So I'm looking at trying to get a client of mine to buy an internal file server for their small business...right now they have 1 computer and will be buying 3 more for now and possible more later. Could someone explain to me the open licensing, and the microsoft select licensing and what's going to work for me...There will be one server for now, serving the 4 computers. It will run Active Directory, obviously DNS, DHCP, probably RIS/WDS, and File/Print sharing for the rest of the network, not just SYSVOL..etc... I may try to convince them to go up to 20 CALs instead of just 5...may wait tho..

Also would you guys suggest 2003 Std R2? or Ent. R2? and if the package includes windows server 2003 SP2 on CD will they come as 2 separate discs(which is what I want)? Or does anyone know where I can purchase the full lic and media either with SP2 on a separate disc or not at all?

Thanks for your help.

So I'm looking at trying to get a client of mine to buy an internal file server for their small business...right now they have 1 computer and will be buying 3 more for now and possible more later. Could someone explain to me the open licensing, and the microsoft select licensing and what's going to work for me...There will be one server for now, serving the 4 computers. It will run Active Directory, obviously DNS, DHCP, probably RIS/WDS, and File/Print sharing for the rest of the network, not just SYSVOL..etc... I may try to convince them to go up to 20 CALs instead of just 5...may wait tho..

Also would you guys suggest 2003 Std R2? or Ent. R2? and if the package includes windows server 2003 SP2 on CD will they come as 2 separate discs(which is what I want)? Or does anyone know where I can purchase the full lic and media either with SP2 on a separate disc or not at all?

Thanks for your help.

unless they are looking to cluster or load balance then Standard edition would be the way to go for them, SBS might be an option at well (depending on what they are looking for) are you going to buy the server from a big provider (dell, HP, etc) if so you can pickup the license with the server, if you are looking to buy that few of licenses you aren't going to need any of the licensing programs

the new media will have server 2003 SP2 on one CD and the R2 components on a second CD

thanks. Yes I would probably get the server from HP as far as it looks right now. Is there any way I can still use legacy RIS or Mixed mode WDS after SP2 is installed if I haven't installed either yet? Whenever I install WDS after SP2 is installed, or slipstreamed, it automatically goes to native mode and I dont think I can change it. Thanks.

Edited July 26, 200719 yr by luke.mccormick

if you do dont have RIS installed first, WDS will go directly to Native mode, make sure that RIS is installed first on the Server First

but if SP2 is on the install disk.... which is why i need SP2 separate...for now anyway.

bump, and also will SBS support RIS/WDS?

once you install 2003 and Sp2, load the RIS components before you load WDS, that way you can setup WDS in Mixed mode

but after you install SP2, ris is not available anymore.?

bump