SBS 2008 opinions

[janesssssy]

Well, I cant put it off anylonger I am setting up a new sbs 2008 server for a company on saturday.

Job is for 15 users pulling the emails down through the pop connector. and server will be holding 2TB of data. ..... nice

A bit of background to my training:

I have done all three MCTP server 2008 exams
I am an administrator for 2008 enterprise and sbs 2003


Opinions of SBS 2008

GOD DAMN RUBBISH!!!!!Compared to sbs 2003

I mean why is exchange so "clunky" - I want the neat and tidy exchange manager back
Amoungst other things the wizards are killing me, even sbs2003 wasnt thisbad!

 

[madman045]

Im guessing then you havent used Exchange 2007 much as thats the interface for the product?

As for the wizards, haven't had a problem so far, infact its been a lot easier with SBS 2008 and things have worked first time.

I am a little confused as to why you would want SBS if the users are just collecting via pop, surely Outlook Anywhere would be better or even the new OWA?

Of just 2008 server with a mail server such as Vpop3 and let them collect via pop that way?

 

[mdjmcnally]

Most admins that know real 2008 don't like SBS or Essentials, as they know what they are doing already and these products make you use the wizards to do things the way that Microsoft wants you too.

However if you are coming from the reverse method in that never used full 2008, Exchange etc then the products are useful as guides you through getting something that works, but not necessarily the most efficent time as holds your hand so much.

Frustrating for the experienced people from larger systems, however SBS isn't aimed at you.

 

[marin]

Well, I cant put it off anylonger I am setting up a new sbs 2008 server for a company on saturday.

Job is for 15 users pulling the emails down through the pop connector. and server will be holding 2TB of data. ..... nice

A bit of background to my training:

I have done all three MCTP server 2008 exams
I am an administrator for 2008 enterprise and sbs 2003


Opinions of SBS 2008

GOD DAMN RUBBISH!!!!!Compared to sbs 2003

I mean why is exchange so "clunky" - I want the neat and tidy exchange manager back
Amoungst other things the wizards are killing me, even sbs2003 wasnt thisbad!

I had problems with SBS 2008 when I first tried it out as well, but after using it for three months now, I'm starting to get used to it, not too sure about the powershell as I think they are better suited to larger installs instead of SBS, but I suppose it is good experience for the future.

I have been using SBS since version 4.0 and I have found that SBS installs by Admins are usually pretty bad as they do not understand the product.

Also SBS 2008 is real 2008 as is Exchange & SQL and not cut-down versions as some people think they are.

We have just changed over to SBS 2008 last weekend and it went very well.

I'm currently setting up a SBS 2008 system for a customer at the moment and this will be finished tomorrow and I have another five customers who want to upgrade to it as soon as possible.

 

[s0ck]

and I have another five customers who want to upgrade to it as soon as possible.

Really? You have five customers actively wanting the latest from Redmond, in the middle of an economic downturn, when the current (presumably SBS2003) probably caters for all their needs and there is likely nil business case for upgrading?

I bet you love those customers

 

[marin]

Really? You have five customers actively wanting the latest from Redmond, in the middle of an economic downturn, when the current (presumably SBS2003) probably caters for all their needs and there is likely nil business case for upgrading?

I bet you love those customers

All five have Servers that are reaching the end of their life, they all want to go for 64bit operating systems more RAM, hard drive space & more users and also want to use Terminal Servers, may as well go for SBS 2008 64bit edition, than spending money on software that is now five odd years old.

Plus they all value and recognise the value of IT to their businesses, so they will invest in their systems, unlike some customers I have whose Severs are past it and whose employees are always complaining about speed of access etc.

We may be in an economic downturn, but the way I see it there are still opportunities out there, especially if you have a good reputation that is passed from business to business.

 

[iaind]

All five have Servers that are reaching the end of their life, they all want to go for 64bit operating systems more RAM, hard drive space & more users and also want to use Terminal Servers, may as well go for SBS 2008 64bit edition, than spending money on software that is now five odd years old.

Plus they all value and recognise the value of IT to their businesses, so they will invest in their systems, unlike some customers I have whose Severs are past it and whose employees are always complaining about speed of access etc.

We may be in an economic downturn, but the way I see it there are still opportunities out there, especially if you have a good reputation that is passed from business to business.

Personally, if it was me and I was supporting networks running SBS and facing that sort of expansion and desire for performance I'd definitely look at moving to the full Windows Server system.

Without knowing the exact requirements its difficult to say whether it would add up, but if any of the companies are charities then it will be a LOT cheaper to make the move.

Something like a DL380 G5, a free copy of ESXi and separate images for a DC, a File Server, an Exchange server, SQL server etc.

That way, if you can see a need for an upgrade to Exchange 07, for example, you wont need to upgrade the whole shebang. Plus the usual benefits -Exchange needs a reboot because you've installed new AV software, everything else is still available.

Just my 2p..

 

[marin]

Personally, if it was me and I was supporting networks running SBS and facing that sort of expansion and desire for performance I'd definitely look at moving to the full Windows Server system.

Without knowing the exact requirements its difficult to say whether it would add up, but if any of the companies are charities then it will be a LOT cheaper to make the move.

Something like a DL380 G5, a free copy of ESXi and separate images for a DC, a File Server, an Exchange server, SQL server etc.

That way, if you can see a need for an upgrade to Exchange 07, for example, you wont need to upgrade the whole shebang. Plus the usual benefits -Exchange needs a reboot because you've installed new AV software, everything else is still available.

Just my 2p..

I will be sticking with SBS 2008 due to having all required technology such as Exchange 2007 and SQL 2008 along with two Server licences and it can all be placed in Hyper-V Server. Also they all have <75 Users.

This all costs a lot less than a full Windows Server System, anyway if a customer required more or went over 75 Users, you can upgrade to the Full Windows Server at any time.

For charity users, I can get hold of almost all Microsoft software + licences for just an Admin fee from a special charity outlet, so the only cost would hardware and config.

I usually go with HP ML350 G5 as the Main Server as many customers only have a small network cabinet or have them filled with telephone and security equipment so that there is no room left in them !

 

[iaind]

I suppose it depends on what the companies need/want too. The company I work for is a housing association, so its a registered charity but we only get Academic pricing. Last time I looked, you couldnt get the Academic discound on SBS so it makes the full blown system much, much cheaper.
The network isnt much above the 75 user limit (about 90 ATM) but the requirements are way beyond that of 1 server (About 15 DL380 G4s but being consolidated to 3 Sun x4440 4x4/32gb with VMWare).
I've always liked SBS in principal but as someone who's worked with Windows/Exhcange/SQL normally I always find myself wanting to skip all the wizards and things, which kind of defeats the point

 

[marin]

I suppose it depends on what the companies need/want too. The company I work for is a housing association, so its a registered charity but we only get Academic pricing. Last time I looked, you couldnt get the Academic discound on SBS so it makes the full blown system much, much cheaper.
The network isnt much above the 75 user limit (about 90 ATM) but the requirements are way beyond that of 1 server (About 15 DL380 G4s but being consolidated to 3 Sun x4440 4x4/32gb with VMWare).
I've always liked SBS in principal but as someone who's worked with Windows/Exhcange/SQL normally I always find myself wanting to skip all the wizards and things, which kind of defeats the point

If you are a registered charty go over to http://www.ctxchange.org/ and get software etc. for next to nothing.

I use the SBS wizards for the general setup, but use the normal Windows, Exchange, SQL tools just as normal as they are all still there, you just have to know how SBS works.

Seeing as I have been using SBS almost since it was first released, been a tester for Microsoft and been to conferences and run many business on it for several years now I’m a bit of a convert, but I do use the full blown Microsoft products for other projects as well.

 

[iaind]

Interesting, I'll have to have a look at that site in more detail tomorrow.
The pricing we get on the Acadmic program is pretty cheap but its not next to nothing. My most recent purchase was Exchange 2007 with 100 CALs for about £500 (standard CALs, standard Server)

 

[janesssssy]

Well, all setup and working. Which is a start.
I guess with a new product it just takes time getting used too. The only problem we have is that AD users and computers console now crashes which is cuasing concern. comes up with a C++ error after a windows update

But apart from that im sure I will change my opinion slightly. Although still prefer Server 2008 and exchange 2007 as full products.