Facts on Small Business Server

Microsoft is marketing BackOffice Small Business Server 4.5 (SBS) as a software bundle that provides virtually everything that a small business needs to get started in networking.

The entire SBS package installs at one time using a  wizard-based setup engine. The installer provides modem installation and hardware detection options that aren't available in the standalone Windows NT Server installer, and it allows you to spread the 3GB of installation files across several hard disks if necessary.

SBS must be installed as a "clean install" on your server PC: The SBS server must be the Primary Domain Controller (PDC) on your LAN, and the install will fail if another PDC exists on the network.

SBS creates its own private IP network addresses, and the SBS client PC installer uses those addresses to communicate with the client PCs.

SBS uses Windows NT Domain Security, so all users and client PCs must have an account on the server. This will be a major change for those who have been using Windows 95's File and Print sharing services.

SBS provides users with easy access to system administration and maintenance via the SBS Console program. The SBS Console lets users manage user accounts and passwords, client PCs, and shared resources (files, printers, and access to the Internet and fax sharing services) via a simple browser-based interface.

SBS also includes Microsoft Exchange Server, which can handle incoming and outgoing Internet mail, but this feature works best if you have your own Internet domain name.

The Outlook 2000 mail client works with Exchange or public POP mail servers, so you can start with POP mail and move up to Exchange-based mail as your needs dictate.