Windows Server Essentials

Windows Server Essentials (formerly Windows Small Business Server or SBS[2]) is an integrated server suite from Microsoft designed for running network infrastructure (both intranet management and Internet access) of small and midsize businesses having no more than 25 users or 50 devices. Application server technologies are tightly integrated to provide and offer management benefits such as integrated setup, enhanced monitoring, Remote Web Workplace, an unified management console, and remote access.

Windows Server Essentials
Windows Server 2016 Essentials displaying the Windows Server Essentials Dashboard
Developer(s)Microsoft
Stable release
2019 / November 13, 2018[1]
TypeOperating system
LicenseCommercial proprietary software
Websitehttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/

Since the release of SBS 2003, the same service packs as those for Windows Server or other server products can be used to update the OS.[3][4]

Editions

Initially, Small Business Server was marketed as an edition of Microsoft BackOffice Server. When Windows 2000 was released, it was marketed as Microsoft Small Business Server 2000, and finally was rebranded as a member of the Windows Server 2003 family. In December 2008, Microsoft also introduced a Windows Essential Business Server product aimed at medium-sized businesses, but this was discontinued in June 2010 due to low demand.

Up to SBS 2003, the Premium edition also included Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server and Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003.

The version of Windows Server that is part of Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008, known as Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions (WinWESS) (also known as Windows Server 2008 Standard FE)[5] is available outside the product suite, supporting a maximum of 15 Client Access Licenses.[6] SBS 2008 Premium edition will not include ISA Server but will include a Windows Server 2008 license and SQL Server 2008 for running on a second server. Those upgrading to SBS 2008 Premium edition via Software Assurance will be compensated with a free license for the latest version of ISA Server.[7]

Windows Small Business Server 2011 was available in Essentials, Standard, and Premium editions. Essentials is a scaled down version for 1 to 25 users; both the other editions are based on the Windows Server codebase and include Microsoft Exchange Server mail server, Internet Information Services (IIS) web server, Windows SharePoint Services for collaboration, Microsoft Outlook 2003 email client (not included in 2008), Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), Windows Server Update Services for update management across the network, and a Fax server.

Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials and Windows Server 2012 Essentials were earlier versions of corresponding releases of Windows Server.[8]

Windows Server 2016 Essentials, based on Windows Server 2016, is the previous version of Server Essentials, released in September 2016 with general availability October 12, 2016.

Windows Server 2019 Essentials, based on Windows Server 2019, is the current version of Server Essentials, initially released in October 2018. Due to the discovery of significant issues, it was re-released with general availability on November 13, 2018.[9]

Design and licensing considerations

All editions of Windows Server Essentials since the 2011 release do not need any client access license (CAL).

Windows Small Business Server (not Essentials) had its own type of CAL, and included the user CALs for Windows Server, Exchange Server, and eventually SQL Server; the SBS CAL cost more than the Windows Server license, but less than the sum of separate access licenses for the two or three servers.

Windows Small Business Server has the following design restrictions:[10]

  • Only one computer in the domain can be running Windows Small Business Server. The domain supports multiple servers (including additional domain controllers) running any other operating system, such as Windows Server Standard Edition, but only one SBS.
  • Windows Small Business Server must be the root of the Active Directory forest.
  • Windows Small Business Server cannot trust any other domains. It cannot have any child domains.
  • Windows Small Business Server is limited to 75 users or devices depending on the type of CAL.
  • All Windows Small Business Server versions up to SBS 2003 are limited to no more than 4 GB of RAM. 2008 requires a minimum of 4GB for installation, it needs more for performance. 2008 supports a maximum of 32GB.
  • Windows Small Business Server versions prior to Windows Small Business Server 2008 are only available for the x86 (32-bit) architecture.
  • Windows Small Business Server 2008 is only available for the x86-64 (64-bit) architecture. This is due to the requirements of Exchange Server 2007, whose production version is 64-bit only. The 32-bit version of Exchange Server 2007 is only supported for testing and non-production use.
  • The SQL Server which comes with SBS 2008 is "SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition for Small Business.".[11][12] It cannot be installed outside of a network that has a domain controller, and must have fewer than 75 PCs and/or users.
  • Only the Remote Desktop for Administration mode is available because Small Business Server always runs on the domain controller, and only two simultaneous RDP sessions are allowed. (Change from SBS 2000 policy)[13] Terminal Services in application sharing mode needs to be run on a second server on the network. This however is possible with SBS 2011 Premium add-on which includes a Windows Server 2008 license for running the second server.
  • To remove these restrictions and upgrade to regular editions of Windows Server, Exchange Server, SQL Server and ISA Server, there is a Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Transition Pack.[14]

Unique features

Versions
  • October 22, 1997 – BackOffice Small Business Server 4.0
Consists of Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3 and includes Exchange Server 5.0 SP1, Internet Information Services 3.0, SQL Server 6.5 SP3, Proxy Server 1.0, Internet Explorer 3.02 or 4.01, and Outlook 97; allows 25 client licenses.
  • May 24, 1999 – BackOffice Small Business Server 4.5
Consists of Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4 and includes Exchange Server 5.5 SP2, IIS 4.0, SQL Server 7.0, Proxy Server 2.0, Internet Explorer 5.0, Outlook 2000, and FrontPage 2000; allows 50 client licenses.
  • February 21, 2001 – Microsoft Small Business Server 2000
Consists of Windows 2000 Server (including Internet Explorer 5.0 and IIS 5.0) and includes Exchange 2000 Server, SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition, Internet Security & Acceleration Server 2000, Outlook 2000 and FrontPage 2000; allows 50 client licenses.
  • October 9, 2003 – Windows Small Business Server 2003 (codenamed Bobcat)
Consists of Windows Server 2003 and includes Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Outlook 2003, Windows SharePoint Services 2.0, and optionally Microsoft SQL Server 2000, ISA Server 2000 (upgrade to ISA Server 2004 in Small Business Server Premium SP1), and Microsoft FrontPage 2003 in Premium edition; allows 75 client licenses. Service Pack 1 for Windows Small Business Server 2003 was released on July 25, 2005.[15]
  • July 29, 2006 – Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2
Consists of Windows Server 2003 and includes Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Outlook 2003, Windows SharePoint Services 2.0, and optionally Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition, ISA Server 2004, and Microsoft FrontPage 2003 in Premium edition; allows 75 client licenses. A major addition is a built-in patch management tool optimized for small businesses, based on Microsoft Windows Server Update Services. Exchange database size limit is set to 18 GB by default but can be expanded to 75 GB using a registry key.
  • August 21, 2008[16] – Windows Small Business Server 2008 (codenamed Cougar)
Consists of Windows Server 2008 and includes Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and 120-day trial subscriptions of new security products from Microsoft, namely, Forefront Security for Exchange and Windows Live OneCare for Server.[17][18] The standard edition of SBS 2008 will be a single server product for small businesses. The premium edition will contain a license for Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition, with the option to run SQL Server on either the main SBS server, or a second server. The premium edition will therefore be targeted at dual-server scenarios such as terminal services application sharing, line of business applications, edge security, secondary domain controllers, and virtualization.[19] In addition to features present in previous versions, new features include:
  • A streamlined administration and management console that is designed around tasks to be accomplished rather than underlying technologies[20]
  • Built-in support for registering and configuring domain name and DNS records via multiple registrars
  • Monitoring reports that gather data from both servers and clients on the network, including Security Center status (anti-virus, spyware, and client firewall) from all the clients
  • New features in the Remote Web Workplace, such as the ability to define default and allowed PCs for each user
  • 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 third parties)[21]
  • 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.[22]
  • Migration of 32-bit SBS 2003 versions to 64-bit SBS 2008 and SBS2011 has no in place upgrade and can be problematic.[23][24][25] Inability to upgrade Sharepoint[26] (WSS 2.0) by WSS 3.0 or SharePoint 2010 Foundation.
SBS 2008 was released to manufacturing on August 21, 2008[27] and was launched on November 12, 2008.[28] Windows Small Business Server 2008 supports organizations with up to 75 users or devices.[18] A notable change from SBS 2003 is that CALs are not enforced electronically.[29]
  • December 13, 2010 – Windows Small Business Server 2011
Microsoft announced two successors to the SBS series during WPC 2010, both based on Windows Server 2008 R2. One successor (code name "Aurora") supports a maximum of 25 users, removes the traditional on-premises components of Exchange, SharePoint and WSUS, and is oriented to attach cloud services. The other successor (code name "SBS 7") is the more direct successor of SBS 2008, and continues to support a maximum of 75 users, and will continue to include the next generation on-premises versions of Exchange, SharePoint and Windows Server Update Services.
Late in 2010, Microsoft announced the official branding for the 2011 wave. SBS "7" will be branded as Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard, and "Aurora" will introduce a new edition to the SBS product line: Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials. Additionally, changes to the premium edition were announced. Whereas formerly, the premium edition of SBS was packaged as a superset of the standard edition, in the 2011 wave it will be available as an add-on edition, containing standalone copies of SQL Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 R2, and available to add onto either SBS 2011 Essentials or Standard.
In mid-December, Microsoft released Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard to TechNet/MSDN Subscribers for evaluation. Microsoft has also announced that Windows SBS 2011 Standard will be available to Volume Licensing in early January and as a trial in mid-January. SBS 2011 requires an Internet connection.
  • October 10, 2012 – Windows Server 2012 Essentials
In July of 2012, it was announced that there would not be another Windows Small Business Server product after SBS 2011. SBS 2011 Essentials was succeeded by Windows Server 2012 Essentials.[30] One of the primary differences between Windows Server 2012 Essentials and previous versions of Small Business Server is that Windows Server 2012 Essentials does not include Microsoft Exchange which is used for messaging and collaboration, including the ability to host email.
  • September 9, 2013 – Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials is an earlier version of Windows Server Essentials designed for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials can also be used as the primary server in a multi-server environment for small businesses.
  • October 12, 2016 – Windows Server 2016 Essentials
Windows Server 2016 Essentials is the previous version of Windows Server Essentials designed for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. Server Essentials can also be used as the primary server in a multi-server environment for small businesses.
  • November 13, 2018 – Windows Server 2019 Essentials
Windows Server 2019 Essentials is the latest version of Windows Server Essentials designed for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. Server Essentials can also be used as the primary server in a multi-server environment for small businesses.
Windows Server 2019 Essentials removed many features found in pervious versions of Windows Server Essentials as the Windows Server Essentials Experience role has been removed from all Windows Server 2019 SKUs. The removal of this role has removed the Remote Web Access, Essentials Connector, Client PC Backup, Office 365 integration and the Windows Server Essentials Dashboard.[31][32]

References
  1. "What's New in Windows Server 2019 Essentials". Technet. Microsoft.
  2. "Frequently Asked Questions" (PDF). Windows Server Essentials portal. Microsoft. October 5, 2012. p. 1. Retrieved July 11, 2013. Q: Why did Microsoft change the name of Windows Small Business Server Essentials to Windows Server Essentials? A: [...]
  3. WindowsServer2003-KB914961-SP2-x86-ENU.exe (December 3, 2007). "Download: Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (32-bit x86)". Microsoft.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  4. ToDownLoadFilesandReadInstructions.htm (August 18, 2012). "Download: Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1)". Microsoft.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  5. "Windows Small Business Server 2008 Technical FAQ". Microsoft Technet. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved June 9, 2010. Windows Server 2008 Standard FE is the shortened name for Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions. When you run the Winver tool you will see this reference.
  6. "Managing Licenses in Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions". Technet.microsoft.com. March 10, 2009. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  7. "SBS 2008 RC1 and EBS 2008 RC1 finalised". Geekzone.co.nz. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  8. "Windows Server Essentials". Microsoft Technet. Microsoft. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  9. "Update on Windows Server 2019 availability". Windows Server Blog. Microsoft.
  10. "Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2: Frequently Asked Questions". Microsoft. July 11, 2006. Retrieved September 2, 2006.
  11. "Microsoft SQL Server Editions | The Cloud Ready Information Platform". Microsoft.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  12. "Microsoft Windows Small Business Server (SBS) Features". Microsoft.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  13. "Licensing – Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2: Frequently Asked Questions". Microsoft. Retrieved September 2, 2006.
  14. "Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Transition Pack". Microsoft.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  15. ToDownLoadFilesandReadInstructions.htm (August 18, 2012). "Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1". Microsoft.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  16. "SBS 2008: Released to Manufacturing! – The Windows Server Essentials and Small Business Server Blog". Blogs.technet.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  17. "SBS 2008 editions". Microsoft.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  18. "Introducing the Windows Essential Server Solutions Family of Products". Blogs.technet.com. February 20, 2008. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  19. SBS Server #1 is required to be 64-bit; SBS Server #2 will provide the option to run as either 32-bit or 64-bit. Microsoft unveils new Small Business Server
  20. http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsserver/essential/graphics/sbs/SBS_BusinessCapacity.jpg
  21. "Overview Windows Small Business Server 2008 (Code Name: Cougar)" (in German). Translate.google.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  22. "Preparing your Network for Small Business Server 2008". Sbs.seandaniel.com. May 1, 2008. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  23. "Migrate to Windows Small Business Server 2008 from Windows Small Business Server 2003". Technet.microsoft.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  24. "Migrate to Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard from Windows Small Business Server 2003". Technet.microsoft.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  25. e.g. Migration Tool has increased default 7 day Active Directory coexistence period to 21 days to address this
  26. "Installing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 on a Server Running Windows Small Business Server 2003". Technet.microsoft.com. April 27, 2009. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  27. "Small Business Server 2008 (SBS 2008) Released to Manufacturing". Geekzone.co.nz. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  28. "Microsoft SMB Community Blog". Blogs.msdn.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  29. "SBS 2008 and the usage of CAL's". Social.technet.microsoft.com. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  30. Windows Small Business Server Essentials becomes Windows Server 2012 Essentials
  31. eross-msft. "What's New in Windows Server 2019 Essentials". docs.microsoft.com. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  32. "Windows Server 2019 - end of an era". The Office Maven. September 7, 2018.

Further reading
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