Small Business Server 2008

These 2 new releases join the current server product family that also includes the recently released Windows Home Server

Bundled products have been updated to the latest versions in SBS 2008, Premium Edition buyers will have access to two new features: First, SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition has replaced the SQL 2005 Workgroup Edition from the earlier version of SBS. Customers are now licensed to install SQL 2008 on a second server; the suite actually includes a second installation of Windows Server 2008 to accommodate this installation as well.

System requirements have jincreased dramatically in SBS 2008. Although a multi-core CPU is not strictly required, you'll need at least a 64-bit capable, high-end single core CPU (2.66GHz or more) including a minimum 4GB of RAM.

Some of the new features include.

A streamlined administration and management console that is designed around tasks to be accomplished rather than underlying technologies.

Monitoring reports that gather data from both servers and clients on the network, including Security Center status from all the clients.

New features in the Remote Web Workplace, such as the ability to define default and allowed PCs for each user, increasing security.

Office Live Small Business integration for and configuring a public web site or extranet

New server backup features, based on the incremental block-based backup technology in Windows Server 2008 (tape backup no longer supported via native tools, but continues to be supported via 3rd parties)

One of the biggest change in SBS 2008 requires installation behind a separate network firewall device. In contrast with SBS 2003, it does not support being installed directly on the edge of the network, ISA Server is no longer bundled and a dual-NIC configuration is not possible. Changing Microsoft's previous best practice advised 2 Network card configuration with an SBS server as the gateway for any SBS Network.

Also See

• Microsoft SBS