directory, Group Policies, full Exchange Server (with shared email, calendars, contacts), shared Sharepoint workspaces, full remote access to all PCs, automated backups, daily monitoring reports, and centralized security and control of all PCs.

XP Pro gives you, well, XP Pro.

The way an office works with the two would be totally different. An office with an XP Pro or a Samba server is just a bunch of computers with a shared network drive. An office with SBS has a single control point for all computers and users, and emphasizes information sharing using Outlook/Exchange and SharePoint and a whole bunch of user-friendly wizards.

If possible, I always recommend buying RETAIL versions of SBS and doing the install yourself. With Retail, unlike OEM, you can move the software to a new PC if you want.

You'll probably want to do your own SBS install, anyway. You'll need to install it a couple of time for practice to make sure you get it right. You don't want to live the rest of your life with a botched install, which is what usually happens the first time someone configures SBS. And you'll want to change Dell's default drive partitioning. I recommend a 20GB system drive. And relocate the Exchange Store and User folders to the D: drive.

Why don't you call Microsoft or check their Small Business site, find a Small Business Specialist, and ask him/her to give you a hands-on demonstration of SBS? Or get the name of a company using SBS and ask the owner what he/she thinks of SBS?
 
I would go with sbs. With active directory you will be able to setup users and rights so much easier plus it will scale much easier too.
 
Originally posted by: spyordie007
I'm surprised their OEM licensing isnt cheaper.
Click to expand...
OEM and Retail SBS cost almost exactly the same. That's why I think it's crazy to use OEM SBS (unless you get it nearly-free, which does happen sometimes with Dell or Gateway).

The OS cost doesn't really matter much, anyway. The bulk of the cost (and/or time) of a Server OS is in the configuration and maintenance. That's where SBS shines, since it's far easier to maintain than any comparable system.
 
Originally posted by: spyordie007
That's where SBS shines, since it's far easier to maintain than any comparable system.
Click to expand...
I agree, the couple of times that I've setup SBS it's been very quick and easy.
Click to expand...

I already sent over my quote to him for SBS... so should be a done deal. Disgusting how cheap you can get equipment now... $1600 for a Dell w/ 2.8 Xeon 1GB RAM, 2x160GB SATA in RAID1, SBS 2003 w/ 5 CAL... 1/3 of the pricetag was OS.

Thanks for your help/suggestion guys in re-affirming what I already knew to be the right answer.
 
Before embarking on the final SBS setup on the new Dell, I strongly suggest reading one of the beginning SBS books or, at least, reading Microsoft's whitepaper on SBS installation. I'd grab an XP Pro computer as a client, grab a switch, and create a "mini-network". Then do your first SBS configuration, including adding the client to the domain and migrating any email to the new Outlook profile.

After THOROUGH testing of your result, including remote access and folder redirection, ERASE your SBS server and fully re-install SBS. Reconfigure that paritioning as I mentioned above. Have User and Computer naming strategies established, desired default email names established, and decide how you want to handle User security rights.

If you are going to put a web site on it, be sure you don't put it in \wwwroot. You'll blow the Remote Web Workplace away. And don't name your Domain with your Internet Domain Name!
 
thanks for the tips and tricks

I will be migrating NOTHING as they use ledgers and pens and paper for over 800 orders a week for the past 20yrs.... My in-law bought this company and wants to bring it out of 1970 Literally its like a time capsule inside there. Even the porn on the warehouse walls is from old playboys 🙂

I'm pretty familar with Windows servers and network setups etc so I'm not overly worried. They wont be using 99% of it so I'm not too concerned.


 
Well, the best of luck. Please do consider doing some heavy-duty reading before you do your final SBS install. I see a LOT of SBS installs, and I haven't seen ONE completely correct install done by someone who'd never installed SBS before. This includes installs by an IT director of a mid-size company, by a couple of IT people who install and manage Windows Servers at their companies, and even my own first two installations.

A good beginning book like Harry Brelsford's SBS 2003 Best Practices will keep you from making the same mistakes that everybody else makes.

The other advantage of reading about SBS is you'll get a better understanding of the features, so you can explain them to the owner.
 
The Deal With SBS 2003 is "Use the Happy Wizards"

even if you know how to do something, like hooking up the server to the internet (Configuring a net card) you must you their happy little wizard.

Joinging a computer to the domain, Happy little wizard


But, once you get a SBS server setup, add WSUS, antivirus and antispam protection.......... It pretty much makes your network a very low maintainencece wonder.


Yesterday I had a clinet how wanted their 7 lawyers to have remote access to the files on the server when they were out on the road.

5 seconds to add them to the mobile users group, 20 seconds to pass pptp through the firewall, 5 minutes to show them all how to install the remote connection manager. Done


VPN (Granted PPTP) setup for 7 people with the click of a finger.
 
Originally posted by: smashp
The Deal With SBS 2003 is "Use the Happy Wizards"
Click to expand...
Yup. A well-spent hour is to go over EVERY SINGLE Wizard in SBS and understand exactly what it's for. Before doing ANYTHING in SBS without a Wizard, double-check to make sure there isn't a Wizard to do it for you.

SBS is intended to be set up a certain way. Computers and Users must be in special OUs. The Wizards assume that things are set up a certain way. Change the setup manually, and you can really mess things up fast.
 
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