SBS 2003 & SBS 2003 R2 Differences

dpbarry · #1 02-Jan-2008, 08:01 PM

Hi Folks..

A while back (year or so) I got my place of work to buy me SBS 2003 standard but never got around to using it.

My place of work (school) is now moving into a new building which has a managed service network (part of N. Ireland education setup). We also have a legacy network (NT4 server and Windows 98SE workstations) but this will cease to exist once we make the move to the new building.

I plan to utilise SBS 2003 now just to have a small network for my own use within my own department but can anyone asnwer the following.

1.What is the difference between SBS 2003 and SBS 2003 R2?
2.Can the original version be upgraded to R2
3.Is there any real benefits in upgrading to R2 and is it free?

Regards

Declan

**Sparky** · #2 02-Jan-2008, 08:12 PM

If you have the media for SBS 2003 then go for that mate. I have rolled out a few SBS R2 servers and there are some improvements. For example WSUS is bundled in the install and is preconfigured as well, also the distributed file system (DFS) component is much better but if you only have one server then you won’t use this.

You can upgrade to SBS 2003 R2 if you need and you have to pay for it.

dpbarry · #3 02-Jan-2008, 10:41 PM

Quote:

“

Originally Posted by Sparky

If you have the media for SBS 2003 then go for that mate. I have rolled out a few SBS R2 servers and there are some improvements. For example WSUS is bundled in the install and is preconfigured as well, also the distributed file system (DFS) component is much better but if you only have one server then you won’t use this.

You can upgrade to SBS 2003 R2 if you need and you have to pay for it.

”

Cheers Sparky..

Many thanks for reply. If all goes well, I can possibly get them to purchase the upgrade. Probably by that time, there will be something new

Declan

**Sparky** · #4 02-Jan-2008, 10:44 PM

Quote:

“

Originally Posted by dpbarry

Cheers Sparky..

Many thanks for reply. If all goes well, I can possibly get them to purchase the upgrade. Probably by that time, there will be something new

Declan

”

No problem mate. If you only have the standard version of SBS it might be worth investing the cash in a decent hardware firewall.

The standard Windows firewall wont give you much protection.

dpbarry · #5 03-Jan-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

“

Originally Posted by Sparky

No problem mate. If you only have the standard version of SBS it might be worth investing the cash in a decent hardware firewall.

The standard Windows firewall wont give you much protection.

”

What sort of hardware firewall would you recommend?

Declan

**Sparky** · #6 03-Jan-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

“

Originally Posted by dpbarry

What sort of hardware firewall would you recommend?

Declan

”

Few factors to consider.

How many users are on the LAN.
Do users need VPN access
Are you going to host your own email on Exchange server
Also... how much cash do you have!

dpbarry · #7 03-Jan-2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

“

Originally Posted by Sparky

Few factors to consider.

How many users are on the LAN.
Do users need VPN access
Are you going to host your own email on Exchange server
Also... how much cash do you have!

”

heh..heh!!

Approx 5
May.. If our Broadband support team allow me. That why I don't like managed services

Would like to have one set up for testing purposes.
and last but not least..very little..

but my be able to hoodwink my boss

Being honest, I'm just curious as to what hardware options are available.

Jeeper.. The snows lying here at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. Had a power outage earlier on. Lightening strike apparently. Never saw it.. Maybe not get to work in morning

Declan