Is Windows 2003 Small Business Server STILL just Windows 2003 Server?

Question

I want to take exam 70-290, but I also want to purchase my own copy of Windows 2003 server to practice. I was thinking of buying it here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330295378134

My Question is: Does the "Small Business" version remove any core functionality or water it down at all? can this version also function as a domain controller as well?

The company I work for has a lot of clients who use 2003 Small Business server, so I'd like to get to know these features as well, i just don't want a version that is not suitable for practicing for the 70-290 exam. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

They are different in many areas but they basically do the same job. SBS comes "bundled" with many other functions / servers as well as the base Windows 2003 server. Things like exchange, SQL server, Share Point server, etc.

(In a large domain, these would usually be installed on separate physical servers not one box.)



Here is a fairly good comparison

http://www.sbslinks.com/Us_v_them.htm

The main difference that you will notice from a "I want to learn" standpoint is that SBS has alot of wizards to do things, like add a new user. The standard server does not!

You can see Microsofts information

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/default.mspx

and the Spec Sheet

http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/A/B/9AB51219-C4EF-4FC5-AF07-7D2E7C860810/68727SBS2003.R2.Customer.Datasheet.pdf



You can use SBS to learn, you just have to understand it is slightly different than 2003 but very similar in many ways. SBS is easier to use and has automatic functions that Server 2003 does not.

Answer 2

The fully functional version is Windows Server 2003. It supports Subdomains, multiple domains, many security groups and upto 40000 users.

Small Business Server is a scaled down version of that. I can't give you particulars about it, but it is usually sufficient for a small to medium sized company.

Answer 3

this is designed to artwork that way! extra desirable than one gadget is often sturdy for redundancy, yet no longer strictly needed. in case you utilize sturdy hardware meant for servers you would be miles forward interior the overall performance and reliability branch. utilising a RAID setup for the boot-OS force and yet another RAID setup for the tips storage is fairly important. this is going to keep a large number of a few time and usertime by skill of struggling with downtime. A spare capability furnish and not elementary drives in no way harm.