If we were to go with the client/server arrangement, and got a low-to mid end Dell server with the foundation setup, is that what you were talking about above for about 700 bucks? Is the OS included in the Foundation setup? Does that include everything we would need?
That is what is so attractive with the Foundation Program. The server and licenses come with it up to 15 users. It isn't SBS, it is the straight Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition R2. That doesn't make it worse -- in fact larger companies would use that server. It would, in fact, give you more flexibility if you wanted to add domains, etc. (but that is getting too technical and something you wouldn't do anyway -- at least not by yourself). You can add Sharepoint and/or Exchange Server later, but that would be more expensive than if you bought SBS right out of the box.
With regards to the "want list", do I have the correct general idea here:
Dell server PowerEdge - about $700
Windows SBS 2008 Premium - $ 1899
With the foundation program (and I would suggest you call either Microsoft or Dell or one of the other seven vendors -- you can probably find one in your area. This is the link to the Dell
http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=ca&CS=cabsdt1&l=en&oc=PET100_F2But, it would not be a PowerEdge. That would be much more expensive. Again, the SBS 2008 Premium would be rather pricey and that is only with 5 CALs I believe. SBS Standard would be cheaper. Or the Foundation Program gives you a free regular 2008 Server which would be a great start. Think of 650 dollars for the server AND the OS AND the licenses.
Notice it has gone up from 629 to 817 or so. That is crazy. I know I could get it back down again.
How is the Foundation setup OS different from the SBS 2008 OS? With regards to the SBS 2008 OS, would we be better going with the standard or premium version, in your opinion?
The Foundation OS = Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition R2. This is an extremely top of the line server. It isn't SBS, but technically it is an OS that big time corps would use so nothing to sneeze at. You could always install SBS 2003 or 2008 later.
You definitely don't need premium for SBS. It would give you SQL Server 2008 instead of 2005, and it would give you Windows Server 2008 integration, something you definitely don't need.
