Thread: Windows 2003

Client access licenses (CALs) allow authenticated users to connect to the server for the purposes of file/print sharing, etc. They're not required in a hosting environment.

2003 Web is a 'cut down' version which doesn't come with any CALs and which won't allow you to run apps such as MSSQL and Exchange. Aside from that, everything you need is there - should be perfect for hosting unless you need to run MS SQL.

2003 Standard gives you everything Web doesn't.

Enterprise supports upto 8 CPUs and 32GB of RAM. Probably somewhat overkill in this instance .

Hope that helps .

Originally Posted by adamsmith

2003 Web is a 'cut down' version which doesn't come with any CALs and which won't allow you to run apps such as MSSQL and Exchange. Aside from that, everything you need is there - should be perfect for hosting unless you need to run MS SQL.

Also some limits in terms of maximum RAM and number of CPUs.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...rview/web.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv.../standard.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...eeditions.mspx

Originally Posted by Jase

Big help thank-you

What sort of price range am I looking at?

Anywhere between £0/month and £20/month for Web or Standard on a dedicated server, depending on the hardware spec you're buying.

Originally Posted by JonRohan

One thing to note is that with Windows 2003 web edition you cannot use a full version of MS SQL.

adam beat you to it

Originally Posted by adamsmith

2003 Web is a 'cut down' version which doesn't come with any CALs and which won't allow you to run apps such as MSSQL and Exchange.

Originally Posted by chrisbyrd

adam beat you to it

Darn. Good job I like to read my thread's with full attention.

Originally Posted by Jase

How come im seeing things like "add £10 per month for windows 2003" I thought windows 2003 cost like £300+ ?! :S

They are licenced using the Microsoft SPLA (Service provider licence agreement) where the host pays a monthly fee for Windows.

Originally Posted by Jase

Any other information about that? url?

http://www.microsoft.com/serviceproviders/licensing/

Originally Posted by Jase

Any other information about that? url?

The ~£300 licence you are talking about is the standard end user purchase server licence which is provided as EULA (End User Licencing Agreement). This is what it says, end user use only, ie. you are not allowed as a provider to buy it, and resell it, or use it for reselling services.

Providers use SPLA which provides the licences on a monthly rental, varying depending on what type of product it is, Server Web/Std/Enterprise editions, SQL Server Std/Enterprise editions etc, whether you want unlimited unauthenticated connections, a fixed number of authenticated connections etc.