Differences between Exchange SBS 2003 and Exchange 2003

[Ben79]

Im just wondering if there is any difference between Exchange Server 2003 and Exchange bundled with Small business server 2003.

I have a subscription on MS Action Pack and have put up one Windows Server 2003 and have plans to put up an exchange server. But it seems that Exchange will not run smoothly on AD PDC so now im kinda lost.

My company only have 10 clients and one server, so I can't put a dedicated Exchange server.

Should i reinstall the server with SMB Server 2003 with Exchange preinstalled instead?

Ben

 

[58sniper]

The SBS version includes the POP3 connector, and is restricted in routing groups. Standard and Enterprise don't come with the connector, and don't have the same limitations.

And who says you can't put Exchange on your one server. It can be done. SBS is a great way to go, but you can put Exchange on your existing server.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[Ben79]

Ok. I can give it a try and see if it will work.
Does anyone have any links to FAQ:s for Exchange and Windows Server 2003?
Is it nessesary to install Exchange on different parttions for logfiles and such?

Ben

 

[Ben79]

Just me again
I have another server that im going to use as ISA 2004 server instead of our D-Link router.
Can I set the ISA server as primary domain controller and reduce the fuss with Exchange server?

 

[58sniper]

If you search here, you'll find some threads about allocating drives for Exchange. My recommendations are:

2 drives in RAID 1 for the OS
2 drives in RAID 1 for the paging file
2 drives in RAID 1 for the log files
3+ drives in RAID 5 for the stores

Realizing that that is not always possible for everyone, the bare minimum for me is:
2 drives in RAID 1 for OS & paging file
3+ drives in RAID 5 for logs & stores

As for ISA, not sure I understand what you mean by "reduce the fuss". Can you elaborate?

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[Ben79]

My server runs with Raid 10 and have two partitions.

What I ment with the fuss was that currently im running one server with Win2k3,
and it's that server that I want to put Exchange on.

But I have another computer with standard parts such as processor and memory,
and my plan was to use that computer as an ISA server.

So the question is can I use this computer (running ISA 2004) as primary domain controller
instead of the "real server" so the server can run Exchange?.

Lots of questions but thank you for your time...

 

[58sniper]

I'm not so sure I'd recommend running ISA on your DC (unless it was Small Business Server Premium). I'd use a member server for that.

It's recommended that Exchange be on a member server as well. But you can put Exchange on a DC.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[Ben79]

Ok I'll give it a try then. But do you think I should make more partitions for Exchange then?

Thank you for your fast answers

Ben

 

[markdmac]

I have a subscription on MS Action Pack

Action pack media is NOT supposed to be used in a production environment. Doing so voids your agreement for the action pack and puts you in trouble with licensing.

Your most cost effective solution for 10 users is to purchase SBS with a 5 CAL add on (5 cals ship with SBS already).

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[58sniper]

Ya know, I skipped right past that issue and didn't even realize it. Mark's right - you can't use the Action Pack in a production environment.

SBS Standard if you don't want ISA and/or SQL, or
SBS Premium is you DO want either/both.

If you wait a couple of months, SBS R2 will be available.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[Ben79]

Copied this from MS website:

The full-version software offered in the Microsoft Action Pack Subscription Program is not for retail or OEM distribution. The Action Pack software can be used for internal business use, demonstration, testing, education, and evaluation purposes only.

http://members.microsoft.com/partner/indonesia/actionpack/default.aspx

 

[markdmac]

Ben, that is correct, however the Action Pack subscription is only good for a period of ONE YEAR and the licensed software must be uninstalled each year and replaced with your next version.

I ran inot this gotcha at my last job working for a Certified Partner.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[Ben79]

You'r right about the re-enrollment. But that is considerd in our budget.

Ben

 

[markdmac]

So you recreate your entire domain every year? That is nuts.

Retail cost of SBS is only around $800 for standard and $1200 for Premium and it is a lot lower if you buy the OEM version.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark