Windows Small Business Server 2003: Frequently Asked Questions

By having a choice between two editions of Windows Small Business Server 2003, you receive greater flexibility in cost, security, and complexity. With Windows Small Business Server 2003, you reap tremendous value from your investment because you can protect and control your information, increase worker productivity, and take advantage of the Internet.

No. The standard edition of Windows Small Business Server 2003 includes basic firewall services, but ISA Server is available only in the premium edition of Windows Small Business Server 2003. For more information about the offerings of both editions of Windows Small Business Server 2003, see Features at a Glance.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 is built on Windows Server 2003 technology, including its basic firewall features (using Routing and Remote Access Service) and rigorous security enhancements.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 does not include Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), but it does support it. WSUS (previously called Windows Update Services) is the new name for the next version of Software Update Services (SUS). Windows Server Update Services is available as a free download from the Microsoft WSUS Web site.

To learn more about WSUS, see the Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services on Windows Small Business Server 2003 and visit the WSUS TechCenter.

Yes. Windows Small Business Server 2003 includes a fix for the Blaster worm and installs the fix during Setup.

If third-party antivirus software is compatible with Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server 2003, then it is also compatible with Windows Small Business Server 2003. We recommend that your antivirus software be "Exchange aware," and that it be based on a server-client configuration, rather than on a purely client or desktop solution. Additionally, you should use appropriate antivirus software for the client computers in your network.

Yes. Both the standard edition and the premium edition of Windows Small Business Server 2003 include Outlook 2003. Each Windows Small Business Server 2003 client access license (CAL) allows either one user or one device to run a copy of Outlook 2003.

Yes. Exchange Server 2003 can be configured to block some spam, and Outlook 2003 also blocks spam using enhanced filters. These filters can be configured automatically using Windows Small Business Server 2003. For more information about blocking unsolicited e-mail in Windows Small Business Server 2003, see the topic "Unsolicited e-mail is being delivered to Exchange server mailboxes" in Windows Small Business Server 2003 Troubleshooting.

Yes. An enhanced version of Microsoft Connector for POP3 Mailboxes is included with both the standard edition and the premium edition of Windows Small Business Server 2003. Microsoft Connector for POP 3 Mailboxes can be configured to automatically download POP3 mail from your Internet service provider (ISP) at intervals of 15 minutes or more.

Yes. Windows Small Business Server 2003 includes Microsoft Shared Fax Service. For more information about the offerings of both the standard edition and the premium edition, see Features at a Glance.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 directs incoming faxes to one mailbox (for example, the Administrator mailbox), to multiple mailboxes, to a folder on the server, to a printer, or to a document library in Windows SharePoint Services. It does not direct incoming faxes to the mailboxes of individual users.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition includes SQL Server 2000 and Microsoft ISA Server 2000. The standard edition does not. For more information about the offerings of both the standard edition and the premium edition, see Features at a Glance.

No. It is not possible to run Terminal Services in Application Server mode on Windows Small Business Server 2003. This is a change from Small Business Server 2000. Running Terminal Services in Application Server mode on a domain controller may present a security risk to your network.
If you want to use Terminal Services in Application Server mode, we recommend that you purchase an additional Windows Server 2003 license and install an additional server running Windows Server into the Windows Small Business Server 2003 domain. For more information, see Deploying Windows Server 2003 Terminal Server to Host User Desktops in a Windows Small Business Server 2003 Environment.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 supports up to two physical CPU processors and up to four virtual CPU processors. For more information about support for multiple CPU processors, consult the Web site of your hardware manufacturer.

Yes. You can customize the internal Windows SharePoint Services-based Web site in several ways. The architecture of the Web site is based on the digital dashboard, which uses a common Web Part framework, so you can add many types of Web Parts to the site directly. Additionally, you can customize the site more extensively by using FrontPage 2003, which is included with the premium edition of Windows Small Business Server 2003.

There can be only one Windows Small Business Server 2003 server in a domain. Each Windows Small Business Server 2003 server is typically connected to the Internet either directly, or via a firewall. Windows Small Business Server 2003 does not support trusts between domains; therefore, user names and resources could not be shared between those Windows Small Business Server 2003 servers. Further, Windows Small Business Server 2003 installs at the root of the Active Directory forest, and it cannot be demoted, or have the flexible single-master operation (FSMO) roles removed.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 cannot be used in a branch office scenario because it does not support Active Directory trusts and must be installed at the root of the forest.

Yes, you can use any earlier version of Outlook instead of Outlook 2003. A Windows Small Business Server 2003 CAL entitles each user or device to use Outlook 2003 or any previous version.

Authenticated access is defined as an exchange of user or application credentials between the server software and a user or device. An example of unauthenticated access is unidentified users browsing your public Web site. Windows Small Business Server CALs are not required for these users.

If you are running the trial (evaluation) version of Windows Small Business Server 2003, you can upgrade to the retail version by running Setup again using the retail media. For details, see the "To complete an upgrade" procedure on the Upgrading to Windows Small Business Server 2003 page. Additionally, you can also upgrade an evaluation version of Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition.

Note If your server is running either Small Business Server 4.5 or Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server, you must complete a migration to a new server.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 does not support the installation of enterprise (or upgraded versions) of server technologies on to a Windows Small Business Server 2003 server. As your business needs change, however, you can protect your investment in Windows Small Business Server 2003 by purchasing the transition pack. The transition pack releases the licensing and technology limitations of Windows Small Business Server 2003, but you must purchase and install the technology upgrades yourself.

Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server is designed for partners who want to deliver a server solution based on Windows Server 2003 as part of their product offering. It provides the same version of Windows Server 2003 that is used by Windows Small Business Server 2003, but it has none of the added features included in the standard edition or premium edition of Windows Small Business Server 2003.

Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server has the following restrictions:

No. Windows Small Business Server 2003 does not have an external connector. It's a typo in the PUR.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1 is available now. It includes the latest updates to Windows Small Business Server 2003 and its product technologies, including:

Additionally, the following updates are available for the Premium Edition only:

For more information on Service Pack 1, see Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

For detailed technical information about this service pack, see What's New for Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

For existing Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard Edition customers, Service Pack 1 is available as a free download. You may also order the CD package for a nominal fee, including shipping and handling and applicable taxes. For Premium Edition customers, the Standard Edition Service Pack 1 is available as a free download; however, it will also be necessary to order the Service Pack 1 Premium CD package as Premium-Edition specific updates are only available on the CD package.

Download Service Pack 1—If you choose the download Service Pack 1, you will need to allocate sufficient time to do so as the process includes five separate downloads and may take considerable time, depending upon your Internet speed.

Order Service Pack 1 on CDs—During the ordering process, the Windows Small Business Server 2003 Product Key used in your original installation will be required. The Product Key is located on the back of your product CD case or on the side of your server box if your current version was purchased through an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

New customers who purchase Windows Small Business Server 2003 after the release of Service Pack 1 will most likely have Service Pack 1 updates included in their purchase. For those customers who purchase Windows Small Business Server 2003 preinstalled on hardware, in some instances Service Pack 1 will also be preinstalled.

Interoperability and integrated design are two cornerstones of Windows Small Business Server 2003; they are what make the product so valuable to small business customers. Microsoft has taken considerable care to ensure Service Pack 1 updates seamlessly install together.

No. There are specific features in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 that, because they perform similar functions to those in Windows Small Business Server 2003, are not necessary.

Security is an important part of Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1, as we understand that customers of all sizes need the same level of security. All of the functionality provided by the Security Configuration Wizard in Windows Server 2003 is also available in the Configure E-mail and Internet Connection Wizard in Windows Small Business Server 2003. Furthermore, the wizard also integrates and configures security on behalf of all the additional Windows Small Business Server 2003 components not found in Windows Server 2003. Examples include:

The Configure E-mail and Internet Connection Wizard has also been updated in Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition Service Pack 1 to include additional security best practices and additional integration components for ISA 2004.

Server and client firewalls are completely different in how they are used and managed, and so different approaches are required with Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1. On the server, we leverage firewall services provided by either RRAS or ISA Server 2000 (Premium Edition only), and so the Windows firewall will be turned off by default (it is also currently turned off in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1). On the client side, we turn on the Windows Firewall, and configure group policy automatically to best protect and integrate with the services provided by the Window Small Business Server 2003 network.

Because it is a prerequisite to installing Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1, if you have already installed Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, it is not necessary to uninstall the service pack. However, if you must uninstall Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 to address a known issue, you will be required to reinstall the service pack when you install Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

All of the component service packs are required in order to install Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

Microsoft fully tests and supports installing any updates or service packs to the component technologies that ship with Windows SBS at the time of its release. If issues do arise after the release of a Windows SBS component update, Microsoft will work to address the issue as quickly as possible.

Yes. Exchange Server 2003 SP2 is fully supported on Windows SBS 2003 with Service Pack 1, as with all component service packs to Windows SBS (Windows Server, ISA Server, Windows Server, Exchange Server, and SQL Server).

Windows SBS 2003 customers can take advantage of the storage limit changes implemented in Exchange Server 2003 SP2.

Downloading a full product online wouldn't be convenient for customers. It would take a too much time.

Microsoft has updated the Configure E-mail and Internet Connection Wizard to include additional integration components that will help customers experience an easy ISA 2004 installation. Because of this new feature, we recommend that customers and partners wait to install ISA 2004 as part of Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

There are components of SQL Server that also run on Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard Edition.

By default, SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE) 2000 Service Pack 4 is automatically applied to the instances of SQL Server 2000 MSDE that were installed during Windows Small Business Server 2003 Setup, including the Monitoring (SBSMONITORING) MSDE instance and the SharePoint Services (SHAREPOINT) WMSDE instance.

Additionally, if you have Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition, and you have installed ISA 2004, MSDE Service Pack 4 is automatically applied to the ISA Server 2000 Firewall (MSFW) MSDE instance. You will also need to install SQL Server Service Pack 4 if you are running instances of SQL Server 2000.

To ensure the highest level of compatibility with Windows Server 2003, ISVs are encouraged to certify their applications with the Certified for Windows program. However, there are many customized line-of-business applications produced for small business customers by local partners, making application compatibility more challenging to track. To ensure compatibility, Microsoft encourages partners who have produced unique applications for customers to test their applications for compatibility with Windows Server 2003 SP1. As a first step to ensure SP1 compatibility, you can download the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit.

Small business customers can find live and self-support help options on the Small Business Technical Support Page.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 (SBS 2003 R2) is an update release to the award-winning SBS 2003 product, providing new features to address the growing needs of small businesses. SBS 2003 R2 will offer increased productivity and functionality by adding automated network-wide patch and update management, increased mailbox limits to 75 GB, expanded client access license (CAL) rights (for access to additional Exchange Server 2003 and SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition servers in the SBS 2003 R2 network), and the inclusion of the new SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition in SBS 2003 R2 Premium Edition.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 is scheduled to release-to-manufacturing in the second quarter of 2006 (English version; localized languages will follow).

No. Most of the new features in Windows Server 2003 R2 are designed for medium- to large-sized businesses, and therefore are not applicable to the small business customer. SBS 2003 R2 will only include one Windows Server 2003 R2 component and that component is Windows SharePoint Services Service Pack 2. SBS 2003 R2 will also include updates to Exchange Server 2003 (Service Pack 2), and new automated patch and update management (WSUS 2.0). The Premium version of SBS 2003 R2 will also include SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition.

One of the key benefits of SBS 2003 R2 is the integration of leading server technologies, including Windows Server and Exchange Server. Because of this, SBS must release after all of its product components have been released, and after completing additional integration and testing.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 will be available through the following channels:

In addition, Microsoft plans to offer a “Technology Guarantee” program ***, beginning March 1, 2006 for customers who purchase SBS 2003 from an original equipment manufacturer or a system builder. Customers that purchase SBS 2003 prior to March 1, 2006 should consider purchasing Software Assurance so they can obtain SBS 2003 R2.

*Software Assurance contract must be active when SBS 2003 R2 releases-to-manufacturing.
**The purchase of new client access licenses (CALs) will not be required with SBS 2003 R2.
***The Technology Guarantee will be available from March 1, 2006 to 60 days after SBS 2003 R2 releases-to-manufacturing (will vary by geography).

Specific pricing information has not been announced. Please see above for specific ways to obtain Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2, once released.

If your Software Assurance contract is current at the time that SBS 2003 R2 releases-to-manufacturing, then you will be entitled to SBS 2003 R2 through your normal fulfillment channel for a nominal shipping and handling fee.

SBS 2003 R2 Premium Edition will include the recently released SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition.

SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition has many of the key new features of SQL Server 2005, including programmability improvements such as CLR integration and SQL Service Broker support, Reporting Services, including the new end-user reporting tool, Report Builder, and SQL Server Management Studio, a new management tool for SQL Server 2005. These are all new features that come with SQL Server 2005 and are not available in SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition.

For more information on SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition, visit http://www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/workgroup/default.mspx.

Yes. SQL Server Reporting Services, including the new Report Builder and end-user reporting tool, will be available as part of SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition, which will be integrated into SBS 2003 R2 Premium Edition.

Most applications designed for SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition will be compatible with SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition. However it is important to review the backward compatibility documentation for SQL Server 2005.

Thoroughly testing your application in a test environment with SQL Server 2005 is recommended before upgrading your existing production application installation to SQL Server 2005.

No, you will need to upgrade to SBS 2003 R2 Premium, unless you have Software Assurance (see above). In addition, if you purchase SQL Server 2005 Workgroup and join it to your SBS 2003 network, you will need to purchase SQL Server 2005 Workgroup CALs to access the server. Upgrading to SBS 2003 R2 Premium is the most cost-effective way to obtain SQL Server 2005 Workgroup technology.

In order to prevent the database from growing unexpectedly after an upgrade, the limit is set to 18 GB and can be set up to 75 GB by using a registry key. For more information about setting the limit, see Database Size Limit Configuration and Management on the Microsoft Exchange Server TechCenter.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 and Windows Small Business Server 2003 with SP1 run well on 64-bit capable CPUs today. Customers today will see performance benefits running 32-bit Windows Small Business Server 2003 on 64-bit chips. To build a 64-bit version of Small Business Server, we need all the Small Business Server components, such as Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server, to be 64-bit. Once these products reach 64-bit capability, we will evaluate a version of 64-bit Small Business Server based on customer need.

We are still evaluating whether this will be the case, but we encourage customers and partners to begin thinking about the transition to 64-bit computing and preparing for migration of applications to the x64 platform. As discussed at the 2005 WinHEC conference, the industry is beginning its move to 64-bit computing.

There will be a Longhorn version of Windows Small Business Server, but at this time we do not have details of the features of this release.

As we release new and updated versions of Small Business Server, we will typically include the latest version of the components at that time. When releases occur "out of cycle" of Small Business Server, we will evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis and continue to consider customer needs. It is important to remember that one of the main customer benefits of Small Business Server is the integration built into the product-by changing components or technologies, it could affect the overall design or integration. The inclusion of ISA 2004 in Small Business Server 2003 is a special case.

Microsoft CRM 3.0 runs on Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium edition.

Microsoft Update is a new service that is designed to make it easier for you to update Windows, Office, and other Microsoft applications, all in one place. Microsoft Update provides the same updates that you get from Windows Update, plus high-priority updates for Windows Small Business Server, Exchange Server, and SQL Server.

Yes. Microsoft Update includes updates for Windows SBS.

Microsoft Update currently supports updates for Windows Small Business Server, Windows Server, Windows SharePoint Services, Exchange Server, SQL Server, and Outlook.

Yes. Microsoft Update does not offer Service Pack 1 for Windows SBS 2003 or the service packs for Exchange Server 2003.

Because Windows SBS 2003 can be installed and configured in a variety of ways, and because Service Pack 1 for Windows SBS consists of multiple updates, you cannot install Service Pack 1 for Windows SBS through Microsoft Update.

Although Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 has released, it is recommended that you wait to install this service pack with Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1. For more information, see Windows Small Business Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 Known Issues.

For information about migrating from Small Business Server 4.5 or Small Business Server 2000 to Windows Small Business Server 2003, see Upgrading to Windows Small Business Server 2003.

No. However, customers running Small Business Server 4.5 can migrate to a different computer running Windows Small Business Server 2003. For information about migrating from Small Business Server 4.5 or Small Business Server 2000 to Windows Small Business Server 2003, see Upgrading to Windows Small Business Server 2003.

Yes. You can upgrade from Windows 2000 Server to Windows Small Business Server 2003, even if the computer running Windows 2000 Server is a domain controller. For more information, see Upgrading to Windows Small Business Server 2003.

For information on this, see System Requirements.

No. The server applications that come with the product must be installed on the same physical machine, if they are installed at all. The only exception is that FrontPage 2003, which is included with the premium edition, may be installed on a single client computer in the Windows Small Business Server 2003 network.

Yes. Windows Small Business Server 2003 Setup installs the hotfix for the MSBlaster worm, as well as a number of critical security updates and hotfixes that were available at the time the product was released to manufacturing. Setup installs the following hotfixes and critical security updates:

For more information about these updates, see the corresponding article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. To help keep your server and clients as secure as possible, visit Windows Update regularly, and install the recommended critical updates.

There are no limits on the number or type of servers that can exist in a Windows Small Business Server 2003 domain, with the following exceptions:

Yes. One way is to install Windows Server 2003 at the remote site, and then configure it as a replica domain controller. This enables Active Directory information to replicate at the remote site, so that authentication requests do not have to travel over the slow data link. Also, using Outlook 2003 in Cached Exchange mode minimizes the amount of e-mail traffic between remote clients and the server.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 fully supports external hardware firewall devices. Windows Small Business Server 2003 can automatically detect and configure most Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) devices by using the Configure E-Mail and Internet Connection Wizard, but the wizard may not be able to configure UPnP devices that use a proprietary implementation of the protocol. If your hardware firewall device does not support UPnP, you can still use the device with your server. Consult the documentation that came with the device to manually configure firewall settings. You should also consult your hardware manufacturer for BIOS updates when applicable.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 does not automatically create shortcuts on the user's desktop for the Company and User folders. This is a change from Small Business Server 2000, and it was made to accommodate customer requests for an uncluttered desktop.

If you want to run Outlook Web Access on a separate physical server, you must purchase an additional copy of Exchange Server 2003 Standard Edition and the appropriate number of Exchange client access licenses (CALs).

Not exactly. The option to use "Outlook over the Internet" enables RPC over HTTP in Windows Small Business Server 2003. RPC over HTTP is a new feature in Exchange Server 2003 and in Outlook 2003. Using RPC over HTTP, remote users can enjoy the full Outlook client experience without the need to first establish a virtual private network (VPN) connection. RPC over HTTP wraps the original RPC commands from Outlook into the HTTP protocol, then encrypts them using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), so all traffic between the remote client and the server occurs over SSL/HTTPS. RPC ports are not exposed to the Internet when using this feature. For more information about RPC over HTTP, see Configuring Outlook 2003 for RPC over HTTP on the Office Online Web site.

No. Windows Small Business Server 2003 provides full functionality for RPC over HTTP.

Many small businesses that purchase Windows Small Business Server 2003 already use pre-existing POP3 mailbox accounts. After these businesses configure Exchange for e-mail services, they need a way to transition from their old e-mail addresses based on POP3 to their new addresses based on the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). The Microsoft Connector for POP3 Mailboxes provides an easy way to continuously retrieve e-mail sent to pre-existing e-mail addresses and deliver it to the new SMTP ones. Users can now view all of their mail from a single, integrated Inbox in Outlook 2003. Use of the POP3 connector also assists in better filtering for unsolicited e-mail because message delivery is controlled by the Exchange server, not by client computers.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 Backup cannot be used to restore individual e-mail messages or files from user mailboxes. However, Windows Small Business Server 2003 stores deleted e-mail messages and files on the server for a period of time so an end user can restore them without assistance from the person responsible for the network. For more information, see "Recover deleted items or folders that were permanently deleted" in Outlook 2003 Help.

It is recommended that you do a full backup, including the system state, before you migrate to Windows Small Business Server 2003. You should also test the backup before proceeding with the migration. Keep in mind that the server configuration depends on the specifics of the network topology and the needs of your business.

No. This problem has been corrected. Windows Small Business Server 2003 uses the Volume Shadow Copy service to back up all open files, even while all server services are up and running. This includes SQL Server and Exchange Server data, which can be backed up in simple recovery mode.

Yes. SQL Server and Exchange Server data can be backed up in simple recovery mode using the Volume Shadow Copy service. Only a momentary interruption in service is required.

You can back up your server to a tape drive, to a local hard disk drive or CD drive on the server, to a removable hard disk drive on the server, or to a network share within the domain. Consult the Windows Server Catalog site to determine which hardware is compatible with Windows Server 2003.