Windows Server Essentials


Windows Server Essentials is an integrated server suite from Microsoft designed for running network infrastructure of small and midsize businesses having no more than 25 users or 50 devices. Application server technologies are tightly integrated to provide and offer management benefits such as integrated setup, enhanced monitoring, Remote Web Workplace, an unified management console, and remote access.
Since the release of SBS 2003, the same service packs as those for Windows Server or other server products can be used to update the OS.

Editions

Initially, Small Business Server was marketed as an edition of Microsoft BackOffice Server. When Windows 2000 was released, it was marketed as Microsoft Small Business Server 2000, and finally was rebranded as a member of the Windows Server 2003 family. In December 2008, Microsoft also introduced a Windows Essential Business Server product aimed at medium-sized businesses, but this was discontinued in June 2010 due to low demand.
Up to SBS 2003, the Premium edition also included Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server and Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003.
The version of Windows Server that is part of Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008, known as Windows Server 2008 for Windows Essential Server Solutions is available outside the product suite, supporting a maximum of 15 Client Access Licenses. SBS 2008 Premium edition will not include ISA Server but will include a Windows Server 2008 license and SQL Server 2008 for running on a second server. Those upgrading to SBS 2008 Premium edition via Software Assurance will be compensated with a free license for the latest version of ISA Server.
Windows Small Business Server 2011 was available in Essentials, Standard, and Premium editions. Essentials is a scaled down version for 1 to 25 users; both the other editions are based on the Windows Server codebase and include Microsoft Exchange Server mail server, Internet Information Services web server, Windows SharePoint Services for collaboration, Microsoft Outlook 2003 email client, Routing and Remote Access Service, Windows Server Update Services for update management across the network, and a Fax server.
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials and Windows Server 2012 Essentials were earlier versions of corresponding releases of Windows Server.
Windows Server 2016 Essentials, based on Windows Server 2016, is the previous version of Server Essentials, released in September 2016 with general availability October 12, 2016.
Windows Server 2019 Essentials, based on Windows Server 2019, is the current version of Server Essentials, initially released in October 2018. Due to the discovery of significant issues, it was re-released with general availability on November 13, 2018.

Design and licensing considerations

All editions of Windows Server Essentials since the 2011 release do not need any client access license.
Windows Small Business Server had its own type of CAL, and included the user CALs for Windows Server, Exchange Server, and eventually SQL Server; the SBS CAL cost more than the Windows Server license, but less than the sum of separate access licenses for the two or three servers.
Windows Small Business Server has the following design restrictions: