Is Windows 2003 Small Business Server STILL just Windows 2003 Server?
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!
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.
Discovering Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard (formerly SBS 7) [CCEN]