*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).
Q&A
What is Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2?
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.
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When will Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 be available?
Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 is scheduled to release-to-manufacturing in the second quarter of calendar year 2006 (English version; localized languages will follow).
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Why will Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 become available later than Windows Server 2003 R2?
Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 is an integrated product that includes advancements and improvements in Windows Server 2003 R2 and other key server product technologies. Because of this, Windows Server 2003 R2 delivery to market must occur first. Microsoft is working to ensure that Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 is well integrated for customers.
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How will existing customers obtain Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2? Will it be available for free by download?
Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 will be available through the following channels.
· SBS customers with Software Assurance* may obtain SBS 2003 R2 without purchasing a new server license** for a nominal shipping and handling fee.
· SBS customers without Software Assurance will be able to purchase a new version upgrade SKU via retail, which will enable them to cost-effectively upgrade from any version of SBS (4.0, 4.5, 2000, 2003) to SBS 2003 R2.
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.
(Read the Fine Print)
*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).
How much will Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 cost?
Specific pricing information has not been announced. Please see above for specific ways to obtain Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2.
I have Software Assurance on SBS today. Does that entitle me to SBS 2003 R2?
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 fulfilment channel for a nominal shipping and handling fee.
Which edition of SQL Server 2005 will be included in the SBS 2003 R2 Premium Edition?
SBS 2003 R2 Premium Edition will include the recently released SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition.
What is the difference between SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition (to be included in SBS 2003 R2 Premium) and SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition (included in SBS 2003 Premium)?
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.
Will SBS 2003 R2 Premium Edition include SQL Reporting Services?
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.
Will applications designed for SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition be compatible with SQL 2005 Workgroup 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 available at this link:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143232.aspx.
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.
If I have SBS 2003 Premium Edition, will I be able to obtain SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition for free?
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.
Which features/components of Windows Server 2003 R2 will be included in SBS 2003 R2?
SBS 2003 R2 will include all of the features of Windows Server 2003 R2 that are suited for small businesses. This includes Windows SharePoint Services, and version 3.0 of the Microsoft Management Console.
Where can I learn more about changing the total Exchange Server 2003 mailbox limits?
http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/evaluation/sp2/topten.mspx
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 the Database Size Limit Configuration and Management on the Microsoft Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/exchange/guides/E2k3TechRef/6c4ce7bb-5289-4221-a87c-b9c78ab7c09c.mspx).
If I already use Windows Server Update Services on SBS 2003 with SP1, can I upgrade to SBS 2003 R2? And what happens to my existing WSUS settings?
Yes, you can install SBS 2003 R2 with integrated WSUS over an existing WSUS installation. SBS 2003 R2 will apply a standard configuration that is designed for managing small businesses.
Will SBS 2003 R2 apply every patch or update from Microsoft Update?
SBS 2003 R2 will apply patches and updates for the following Microsoft Update supported products. This product list is current as of December 2005 and will expand over time.
· SBS components: Windows Server 2003 R2, Exchange Server 2003 software updates, Windows SharePoint Services
· Windows Client: Windows XP, Office 2003, including Outlook
· Second Servers/Other Common Applications: Windows Server 2003, SQL Server 2005, Small Business Accounting
Expanded CAL Rights with SBS 2003 R2:
Do the expanded CAL rights apply to existing SBS 2003 or SBS 2003 with SP1 customers?
No, SBS customers will need to upgrade to SBS 2003 R2 in order to receive the expanded CAL rights.
Will SBS 2003 R2 customers need to replace their SBS 2003 CALs to receive the expanded CAL rights?
No the SBS 2003 CAL remains unchanged and works across all three versions of SBS 2003 (SBS 2003, SBS 2003 with SP1 and SBS 2003 R2). You will need to obtain SBS 2003 R2, in order to receive the expanded CAL rights.
Do the expanded CAL rights apply to other SQL servers in the SBS 2003 R2 network (2000 Standard or 2005 Standard)?
No, the expanded CAL rights apply only to SQL 2005 Workgroup Edition servers within an SBS 2003 R2 network.
Do the expanded CAL rights apply to other servers that the small business owns, but are not joined to the SBS 2003 R2 network?
No, the expanded CAL rights only apply to Exchange 2003 and SQL 2005 Workgroup Edition servers that are joined in the SBS 2003 R2 network.
For additional FAQ updates go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/techinfo/overview/generalfaq.mspx