Which version of 2008?

[TechSupp]

Which version of server 2008 should I get? We currently have 2003 standard and are getting a new server so want to get the right version. Presume I need to get the R2 version but which flavour after that, Standard again, enterprise etc. We are a primary school, and will have the old 2003 server running the WSUS and Printers with the new server running Sophos, AD, DHCP and all the standard bits and pieces. No admin SIMS etc, no intranet etc.

[EduTech]

Window Server 2008 R2: Standard will be able to do everything you need for it to do in your environment, take a look here to find out the differences between the versions:

 

Windows Server 2008 R2: Editions Overview

 

and here is a feature breakdown:

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/r2-differentiated-features.aspx

 

so unless your thinking of using BranchCache or Failover Clustering you won't need enterprise in terms of features.

 

and from a technical point of view:

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/r2-compare-specs.aspx

 

hope that helps,

 

James.

Edited February 3, 2011 by EduTech

[TechSupp]

Thanks, must admit, looked at those pages before i posted but was just bewildered by the options and knowing which options were relevant to me. Only thing i gleaned was that if i wanted to virtualise a server i would need the enterprise version...i think. Dont know if that would be relevant to our small situation anyway, nice but necessary...hmmm?

[sparkeh]

You don't *need* to have enterprise version to virtualise your server. Standard gives you x1 licence to install a virtual instance of 2008R2, enterprise gives you 4 (I think off the top of my head) and data centre is unlimited (again I think).

So if you are planning on virtualising one server then Standard would be fine.

[TechSupp]

Just the info I was looking for

[pete]

It's worth noting that it's usually not the "big" features that make Enterprise vs Standard worthwhile, it's the little "I can't believe they left that out..." features that you only really run into when you least expect it, often when the thing you're trying to do relies on it.

 

In 2003 (for example) Standard was a bit crippled wrt device certificate enrollment. In 2008R2, you only get Advanced Certificate Services with Enterprise.

 

(Yes, I realise you're a primary, this is more for general info).