Welcome to the Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003
Release 2 reviewer's guide. This guide describes the key capabilities and
features of Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 and how these features
benefit the two main audiences for the product, small businesses and the
technology providers who deliver information technology (IT) services to small
businesses. To help ensure that you have all the information you need to review
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2, this guide provides information
on the following:
·
Significant trends in the
small-business technology industry
·
Key
design goals for Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2
·
Features
of Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2
·
A
guided walk-through of Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 Setup
In October 1997, Microsoft Corporation introduced Microsoft BackOffice®
Small Business Server 4.0, the first integrated suite of server applications
designed specifically for businesses with 50 or fewer desktops. With this
product, small businesses could license a single product to address their
networking, communications, and Internet needs at a price that represented a
tremendous value.
In two subsequent releases, the product increasingly
delivered that value to small-business customers, with return on investment
(ROI) ranging from 57 percent to 268 percent, according to a study by
Forbes.com. Users recouped their investment in one accounting period or less,
expanded their geographic reach, performed more revenue-producing tasks at no
extra cost, and improved their quality of life through the ability to conduct
business from wherever they happened to be.
With the vision of extending the return on investment to
small-business customers, Microsoft actively worked to further break down the
barriers to adoption, including reducing product complexity. Representatives
from Microsoft visited hundreds of small businesses to learn how to enhance product
usability and conducted thousands of customer and partner interviews to
understand how to maximize the value that Small Business Server provided to
small businesses. This customer and partner feedback has driven product
development and product improvement at Microsoft. The result is Windows Small
Business Server 2003 Release 2, the fifth-generation release.
As part of the Windows Server 2003 family, Windows
Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 delivers the familiar look and feel of the
Windows operating system that consumers already know. When small-business users
inquire about the Windows Server product that is right for them, the clearly
branded Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 will be the optimal choice.
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 provides first-class technology in
an integrated solution tailored to meet the needs of small businesses—whether
it’s the only server or the center of a multi-server network—delivering great
value to solve the problems that small businesses face every day.
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 offers the
ability to integrate and tailor the powerful features of several Microsoft
Windows Server System™ components to deliver the ease of use needed by small
businesses. Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 delivers an
easy-to-install, easy-to-manage product that forms the centerpiece of a small
business IT solution.
Small businesses have varying needs for an IT solution. To
better meet the variation in a larger population of small businesses, Windows
Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 is available in two editions, Standard and
Premium.
·
Standard Edition consists of Windows Server 2003,
Exchange Server 2003, Windows SharePoint Services, and Windows Server
Update Services (WSUS) technologies. Standard Edition is ideal for first-server
customers who are looking to leverage the benefits of server technology in
their network, or for customers migrating from a stand-alone server to an
integrated technology platform.
·
Premium Edition adds Microsoft SQL Server™ 2005
Workgroup Edition, Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server
2004, and Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003 technologies. Premium Edition is
ideal for small businesses with more demanding IT needs, such as data-intensive
line-of-business applications, or for customers with more stringent monitoring
and management of Internet services and connectivity.
Table 1 provides an overview of the two editions and their
included technologies.
|
Product Technology
|
Standard edition
|
Premium edition
|
|
Windows Server 2003 technologies
|
√
|
√
|
|
Exchange Server 2003 technologies
|
√
|
√
|
|
Outlook 2003
|
√
|
√
|
|
Components unique to Small Business Server (setup wizards,
monitoring tools, Remote Web Workplace, shared fax)
|
√
|
√
|
|
Windows SharePoint Services
|
√
|
√
|
|
Windows Server Update Services
|
√
|
√
|
|
FrontPage 2003
|
|
√
|
|
SQL Server 2005 Workgroup technologies
|
|
√
|
|
ISA Server 2004 technologies
|
|
√
|
|
Includes 5 client access licenses (CALs)
|
√
|
√
|
Table 1. List of product technologies contained in the
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 editions.
Four major industry trends serve as the backdrop for the
design and development of Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2:
·
Increased server adoption rate by small
businesses
·
Increasing need for data storage and backup
technology
·
Increasing demand for broadband, remote, and
wireless connectivity
·
Implementing a line-of-business application
Increased server adoption rate by
small businesses
Rapid technology adoption by small business is a continuing
trend with some new twists. While personal computer growth in small businesses
will continue over the next few years—IDC projects that adoption of personal
computers by small businesses will climb by almost 8 percent per year between
2001 and 2006—small businesses will deploy servers even more quickly than they will
personal computers. IDC projects server growth at almost 10 percent per year
through 2006. Within the small-business sector, the deployment of server-based
local area networks (LANs) will climb the fastest for the smallest companies. Ownership
of Server-Based LAN networks is growing at a rate of 6.5% whilst the rate of PC
acquisitions is at a rate of approx 1.5%
This growth is fueled by several factors. First, personal
computer penetration in small businesses is already high, and small-business
owners are looking to increase the benefit and ROI they get from the computers
they already own. A key way to boost collaboration and productivity is to link
existing computers in server-based LANs.
Second, small businesses made their last major technology
push to prepare for potential year 2000 issues. Continuing advances in
technology are bringing those investments near the end of their useful lives, so
companies are looking to upgrade.
Third, servers have become simpler to use while the price of
server hardware has plummeted—server prices are as low as 20 percent below what
they cost a few years ago. According to D.H. Brown analyst Tony Iams, small
businesses still operating on servers based on Microsoft Windows NT® Server
4.0, for example, should seriously consider upgrading to Windows Server 2003
because of the persuasive benefits. Iams calls Windows Server 2003 “a
platform that’s much easier and more cost-effective to operate today—a key
benefit in smaller organizations that lack sizable IT staffs—but that’s also
guaranteed to grow to meet expanding needs over time.”
From a demographics perspective the number of small
businesses is very large; globally, there are more than 44 million small
businesses. IDC has projected that in the US alone there will be an increase
of approximately 100,000 small businesses per year through to 2008.
Informal, reactive IT spending pattern for
small businesses
Small businesses
often have no long term plans for their computers and business network. There is
no future planning for new servers, desktops, software packages or line-of-business
applications. It is common for small businesses to have small or nonexistent IT
budgets. In some cases, small businesses do not recognize that the IT infrastructure
is as much a helpful tool as an electrical tool on the shop floor. Without
planning, it is difficult for small businesses to determine where IT funds are
being spent, or even worse, where a small business can receive the biggest bang
for the buck for its limited IT funds.
In most small
businesses, hardware replacement is done on a critical-needs basis—it typically
occurs only after something is broken. Operating systems are upgraded or
patched only when a desktop or laptop is purchased from a vendor. Desktop software
is replaced or updated only when there are significant features or functions
that are required by the business. Without a consistent model for installing
and maintaining hardware and software, there is a significantly increased risk for
security holes to develop in the business infrastructure.
Increasing
need for data storage and backup technology
One of the trends fueling the growth of server adoption by small
businesses is the explosive increase in the quantity of data in digital format:
e-mail, faxes, application data, documents, and media files. Previously, small
businesses would have handled much of this data on paper or on native media
such as video tape or film. The move to digital media necessitates server
software and hardware to share, store, and archive this increasingly business-critical
information.
Not surprisingly, data backup and recovery is the most
important future IT focus area for small businesses. According to industry
observer Access Markets International Partners Inc., 43 percent of small
businesses rank data backup and recovery as important to their businesses,
making it the leading concern among small businesses. Small businesses are also
conscious of the need to secure the information they’re managing electronically:
30 percent cite data security as a future focus, making it the
second-highest-ranked concern of small businesses.
Increasing demand for broadband, remote, and
wireless connectivity
As broadband service becomes readily available and affordable,
it also becomes more attractive to small businesses that can benefit from the
technology to make the most of the increasing amount of data they store and use
online. IDC expects the number of small businesses using broadband technologies
to climb 19.3 percent each year through 2006, making it the fastest-growing
technology segment that IDC tracks in the small-business sector.
With greater numbers of personal computers linked to boost
collaboration and productivity, and more of their data accessible over a
network, small businesses want access to their data and applications anytime,
anywhere, so that they can work from home or while on the road. Many small
business owners work on company data from home during non-business hours. A
growing number of small-business owners and employees work mostly away from an
office, and some remote workers have no discrete office at all. Small business
owners and employees are more productive when equipped with tools and software
that enable seamless access to company data and applications.
Wireless technology is also increasingly popular, both for
use in-office and for mobile users looking to take advantage of real-time
network connectivity. Wireless devices, from handheld inventory devices to PDAs
to tablet PCs increase the mobility of users and data, which in turn improves
responsiveness to customers and improves productivity. These devices are both
portable, affordable, and practically a requirement for today’s competitive
business environment. It’s no wonder that small businesses perceive a
competitive advantage to being wireless, mobile, and effective.
Implementing
line-of-business applications
A final key trend for a small business moving to a
server-based solution is the competitive need for a line-of-business
application, such as accounting software or a customer relationship management application.
These types of client/server software require a server on the network from which
the business can share data, back up data, keep secure, and make available via
remote access.
Microsoft’s small-business customers need to connect to
information and to each other, and access their data and applications from
wherever they may be. And small businesses want big-business solutions that are
easier to install, manage, and use. Microsoft collected considerable input from
customers about what they envisioned in a small-business server operating
environment. To meet these needs of small business, Windows Small Business
Server 2003 Release 2 was designed with these three goals:
·
Provide small businesses with connectivity for
collaboration, communication, and mobility.
- Provide
simplicity in installation, management, and use.
·
Provide flexible deployment features that
benefit both small-business customers and technology providers.
Small businesses receive the benefits of award-winning
technology by installing and deploying Windows Small Business Server 2003
Release 2. It is ideal for small businesses deploying a first server in their
environment, or for small businesses that are upgrading one or more servers in
their current environment. Table 2 shows a partial list of features and
benefits found in each edition of Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2.
|
Feature/Benefit
|
Standard Edition
|
Premium Edition
|
|
Tools and technologies to help share, manage, secure, and
back up files on an internal network
|
Windows
Server 2003 technologies
(e.g., Group
Policy, NFTS file level security, NT Backup, and Windows Server Update
Services)
|
|
Team communications and collaboration environment (e.g.,
Companyweb)
|
Microsoft Windows
SharePoint™ Services
|
|
Communication and collaboration infrastructure that helps
increase productivity
|
Exchange
Server 2003 with SP2 technologies
|
|
A unified place to manage e-mail, calendars, contacts, and
other personal and team information
|
Microsoft Office
Outlook® 2003
|
|
Technology to help secure Internet connections
|
Routing and Remote Access Services (RRAS)
|
ISA Server 2004 technology
|
|
Relational database supporting line-of-business
applications
|
N/A
|
SQL Server 2005 Workgroup technology
|
|
Tools for sophisticated Web site development or the
creation of customized solutions for Windows SharePoint Services
|
N/A
|
Microsoft Office FrontPage® 2003
|
Table 2. List of features, benefits, and the respective
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 editions.
For customers seeking an IT solution that gives them a
business advantage, the technology itself can seem overwhelming. But with
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2, Microsoft has worked hard to
build wizards and management tools that make installing, configuring, and
managing this technology much easier than with the standalone products. The
following discussion of features and benefits shows where each of these areas
has been improved, and how an IT solution is not only manageable, but
necessary, to a small business owner.
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 provides an
integrated Setup solution for installing and configuring the small-business
network. It is designed to guide administrators through the task of configuring
an entire small-business network, providing an end-to-end solution. The
installation features are designed for technology consultants who set up the
solution for their small-business customers and for technically savvy business
owners who like to do things themselves. Setup is optimized for installing and
configuring the operating system and installing the server applications and tools
based on best practices for a small-business network.
Customers can install a copy of the full retail product on
existing hardware or obtain a copy preinstalled on hardware by an OEM. With the
latter, a customer can have Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 up and
running in as little as fifteen minutes.
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 provides an
easy-to-use wizard that configures broadband and dial-up connections for the
server, automatically configures the built-in firewall and Internet services
such as Domain Name System (DNS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP),
and Windows Internet Naming Services (WINS), sets up an e-mail server, and makes
changes to policies and permissions for both users and devices that connect to
the network. The Configure E-mail and Internet Connection Wizard enables configuration
of e-mail, Internet connectivity and network services that can be provided via
an Internet connection. Using this one wizard, customers can more easily
configure settings for the network, firewall, security-enhanced Web sites, and
e-mail to connect network computers to the Internet.
Administrators can create user accounts and set up client
computers quickly and efficiently using the updated Client Setup features in Windows
Small Business Server 2003 Release 2. New features include client networking
configuration using a Web-based wizard, preconfigured user templates to apply the
same set of rights and privileges to groups of employees, the ability to automatically
deploy client applications, and enhanced mobile and remote-use tools. These new
features make it easier to deploy, configure, and administer user and computer
accounts and deploy a standard set of applications to users within the
organization. The wizard can be run in bulk mode, enabling the customer to run
the wizard once to add multiple user accounts.
Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 provides improved
security to small businesses at every level of operation. Network access is
controlled and monitored using Windows Server 2003 firewall technology;
customers who need more stringent control and monitoring of individual or group
Internet use can use ISA 2004 (an enterprise-standard firewall) found in the
Premium Edition. Remote access to e-mail, intranet data, and business
information uses secure sockets layer (SSL) security found in Internet
Information Server; Windows Server 2003 also provides award-winning file and
folder security, Windows Backup, and Volume Shadow Copy. These allow small
businesses to easily and securely back up, retrieve, and archive business
information without impacting day-to-day operation.
Coworkers can collaborate on projects and share information using
the out-of-the-box internal Web site based on Windows SharePoint Services. This
site includes shared document libraries, announcements, events, and links that
allow users to publish, share, edit, and comment on information. The site
features version control, simple site authoring and permissions tools for
users, automatic change notifications, and discussion threads. All these help
make information more accessible, easier to work with, and easier to manage
than individually-shared folders.
For example, users can post documents into shared document
libraries, view the company’s vacation calendar, enter a request to the help
desk, and participate in a survey or discussion group. Users get shared
document libraries that can be used out of the box by most small businesses for
presentations and other needs; shared lists for information such as
announcements, events, links, and a vacation calendar; fax routing to route
received faxes into the Incoming Faxes document library; and out-of-the-box content
including sample lists and libraries that describe how users can use the
features and tailor them to their needs.
To accommodate an increasingly mobile work force, Windows
Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 contains one of the most powerful business
tools available, the Remote Web Workplace. It enables users who are out of the
office to access e-mail, the shared internal Web site, server-based
applications or terminal server-based applications, and even connect to their
own desktop computer to work with information, retrieve files, or print out
documents. There is also a special version of Remote Web Workplace that gives administrators
the ability to manage servers and desktops on the network from a remote
location. Virtual Private Networking (VPN) is also available for users who can
benefit from direct access to network resources.
Remote Web Workplace also provides a central location for
administrators to access management features, such as the Remote Desktop to
access servers and client computers, Windows SharePoint Services to administer
the internal Web site, Help Desk to view requests generated by users, and to
view performance and usage reports. This makes remote administration simple not
only for business owners, but for partners who provide IT services to small
businesses without a full-time IT staff.
The mobile user solution in Windows Small Business Server
2003 Release 2 is built on the Exchange Server 2003 Outlook Mobile Access
feature. People can use cell phones and other portable devices to access
e-mail, schedules, calendars, and task information while away from the office. People
with Windows Mobile-enabled devices can also gain access to documents and
information on the internal Web site. This extends the usefulness of company
information to employees at remote locations, such as a customer site or while
traveling on business.
To help ensure that the network runs efficiently, Windows
Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 includes updated, end-to-end network
administration features. Wizards simplify common or repetitive tasks, and
preconfigured management consoles provide the necessary tools to manage the
network. These tools are unique to Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2;
they integrate product technologies in such a way that one wizard can provide
all the necessary settings for complex product interrelationships.
The Server Management console contains a unique set of
management tools for network management tasks, such as working with user
accounts, printers, fax machines, files, shared folders, licensing, networking,
e-mail monitoring, intranet updates, and backups. This is the home for the IT
administrator and contains all the tools necessary to manage, monitor, and
update computers and software on the network. There is also a version for power
users that allows an administrator to delegate basic tasks to on-site users. These
tasks typically are common ones that do not require sophisticated IT
intervention, such as adding a user, configuring a group account, or viewing
resource properties.
Because the two consoles are task-based, focusing on tasks
that need to be performed rather than on the technology subsystem, they are
more intuitive for typical small-business users to navigate.
Windows Software Update Services (WSUS) enables businesses
to be able to update all their Microsoft products running on servers and
desktops on the network. It provides a single deployment mechanism for Microsoft
updates, ensuring that the environment is updated with the latest service packs
and critical patches. A comprehensive reporting log is available to show which
critical and non-critical updates are available, which computers have been
updated, and which need additional support in order to be brought up to date. This
helps automate the update management process and dramatically reduces the time,
effort, and cost associated with updating all computers within an organization.
WSUS accomplishes this by enabling an organization’s
administrator to synchronize available updates and patches from Microsoft
Update servers, decide which updates are applicable to the organization, and
approve or disapprove updates based on their operational requirements and
compatibility needs. The service reports the results via e-mail to the administrator
on a daily basis so that the administrator is kept informed of the state of
server and client machines in the environment.
The monitoring and reporting tools in Windows Small Business
Server 2003 Release 2 can be used to ensure that the server remains healthy and
can help reduce downtime by enabling administrators to respond quickly when
issues arise. These enhanced tools enable technology consultants and business
owners to monitor server activity and receive performance and usage reports in
e-mail or online. All of these are configured using the Monitoring
Configuration Wizard. It sets up the necessary alert notifications, schedules
delivery of server performance and usage reports, and also configures
application logging. The daily reports include those from WSUS, detailing the
update status of other servers and desktops in the organization.
Performance reports provide information about the general
health of the server and can replace much of the “simple” monitoring that was
performed using earlier versions of Windows Small Business Server. Usage
reports contain information to help owners understand how their networks are
being used. These reports provide detailed information about employee Internet,
e-mail, and fax use, as well as details on remote connectivity. The clear
format of the performance reports makes it much easier to note potential issues
that require action.
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 contains an innovative
solution for customers who recognize the need for data protection but lack the
tools or technology to deploy one. This solution helps customers back up their
servers more easily and guides them through the restore process. The server has
an integrated backup solution that identifies critical business information, prepares
complete information backups, and restores the entire server in case of catastrophic
hardware failure or disaster-recovery scenarios. This backup solution also
provides a reminder for the on-site tape changer and sends an e-mail message
reporting the success or failure of each backup operation.
Setting up the schedule is simple. The Backup Wizard guides
a system administrator through the creation and implementation of a backup schedule.
By default, the schedule will back up all of the system, application, and data
files needed to completely restore the server, including file shares, My
Documents folders that have been redirected from client computers, and files
stored in the company’s SharePoint site. If Premium Edition is installed, the
backup also recognizes SQL Server databases and automatically adds them to the
backup schedule.
One of the most common data loss events is the accidental
saving of a file over a previous version, resulting in the loss of data. Using
Small Business Server 2003, any user can easily recover previous versions of
their files without needing to restore the file from a backup. Small Business
Server uses the Volume Shadow Copy service to provide self-help recovery. A user
can recover an earlier version of a document without requiring IT staff
involvement or the lengthy process of recovering a file from a backup.
Planning for a Windows Small Business Server
2003 Release 2 Installation
Windows Small
Business Server 2003 Release 2 can be easily added to an existing peer-to-peer
network, added to a server-based network, and installed as the foundation for a
new customer network. Because of this ease-of-installation, customers or
partners need to plan for only a few basic elements: first, understanding the
existing network topology; second, understand the hardware requirements for a
server running Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 and the software
requirements for client computers on the network; and third, understanding the
methods that customers may use for obtaining installation and maintenance
assistance.
By design, Windows
Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 can be installed as a server that
redirects network traffic to the Internet over an existing device such as a
broadband modem or firewall / router, or as an actual gateway between an
existing network and the Internet. This is done by supporting single- or dual-adapter
installations where the server is physically installed between the local
network and the Internet device (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Windows
Small Business Server supports single- or dual-adapter installation on the
network.
Windows Small
Business Server 2003 Release 2 can connect with either method, all through the
use of wizards and guides to make setting up the network access as easy and
secure as possible.
System Requirements (Note: These
Requirements have been modified by SBITS.Biz)
Table 3 lists the minimum and suggested system
requirements for Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2. The requirements have been increased over previous
versions. The increase is based upon the highest minimum requirements of the
core components; this ensures the hardware is capable of running the individual
product technologies.
|
Component
|
Standard or Premium
Edition
|
|
Processor
|
1 or 2 Intel Xeon or AMD Opteron - 64Bit Processors
All Future Versions of SBS are going to be 64bit
(These are suggestss of SBITS.Biz)
|
|
Memory
|
4 GB suggested, and is the max
(These are suggestss of SBITS.Biz)
|
|
Hard disk
|
25-30GB of Disk space for OS
Separate Partitions for E-mail, Data, SQL
RAID1 and or RAID 5 Drive Configuration.
(These are suggestss of SBITS.Biz)
|
|
Drive
|
DVD-ROM drive and 3.5"
Floppy drive
(SBITS.Biz suggests floppy drive, until
SBS2008 for ASR and RAIDCard Driver installations.)
|
|
Display
|
VGA or hardware
that supports console redirection required; Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher
Note: Most old Monitors you have laying around will work fine.
SBITS.Biz
suggests not Buying a New Monitor for server but use a old one and buy a
new Monitor for your self.
|
|
Mouse
|
Microsoft Mouse or
compatible pointing device, or hardware that supports console redirection
(SBITS.Biz suggests a Optical Mouse)
|
|
Other devices
|
Keyboard
Small Profile; 1NIC Ethernet
network interface card For a MAX of 2 NICs
External FAX Modem USR for 1 FAX line, and 2-4 Fax Lines Brooktrout fax
Cards.
2 External USB Drives for SBS Backups using the Backup Wizard.
Internet Connection: DSL, Cable, FIOS, or Above.
(These are suggestss of SBITS.Biz)
|
Table 3. System requirements for both Standard and
Premium Editions.
Out of the box, Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2
supports Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and Windows 2000 Professional. The most
productive user experience is obtained by using Windows XP Service Pack 2. This
will ensure that all the security measures and policies will be able to be
applied to the client machines therefore ensuring a consistent user experience
which will mean less administrative overheads and also enables the users to be
able to obtain the best experience in tools such as Remote Web Workspace.
Windows 9x and Windows NT 4.0 Workstation clients can be connected
to the network by downloading and installing a separate Active Directory client;
however there are significant disadvantages to this method. First, these modified
clients cannot fully participate in Active Directory policies and services and
which increases the security risk. Second, these clients are not supported by
WSUS, and cannot be patched or maintained sufficiently without direct
administrator intervention. Finally, Microsoft has discontinued support for
these clients, making it difficult to obtain assistance or help with
applications and services on these clients.
When it comes to desktop applications, a synergy exists when
desktop clients running Microsoft Office connect to a Windows Small Business
Server 2003 Release 2 network. Both Microsoft Office 2003 and Microsoft Office
XP integrate smoothly with the company intranet site running on Windows
SharePoint Services. This integration allows desktop clients to share and store
information directly to the Web site from within an Office application, and to
work with site tools to manage and share information with others. Desktops
running Office 2003 gain even bigger advantages; by using the team workspace
feature of Office 2003, users can maintain and communicate even more
effectively through use of discussion threads, receive notifications of changes
to documents, and control read-write access to specific documents or folders.
For customers seeking the ideal experience and most powerful
integration solution, it is suggested that desktops are running Windows XP
with Service Pack 2 and Office 2003.
Once the decision
has been made to move to an integrated IT solution, the first step is
identifying how to obtain the solution, and then determining how to install and
maintain the solution.
There are three primary
methods that small businesses may obtain hardware and installation assistance.
One method is to be partially self-sufficient, using OEMs or other hardware
manufacturers for the initial purchase of hardware and software, and then
installing and maintaining the server as part of the normal course of business.
This relies on an internal IT person, or even an IT staff in a larger business,
to be responsible for the installation and maintenance of IT-related
technologies.
The second method is
for the small business to use a trusted advisor such as a Value-Added Partner (VAP)
or Value-Added Reseller (VAR) who will perform the whole operation, from network
and service design to hardware and software provisioning, and ongoing
maintenance and support.
The third method
uses a VAP or VAR to advise the small business what to purchase from an OEM.
The small business deals directly with the OEM or other supplier, and then the
VAP or VAR is responsible for the actual installation and ongoing maintenance.
This method is most often used with businesses that rely on the VAP or VAR to
provide a customized business solution or to deploy and maintain a
line-of-business application.
For most people
thinking of deploying Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 in their
environment, the administration features are first on the list of must-see
items. It is easy to discuss tools and wizards in the abstract, but without
seeing examples it is difficult to appreciate just how much has been done to
make administration as easy as possible.
It is also helpful
to see the new server environment from a user’s perspective: see what has
changed, see what has been made easier, and see what new features are
available.
This section walks
through both viewpoints, showing features and highlights of the easy-to-use and
simplified administration of Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2, and
the end-user’s perspective of collaboration tools and remote access features
that make it easier than ever to be productive.
Windows Small
Business Server 2003 Release 2 uses wizards, task-based consoles, and
management tools unique to Small Business Server to shield new users from the
complexities of setting up and administering a server-based IT solution. It demonstrates
how understanding the needs of end users results in an easy-to-use yet powerful
solution that has been crafted specifically to meet those needs.
At the same time,
experienced or sophisticated administrators still have access to existing
configuration and management tools found in the stand-alone products. It is
rare when the existing tools and wizards do not provide an effective way to
address management issues; but when those events occur, the full complement of
product tools and technologies is available.
An administrator
has three basic groups of tasks to perform on Windows Server 2003 Release 2:
run the setup program to install the binaries on the server, configure the
server for the network and for users, and manage the server on a daily or
as-needed basis.
Setup provides a complete
installation of Windows Small Business Server 2003, Exchange Server 2003, and Windows
SharePoint Services. Setup first installs the Windows Server 2003 for Small
Business Server operating system and then configures the operating system in
preparation for installing tools and applications. Specific actions performed during setup
include:
Windows Server 2003. Setup
configures the operating system based on best-practice implementations for
installing server tools and applications. For example, during Setup, the domain
is automatically installed and configured.
Exchange Server 2003. Exchange
Server 2003 is configured specifically for the small-business environment.
This includes options such as setting the deleted items retention, setting mail
quotas for the Exchange mailboxes, and enabling circular logging.
Windows SharePoint Services. Setup
installs a preconfigured intranet solution using Windows SharePoint Services. Setup
installs the necessary intranet pages and site folders, configures the
subscription service and creates an Incoming Faxes document library.
The To Do List automatically
appears following the installation of server components, giving novice and
veteran administrators a convenient list for completing additional
configuration tasks.
After completing the initial setup the administrator is
presented with a To Do List (Figure 2). The list shows which steps need to be
completed, provide a checklist to keep track of the configuration process, and
link to help files that explain each task and suggest configuration options.
This makes it easy for novice administrators to configure the server without
requiring any knowledge of the underlying software.
Figure 2. The To Do List includes the steps needed to
complete the configuration process.
The Configure E-mail and Internet Connection Wizard (CEICW)
enables administrators to easily configure the server for network connectivity.
It configures network, firewall, intranet, and e-mail settings. By using a
wizard to set up the relevant connections “under the hood,” it ensures the
settings are properly configured for connection to and interaction with the
Internet. The wizard is sophisticated enough to configure one or two network
adapters on the server, and to configure and manage settings on any Universal
Plug and Play (UPnP) router or firewall device connecting the local network
with the Internet. The wizard performs the following:
- Configures
dial-up and broadband Internet connections, including Point-to-Point
Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) or Point-to-Point Protocol over ATM (PPPoA)
connections and external router devices
- Automatic
configuration of networking services, such as Domain Name System (DNS),
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Windows Internet Naming
Service (WINS)
- Configures
server-based firewall services
- Configures
the technology running the Remote Web Workplace and the company’s internal
Web site
- Configures
secure sockets layer (SSL) connections using either self-issued or
third-party-issued certificates
- Configures
Exchange Server for Internet e-mail. Optionally, the wizard also configures
the Microsoft Connector for POP3 mailboxes, which allows users to download
e-mail from existing POP3 accounts and have the e-mail delivered to the
recipient’s Inbox in Outlook 2003
Tasks that previously took hours now take minutes. The
wizard works directly with the necessary network services and with Active
Directory to ensure that all services work smoothly together. The wizard can be
run at any time, making it easy to change settings when needed (such as
changing ISPs).
One of the most common tasks faced by any system
administrator is creating user accounts and configuring computers for those
users. The To Do List includes an Add Users and Computers wizard (Figure 3) that
provides an integrated way to add new user accounts. This wizard creates the
user account in Active Directory; creates a mailbox in Exchange; grants access
to network resources, including the company intranet Web site, shared files,
and printers; and creates a home folder on the server to store personal files.
Figure 3. The Add User Wizard configures all the
necessary settings for users on the network.
User templates make the process of adding users faster
because common settings can be defined and reused multiple times. The Add User
Wizard can be started in bulk mode, which enables administrators to add
multiple user accounts with one instance of the wizard.
The Windows Small
Business Server 2003 Release 2 backup solution was created as a direct result
of feedback from customers and technology providers. This solution is designed
to help customers back up their servers more easily and successfully and to
guide them through the restore process, ensuring the success of their backup
strategy.
The Backup Wizard
guides administrators through the creation and implementation of a successful
backup schedule. The Backup Wizard prompts administrators to create a backup schedule
and leads them through the process of deciding what to back up, when to perform
backups, and where to store the backed up information. By default, it backs up
all the system, application, and data files needed to completely restore the
server. This includes file shares, My Documents folders redirected from client
computers, and files stored in the company’s Exchange mail store and SharePoint
site.
In this wizard,
administrators can configure the following:
- What files and folders to back up
- How often and what time to perform
backups
- Where to store the backed up files and
how many to keep
- Reminders for the person responsible for
changing the backup tapes
- How long to keep items deleted from
Exchange
- How much disk space to assign to the
volume shadow copy service
In addition,
administrators benefit from the following features:
- Restoration of individual items from
Exchange using the deleted item retention feature
- Restoration of individual files and
folders using the volume shadow copy service
- A list of steps to successfully restore
the entire server
The backup process
generates reports for individual backups and indicates the success or failure
of a particular backup. The report can be viewed in the Server Management
console (Figure 4) and it is also incorporated into the reports generated by
the Monitoring and Reporting console.
Figure 4. The
Backup component provides easy access to common backup tasks and an at-a-glance
reporting feature.
The server can back up
to tape, to another hard drive in the server, removable USB or IEEE 1394
(“FireWire”) drives, or to a shared folder on any computer in the network. It generates
reminder alerts to the appropriate person when it is time to change the tape
and notifies the designated person of the success or failure of each backup.
The Backup component also generates a document that completely describes the
process of restoring individual files or the entire server. This provides a
solid foundation for recovering a server due to hardware failure or as part of
a disaster recovery procedure.
A problem for any
administrator has been how to keep computers up to date with critical updates and
service packs. Even with desktop updates enabled, individual computers (both
desktop and server) may not properly apply an update or service pack, and an
administrator cannot determine whether the computers on a network are up to
date.
The answer is
Windows Software Update Services (WSUS). WSUS connects to the Microsoft Update
service and then downloads and stores updates and service packs on the server.
It can then deploy the updates throughout the network to both desktops and
servers. Critical updates are issued automatically; optional updates and
service packs are downloaded but held until the administrator approves them for
deployment. WSUS reports on successful updates with a “green check” (see Figure
5), notifying the administrator that the network is up-to-date.
Figure 5. The
“green check” status report shows that all computers on the network are up to
date.
If there are
conditions that preclude the network from getting a “green check,” it is
specifically noted in the report so that an administrator can follow up on the noted
conditions (see Figure 6).
Figure 6. If
there are conditions that preclude the network receiving a “green check,” the
report will indicate the conditions and corrections needed.
Monitoring and reporting
The Monitoring
Configuration Wizard sets up alert notifications, configures application
logging, and generates server performance and usage reports. Administrators can
receive performance and usage statistics reports on a scheduled basis and
receive immediate alerts when an issue arises on the server. Business owners
can view the usage statistics report on a security-enhanced Web page on their
intranet. The different types of reporting are:
- Alerts
are used to send an immediate e-mail notification when a critical issue
arises with the server. When configured, Windows Small Business Server
2003 Release 2 automatically sends an alert when a service set to start
automatically is stopped or when a performance counter threshold is
exceeded.
- Performance
reports provide information about the general health of the server and
replace the simpler monitoring that was performed in earlier versions of Windows
Small Business Server. Performance reports can be viewed on the server or
over the Internet and can be sent to designated recipients in e-mail. The
reports include Health Monitor alerts and critical event log entries from
the previous 24 hours. The reports also include summary information about
important performance counters and the top five processes that are
consuming memory. Over time these provide guidance on when to look for
server bottlenecks or when hardware failure is approaching.
- Usage
reports for business owners contain information to help owners
understand how the network is being used. These reports provide detailed
information about employee Internet, e-mail, and fax usage as well as
remote connectivity. Usage data is gathered from application logs once a
day, and statistics are displayed in a report. Business owners and other
authorized users can receive usage reports in e-mail or view the reports from
a Web page on their intranet. The latest report also can be viewed in the Server
Management console.
The Monitoring and
Reporting console shown in Figure 7 provides a central location for viewing
monitoring and usage data and lists tasks for configuring reports and alerts.
The console also contains links to more information and other troubleshooting
tools, such as Event Viewer, Task Manager, and Service Manager.
Figure 7. The
Monitoring and Reporting console provides a status summary, links to report details,
and links to administrative tools such as the Services console or Event Logs.
Once you have configured
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2, you can install the premium
components. These are available on a separate CD or in a separate folder on the
DVD. You must run the respective setup programs for SQL Server 2005 Workgroup
Edition or Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004. If you install ISA
Server 2004, you will need to run CEICW again in order to properly configure
your new firewall, filtering, and monitoring capabilities.
FrontPage 2003 can be installed on a single
computer on the network. It is suggested that it be installed on an
administrator’s workstation rather than the server running Windows Small
Business Server 2003 Release 2.
Once the tasks on
the To Do List have been completed, server management is done by using the Server
Management Console (Figure 8). It is the one-stop management console for the
small-business network. Like the To Do List, it is organized using a task-based
format.
Figure 8. The
Server Management console displays management tasks, rather than sets of tools,
giving administrators an easy way to identify appropriate tasks at a glance.
Advanced administrators
also have the choice of using Microsoft Management Console (MMC)-based
management tools, a subset of which is accessible by expanding the Advanced
Management object. The full complement of standard management tools are still
available in the Administrative Tools folder located on the Start button.
The Manage Users
console (Figure 9) is where many administrators will spend their time. It
displays a list of all users in the domain, along with e-mail addresses and other
contact information. The left side of the pane contains frequently-needed
tasks, such as adding one or more users, changing mailbox and disk quota limits
for that user, and the ability to offer remote assistance to users. All
user-oriented tasks are located in one console, making it easy for novice and
veteran administrators alike to perform routine tasks.
Figure 9. The
Manage Users console eliminates the need to hunt for the right tool for
everyday tasks.
Just as with users,
there is also a console for managing computers on the network. The Manage
Client Computers console (Figure 10) brings together the most frequently needed
tasks for managing computers in the domain. Administrators can easily set up
computers, set up and assign applications to computers, and manage the
computers remotely without sorting through numerous other consoles to get the
job done.
Figure 10. The
Manage Client Computers console makes it easy to set up and manage computers on
the network.
The Manage Client
Access Licenses console (Figure 11) helps administrators work with the CALs
that are required for clients to access the Windows Small Business Server 2003
Release 2 network. Administrators can install per-user and per-device CALs,
purchase additional licenses, make backups of the licenses, and keep track of
the “high water” license usage and budget appropriately for additional
licenses.
Figure 11. The
Manage Client Access Licenses console helps keep track of a vital business
asset – the licenses needed to access the network.
The Manage your
company’s internal Web site console (Figure 12) makes available links to
management and monitoring tools that are used to ensure the Web site stays
healthy. The intranet Web site (also known as “Companyweb”) works in
conjunction with Windows SharePoint Services to provide the powerful management
and collaboration tools used by employees.
If you want to
create an external Web site for your business, you can build it using your
favorite Web design software and then publish it to your Web server. The links
listed here will launch the appropriate management consoles, including the
Internet Information Services management console, so you can set up the
necessary folders, permissions, and other Web details needed to support your
external Web site.
Figure 12. The
management tools for your internal Web site are easy to find and
straightforward to use.
The Manage Internet
and E-mail console (Figure 13) consists primarily of links to server
configuration wizards, along with links to hardware-specific wizards. Some of
these tasks may never be needed by an administrator; but when they are, the
wizards listed here can save hours of time by making the necessary edits to
server settings in one pass.
Figure 13. Nearly
all the important, Internet-related configuration and management tasks can be
launched from this console.
The End-User’s Guide to Working on a Network
Server-based IT solutions deliver savings in time and effort
needed to administer them. But no matter how competent the server, the solution
must help the true end users: the business employees who will work with the
solution as part of their daily routine.
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 delivers significant
savings to administrators and to end users. Setting up client computers is
easier than ever, and users bringing their existing desktops onto the network
will find their settings and applications preserved. Powerful Web-based tools
make it easy to share information and work with documents in a collaborative
environment, and even retrieving “lost” information is only two clicks away.
Users will also find that they can work with information
from any computer connected to the Internet. The Remote Web Workplace is the
starting point for remote access to e-mail, shared information on the network,
and even the user’s computer at work. All of these tools make it easier for
people to deliver results faster, collaborate on achieving business goals, and
working with customers in a more effective manner.
One of the
most time-consuming tasks for administrators and end users was configuring a
computer for connection to a network. Computer names and user names had to be
added to the local computer, applications assigned, and shares configured. Even
with automation, at some point user intervention was required.
With
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2, these tasks are automated. Once
the user and computer settings have been configured on the server, all which is
required is connecting to the server running Windows Small Business Server 2003
Release 2 using a Web browser. With only a user name and password, the computer
can log onto the server and the computer will be automatically configured with
the correct information and settings. The Connect Computer Wizard (Figure 14) performs
the necessary changes to the local computer’s registry, applies the necessary
group policy objects, and will install any applications that have been assigned
to this computer. While administrators
are likely to add the computers to the domain, the process is easy enough that
end users can join the computer to the domain with minimal instruction.
Figure 14. The Connect Computer Wizard automates the
process of adding a computer to the domain and configuring it with the
appropriate user accounts.
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 now supports
migration of client profiles during use of the Connect Computer Wizard.
Migrating profiles eases the transition for businesses buying a first server to
migrate from an existing peer-to-peer network to a server-based IT solution.
Small-business
intranet with Windows SharePoint Services
As part of the server installation an internal Web site, or intranet,
is created and a pre-configured Web site is made available to users on the
network (Figure 15). It is based on Windows SharePoint Services and it improves
productivity through knowledge sharing and team collaboration. The intranet site
provides a centralized location where users can work together on business
information, share documents, and communicate with each other about company
projects. For example, users can post documents into shared document libraries,
view the company’s vacation calendar, enter a request to the help desk, and
participate in a survey or discussion group.
Figure 15. The company intranet Web site, called
Companyweb, is the central clearinghouse and meeting place for business
documents and information.
The company intranet site can be customized with the corporate
logo and look and feel. There are also a growing set of SharePoint add-ins called
Webparts for a wide variety line-of-business applications. These Webparts give
the company and individual site users the ability to customize one or more
pages with information that is pertinent to a particular project, or useful to
the company as a whole. The intranet site is flexible enough that it will grow
and improve along with the company itself.
Some of the features of the intranet Web site include:
- Shared document
libraries provide a set of predefined document libraries that can be
used out of the box by most small businesses. Included in this default
list (see Figure 16) are general documents, projects, presentations, incoming
faxes, and archived documents. If these sample libraries do not meet a
particular customer’s needs, new document libraries can be created.
- Shared
lists provide a set of lists within Windows SharePoint Services that
knowledge workers can use to share information. By default, these lists
include announcements, events, links, a vacation calendar, and a help
desk.
- Sample
content includes not only a number of sample lists and libraries but
also sample content populated into each of these libraries. This sample
content describes how users can use the features and tailor them to their
needs.
- Shared
picture libraries provide a graphical interface to share images among
the team. These image libraries provide previewing and viewing
capabilities.
- Alerts
enable users to subscribe to content stored in lists or document libraries
and provide e-mail notification if content changes or new files are added.
- Fax
routing enables users to route received faxes into the Incoming Faxes
document library.
- End
user Help topics provide assistance with the most relevant tasks in
the Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 environment.
- Integration
with Office suite in Window SharePoint Services enables a Small
Business to be able to more easily create, use and store documents. Through
the integration between the intranet site and Office 2003, users can save
and access documents directly to the intranet site from within any Office
application. Version control is available for any of these documents,
making it easy to know which document is the most recent – or making it
easy to recover a previous version when needed.
Figure 16. The
default set of folders and lists is comprehensive, but it can be used,
modified, or deleted as needed by the company.
In any environment
that involves users and data there is always the risk that documents may be
accidentally overwritten with data. In the past, when a document was
overwritten, a version had to be restored from a backup tape, which often took
hours to accomplish. With Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2, end
users can restore previous versions of files without requiring intervention by
an administrator. By redirecting My Documents from the client PC to the server,
the automatic back up protection of the network allows users to quickly recover
a previous version. In the Document Properties dialog box, an end user clicks
the Previous Versions tab and then selects the version to restore (see Figure
17). The Volume Shadow Copy feature restores the earlier version in seconds,
not hours, and the user can continue working with the correct document version.
Figure 17.
Restoring a previous version is only two clicks away.
The Remote Web Workplace (RWW) is a dynamically created Web page
that provides a single, secure entry point for remote users to access business
information using a Web browser. It enables employees to connect effectively
with customers by providing one place from which e-mail, company information,
and even the employee’s desktop can be accessed from outside the company firewall.
The RWW log in screen (Figure 18) is available from any computer on the
Internet.
Figure 18. The Remote Web Workplace is a secure portal
for accessing company information.
Once connected, employees will see several options listed
(Figure 19). They are:
- Read my company e-mail. This
option allows remote users to read e-mail using Outlook Web Access (OWA),
a browser-based version of Microsoft Outlook (figure 20). Most of the
standard features of Microsoft Outlook are available, including e-mail,
calendars, tasks, and shared folders. The benefit of using OWA is that
employees can work with their e-mail remotely yet the e-mail remains on
the server. This helps minimize any risk of corrupted data or data loss.
- Connect to my computer at work. If
the employee’s work computer is turned on, they can connect to it over the
Internet using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). This lets employees interact
with their work desktop in a window as if they were logging onto the
desktop locally. The employee has access to all documents and applications
on the work desktop, and can transfer files from the work desktop to the
remote computer.
- Use my company’s internal Web site.
This option lets employees connect to the intranet Web site and gain
access to the information stored there. They can edit and save files,
check out files, and participate in project collaboration as if they were
on the local network.
- Configure your computer to use Outlook
via the Internet. If the remote computer is running Microsoft Outlook,
this option will configure Outlook to connect to the Exchange server using
remote procedure calls over HTTP (RPC over HTTP). This lets remote
employees have the benefits of the complete Outlook 2003 e-mail program
without having to open additional ports in the firewall. E-mail is
downloaded to the remote computer and can be worked with as if the
employee was inside the firewall.
- View Remote Web Workplace help.
The online help provides answers to commonly-asked questions about using
RWW.
Other options may be available on RWW, depending on how it
was configured by the administrator. These may include links to applications
running on a terminal server, a downloadable connection manager for configuring
remote computers to access the network, and possibly shared files or folders
that do not reside on the intranet Web site.
Figure 19. Remote Web Workplace consists of links to
office resources that are available to remote users.
Figure 20. Outlook Web Access provides access to all the
resources available on Exchange, but all the resources remain on the server and
are not downloaded to the remote computer.
When administrators connect to Remote Web Workplace, they
are presented with a somewhat different view (Figure 21). It allows
administrators to connect to servers, desktop computers, view performance and
usage reports, and maintain the intranet Web site. These features are
remarkably useful for administrators who may not be on site when problems
occur; rather than driving to the business office to correct a problem, many
such problems can be resolved over the Internet without requiring an on-site
visit.
Figure 21. RWW presents a somewhat different set of
options to the administrator logging in remotely.
Mobility is a feature in Windows Small Business Server 2003
Release 2 that provides an easier way for technology professionals to support
their customers’ mobile devices. Users of Windows Small Business Server 2003
Release 2 can easily configure their portable devices to access e their e-mail,
calendar, and task information from their server over the Internet. The
mobility solution in Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 simplifies
the setup and provisioning of devices running Microsoft Windows Mobile™ 5.0 software.
For more information about configuring mobile devices to connect through Remote
Web Workplace, see the whitepaper on the Microsoft
Web site (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=62797).
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 incorporates
the highly dependable and manageable Windows Server 2003 operating system
as its core engine as well as the robust messaging system Exchange
Server 2003. As part of the Windows Server 2003 family, Windows Small
Business Server 2003 Release 2 delivers the familiar look of the Windows
operating system that consumers already know. When small-business users look
for the Windows Server product that is right for them, the clearly branded Windows
Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 will be the obvious—and most
optimal—choice. Windows Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 provides first-class
technology in an integrated solution tailored to meet the needs of small
businesses—whether it’s the only server or the center of a multiserver
network—delivering great value to solve the problems that small businesses face
every day.
