E-Bitz - SBS MVP the Official Blog of the SBS "Diva"

I do get one Support call now due to SA

Ah but I DO get this as a software assurance benefit...

Dear Susan Bradley,

Please note that the content of this email has been created by Microsoft and is being sent to you by Microsoft, on behalf of the Software Assurance Benefit Administrator, Susan Bradley , within your organization.

As a Microsoft Software Assurance customer, your organization is eligible for benefits that can help you get even more value from Microsoft’s technology. 24x7 Problem Resolution Support (PRS) is one of these benefits.

You have been identified as an Authorized Contact to use this 24x7 Phone Support and Web Support Software Assurance benefit. In order to access this benefit you will need the following Software Assurance (SA) Access ID.

SA##########

24x7 Phone Support
When you want to use phone support, dial the PSS support line. You will then be asked to provide your ID. Use the SA Access ID to open problem resolution requests on eligible Server, Windows and Office products. Your organization has a limited number of phone support incidents, using this ID helps limit access to specific individuals. You can find the Product Support Services phone numbers at http://support.microsoft.com/gp/saphone. More information about 24x7 Problem Resolution Support can be found at http://support.microsoft.com/sasupport.

Web Support for Servers with Software Assurance Coverage
For eligible Standard and Enterprise Edition server products with current Software Assurance coverage, the SA Access ID allows you to open problem resolution requests via the web using the Microsoft Online Assisted Support (OAS) interface http://support.microsoft.com/sasupport.

Please note: If you are also an Authorized Contact on a Premier Services contract, then your SA Access ID allows you to open problem resolution requests via the normal Premier Support channels (Premier Online for eligible server products). Support service levels for these various offerings remain unchanged.

For more information about the number of 24x7 Problem Resolution phone support incidents available to your organization or which servers are eligible for this support coverage under your SA Access ID, please do not hesitate to contact your Benefits Administrator, Susan Bradley.

For more information about Software Assurance, please refer to http://www.microsoft.com/licensing.

Please note that the use of this SA Access ID is specifically granted to you, and is bound by the Terms & Conditions of Microsoft's Problem Resolution Support and Support Lifecycle policies. This ID is not transferable to other individuals within or outside your organization.

You should also note that the use and deployment of Problem Resolution Support software, and any other software provided to our organization in connection with Microsoft's Software Assurance enhancements, is subject to the terms and conditions of our Volume License Agreement, the Product Use Rights (PUR) and the applicable eligibility criteria set forth in the Microsoft Product List and the Microsoft Volume Licensing Services (MVLS) web site.

Once again, we welcome you to Microsoft Software Assurance benefits!

Thank you,

Microsoft, on behalf of your Benefits Administrator

What "I" get with SA

Well eweek talked about Microsoft's offering of "Information Work Solution Services" as part of a SA benefit for small to medium firms.  Once again..it's either eweek not getting the facts...or someone at Microsoft doesn't define Small firms like me as a "small firm".

I have SA licenses for Office and Windows and SBS.  I don't have company wide licenses either... so when I looked at the new SA coverage, the only thing I went ..oh..okay I get that new thing.. was one Support call.

As you can see from this chart inside my licensing window (one for the server, one for Office/Windows), only those items that are hyperlinked am I eligible for.  Everything else I'm not.

So on this screen I get some training cdroms... and the biggie advantage for Office on SA... is that Home Use Rights.  The other day my sister was asking what was the cheapest way to get office for a employee at the place where she works and she went "hang on...we're on software assurance..we have a "Home Use Rights" plan.

On this one I get a Virtual PC Express and the biggie for me is that 1 phone call now I get with SA.

But if you are concerned that suddenly "any" certified partner is going to start calling me for a free day long training session...guess again.  Unless your small firms regularly buy a lot of software, we're down below many of these benefits offered by Software Assurance.

Those CAL rights

The other day someone asked if the cal rights in the R2 that allowed you to have and SQL 2005 workgroup or Exchange server without having to buy CALs covered if you had either a Standard or Premium R2 system.

The answer according to the webcast is yes. Obviously you'll still need to buy Server licenses and what not, but the client access rights will be covered by your SBS CALs.

Exactly how many licenses do I have?

I have access to an MSDN license that gives me testing rights to an operating system

I have access to an Action pack license that gives me rights to run the IT side of my business

My firm has a Open Business/Value (whatever the 3 year software assurance is called) because at the time I signed up for it, there was not the MPAN program and since the majority of the firm's income is from consulting other than IT, I didn't feel that it was kosher to be running the firm on my "action pack" license.

I think I'm about as legal as you can get, as least I hope so.  A fellow CPA said to me that what they didn't like the most about Microsoft licensing was the 'wink wink' that seemingly occurs.  That he felt that Microsoft purposely turns a blind eye to the issue of illegal software sales. That oh sure... Bill Gates and make a big deal about it, say that it's going to take 10 years, annoy the heck out of us with Windows Genuine Advantage and Activation, but when push came to shove they needed to put their money where their mouth was and truly make and effort to show they were really and truly serious about piracy.

Two of Vlad's posts showcase this better than anything... first a vendor still selling NFRs and then a Doctor buys the Action pack.

Microsoft... if you want to walk the walk and talk the talk on piracy.... this is where the cliches' come to pass and you put your money where your mouth is.

You spend the Lawyers fees to shut down that vendor.

You train your staff to understand the difference between a Doctor of Medicine and a Implementer of Technology.

The black hole of the transition pack

SBS 2003 has a 'transition pack'.  A method that you can upgrade from SBS 2003's restrictions to the full fledged products of it's big brother servers...and big brother price tag.....and as SBSers go through this transition pack, invaribly they post in the newsgroup "What's the transition like". 

I swear this is a worm hole.... because they ask about it...and never post back.

Well one mortal who has survived in our SBS MVP ranks posted about it and I thought I'd capture it here...from Michael Cocanower of ITsynergy.com

 OK, here's what I found.

Installed the Transition pack on SBS SP1 Premium (running SQL but not ISA). It churned for a while and rebooted twice. Note that you are warned all over the place that you'll have to reinstall all service packs after installing the transition pack. Towards the end of the install, I get a message box "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD. Warning: If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be recovered. To exit, click Cancel. For more information, click Details. Clicking Details got me nowhere, so I clicked Cancel. I thought I was in trouble, and was ready to call PSS. I rebooted after clicking cancel, and much to my surprise, I get prompted that the transition pack was installed successfully. So now the box is in the "I think the transition pack is applied" state. I moved FSMO roles to another box without a problem (something you're only supposed to be able to do post transition pack). I moved Exchange and SQL each to their own box. I am also now running 2 DHCP servers in the environment, and the old SBS box seems to be stable. I'm not sure what else I can do to confirm that the transition pack is OK, but everything seems to be stable at this point.

To give more background... the transition pack was indeed applied successfully... ...the way you check is attempt to disable license logging serivce and sbscore services. If those two services will shut off and stay off, you don't have a SBS box anymore. In this "no longer a SBS box" state, Remote Web Workplace and all the SBS wizards still work, there are just no guarantees that future patches/service packs will break things. 

The 'transititioned' server is now three boxes.  Exchange was the snap migration process to a new box.  SQL LOB app, also a piece of cake.  Sharepoint was the one that needed fixing in permissions, site owners, versions of MSDE and what not.  The site to this day is still chugging...OWA running fine along with Remote Web Workplace...and yes the client fully understands that technically while it still is running, [and they use it quite a bit] there are no absolute guarantees that RWW might be broken with some security patch or service pack and it's no longer supported.

If I were in charge of the Universe.. I'd steal RWW...customize it a smidge more...and stick it in Centro.

...now... to go get myself in charge of the Universe... that's the problem...

So... there we go... one 'story of someone who survived the "Black hole of the transition pack" and we've now posted his story.

P.S.  For you folks that have commented with issues....can you email me at sbradcpa -at- pacbell.net as I'd love to check with you guys on some points you've raised. When you don't leave an email address, I can't email back directly.

Okay so you have your Action pack SP1 media..but...

You get to the part where it asks for Outlook and you don't have it?  Go grab the previous Outlook from the first non SP1 version of SBS.  Even though it's dated November of 2003 it is the same media as before and there is no difference.  The SBS sp1 part will layer on the SP1 part of the install.

Also if you have Open License media you should get the Outlook in the media kit.

Yes it really does need activation

...so I'm calling product activation because I'm doing a migration from an old wheezy computer to my new HP here at home and I love it when I have to explain with first the Product Activation people and then with the Licesning number ( 888-352-7140 ) people that yes, SBS requires activation, and no I'm not calling about Windows XP.

...there are times that embracing the "spots" ... i.e. the differences of SBS are very rewarding ...as in the remote web workplace that we have that one one else has.... and then there are times when you have to point out to Microsoft employees themselves, that no, we're SBS... we're different...every version of SBS needs activation...yes, even if it's Action pack or MSDN or Volume license.... that the spots get just a smidge frustrating.

Whomever you are Mark, you passed the test

So I was mean today.  You see I called 1-800-426-9400 and punched the numbers to ask for a licensing specialists for small businesses [less than 50 desktops] and I asked "Mark" some questions.  You see ...it was a test... I knew what the answers were... I just wanted to see if the Microsoft Licensing department knew the right answers as well.  Outside of the US, you can call the phone numbers here.

It was a test actually... to see if I could find a resource for 'mere mortals' to find info on MS licensing that was SmallBiz sized.  Now we already have the wonderful information from the Mssmallbiz.com portal but I was looking to see if a customer could find out this info.

So here's what I asked...and what Mark answered:

On SBS what's the first five cals?  Are they user or device?

How can I add SA to the OEM product?

Can OEM software be bought without hardware?  Can I buy it say...with a mouse?

What's the difference between user cals and device cals?  Which one should I choose for the Small Business Server platform?

And Mark, whomever you are, you knew your stuff.  And if somehow this blog post gets back to you.... sorry for being a sneak and putting you on the spot, but I was seeing if I could find a person who had enough SBSized information about licensing.  And Mark did.

Mark said that the first five cals are either user or device cals.  That you decide which way they are.  That all you had to do to add Software Assurance to a product you bought via OEM channel was to add it within the first 90 days after purchase.  He said that to buy OEM software, that you had to buy an entire computer, that it was attached to the system.  That I might see some system builders out there that were selling them with a cord or a mouse because that used to be how some of the wording was, but now days only system builders could sell OEM software to other system builders without a 'system' to go with it.  He said that it would be wise to stay away from such places, that I still might see them on the web.  He then talked about User versus Device cals and how, in my Small Business Server which has Exchange, and thus Outlook Web Access, that I might want to pick User.  In fact he went on to say that most small businesses buy "user cals", because we tend to have flexible users that can access things from many devices, but that there might be a time that I would want "device cals" if say... I had 50 desktops and 100 employees and they all used those 50 devices.

Sometimes, just knowing who to contact and get the right informtion is the key element in success.  I'll give another example of this...a source for buying the licenses once you've figured out what you need that I like is a vendor who specializes in nothing but.  Sometimes I think we end up trying to wear too many hats.  Software Licensing is sometimes [okay a lot] confusing, but I know that I have had a lot less headaches since I've been in the habit of sending off an email to the gang at softwareone.com and just telling them what I want and they come back with the SKU numbers I need.

So how about instead of getting that licensing headache... you instead pick up a phone and make a call.

Say hi to Mark for me, will ya?

Dear Microsoft Licensing People

Dear Microsoft Licensing People...

When giving information to SBSers... make sure you are not giving them “Big Server Land” information.

It's Friday and I'm in the mood for a rant....

In the newsgroup today someone was trying to download a copy of a trial version as overseas they couldn't get the software through customs worth a darn, and so someone told them to buy SBS under Volume licensing and they said “oh yes that if you had Open value that they could get downloadable media..... they said... and I quote from the post...

'I have a confirmation from Microsoft that though it was not possible to download the media through eOpen, it is in fact possible to download licensed media through Open Value at the MVLS site. This is confirmed for US only.'

Well I AM an Open Value customer and I can confirm WITHOUT A SHRED OF DOUBT that it's not available for download.  Folks, this is why the media gets sent to me automagically because we need a product key.

See this download screen?

Do you see the fact that there is NO SBS 2003 on that listing? 

Folks when you talk to Microsoft in any way shape or form, especially when it comes to licensing, can you say to them “can you check and make sure your information that you are giving me pertains as well to SBS?”  And if they say there is no difference, don't believe them, because when it comes to Software Assurance and other small business licensing information, I can assure you that we are unique, we don't get all the benefits and for many folks that you call on Microsoft licensing, they really don't have a clue about the small business licensing.  Hands down the best resource for Smallbiz licensing is Eric Ligman and company on the Mssmallbiz site and the official Microsoft Mssmallbiz yahoogroup.

So ...want to know the real scoop of what I get with software assurance?  Check out this grid.

Okay let's review...since I have 2 servers and less than 50 desktops....

• For the Open Value that I have that doesn't go through the Eopen site but instead through MVLS site, I do get version upgrade rights.  So I'll be getting SBS 2003 Release 2 [WSUS, SQL server 2005 workgroup and Exchange 2003 sp2].
• I do get media for the server sent to me automatically [mainly because I can't download it]
• I will get Windows Vista uprade rights and a copy of Virtual PC Express edition for every Windows software assurance license I have.
• I don't have 50 Office licenses so I won't get training.
• I do get a cdrom called the Information Worker eLearning cdrom 
• I get a Windows eLearning cdrom
• I get a Server eLearning cdrom [it's not SBS specific though]
• Office gets home use rights
• Desktop - for every $200,000 of SA for Office and Windows I get one phone incident [translation... I get barely get one phone call at that conversion rate]
• Server for every $20,000 of SA I get one phone incident for servers.
• I get “cold server rights“.
• I get one user ID for Technet Managed newsgroups [I think I have enough newsgroup access :-) so I might pass on that one]

Someone said that Microsoft themselves internally should not necessarily pay for licenses but be required to track their compliance. 

Bottom line folks...whomever told that SBSer that we can 'download' a copy of SBS... is ...well... flat out wrong.

Buying a license

I have a box of Windows XP in my office.  It's a retail blue box.  And if [heaven forbid] the office burns down, I've lost that license.  I have to rebuy it.

The other day for our Business Insurance renewal I was asked to write down all the software licenses that I could not replace, that we'd have to rebuy all over again, and we were surprised that there's a lot of software that I have that I don't have to worry about scrambling to rebuy.

My office is by the airport and lets just pretend that the biggest jet airliner that goes out of the Fresno Airport [which is the UPS plane by the way] dropped on my office.

What software could I easily replace?

• My server software including the media.  I log into the Eopen web site with my Microsoft passport and I look up the contract number and immediately replace it.
• My Windows XP licenses - that also gives me the right to the next version - better known as Vista that includes additional features.
• My Office software including the media.  Again, I log into the Eopen web site. 

Next to my desk is a test Dell OEM server.  There's a server license on that box.  If the box dies, the server license dies with it.  It's not transferable.  But add software assurance within 90 days and I can move that software anywhere I want to.

If you are buying OEM or retail software boxes for your clients.

Stop.

OEM may be cheaper in the short term, but it's not cheaper in the long run.  Retail boxes means that you or your clients have to track those licenses and worst still, you lose those licenses if a disaster occurs.

Your small business clients need to ensure you have built in the flexibility they need, business continuity plans built in from the get go.

Check this site out:

http://www.noretailbox.com/

Dear CAL people

To whom it may concern in the SKU and CAL department.  Yes, I know that we've asked before for less SKUs.  We've asked before for easier licensing, for Dell computers to be forced to stop saying XP Home operating systems are 'suitable for small businesses'.

There's one more thing I'd like.

I'd like another SKU.

Yes you heard me.  I want to have one more SKU for a SBS add on.

I want a Terminal Server bundle for SBS.  I want one SKU number to give to a small business owner or partner that would represent a Windows Server OS and 5 TS cals [and then add on more in increments of course].

Have you ever tried to explain to a normal human being that all they need is one Windows Server license, that the Server cals they say you don't need because you are a SBS server owner has nothing to do with the TS cals?

Even after reading this whitepaper, the normal human being still goes “huh“?

I talked to a normal human being today and it was obvious that he was confused by this document and just wanted a product SKU number that he could go to his vendor and say “I want that“.

So Microsoft CAL people?  Can I have one more SKU?  Please?

One SKU, one Single SKU

Sign up here for the web cast

Virtually SBS

No, I'm not talking about running SBS on Virtual server [which on a side note when Exchange 2003 sp2 hits the streets, the Standard SBS will be fully supported on Virtual Server], I'm talking about a hosted SBS.  Vlad and I were swapping emails with a vendor who was offering 'hosted' SBS solutions and Vlad pointed out that this was already being done and he had some articles about it.

• An overview
• The tech details

Interesting, huh?!

Mr. Minasi we can do that too!

Met up with Mark “oh SBS is evil because it can't have a secondary domain controller” Minasi at the MVP summit and it reminded me that we recently got a clarfication on how we CAN have a secondary domain controller and all you need to have to cover the licenses of that secondary DC is plain ol' SBS cals.  You don't need Windows server cals.  The SBS license specifically allows us to have our member servers and even our additional domain controllers covered by a SBS cal.  So all you need to have in order to set up and be legal for an additional DC is the server CAL that came with the Server OS [and yes if you buy Open License version of Windows 2003 server you can buy it with one and only one CAL] and then your SBS CALs.

So to review....

• SBS CAN have a secondary/additional DC
• The CALs for it are merely ONE Windows server OS CAL [you know the one you get with the OS itself]
• and then it's covered by the SBS CALs.

The Enterprise IT pro white paper even talks about this.  “You can add a computer running Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003 as a replica domain controller to a local or remote office for redundancy in the event that the server running Windows SBS is unavailable. Replication with the server running Windows SBS keeps Active Directory up-to-date on the additional domain controller even in the remote-office scenario, provided there is a link between the offices. Users can then log on to the network normally until the server running Windows SBS is brought back online.”  Personally I've found that what's more important is the DHCP than the Domain controller per se...as workstations that can't find a domain will merely log in via cached credentials. 

Bottom line.. buy good hardware and normally is a non issue in a small office.

Dear IT Pro Community:

HOW TO FACE OFF AGAINST MICROSOFT

Intuit has repelled the Redmond six times. Now it's defending its

largest business -- small-business accounting software

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=583044&c=0a3482e76a3aa5ed&l=2

INTUIT'S BENNETT: READY FOR MR. GATES

Facing another onslaught from Redmond, the finance-software maker's

CEO says, "I love our position." Score so far: Intuit 6, Microsoft 0

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=583044&c=0a3482e76a3aa5ed&l=3

-----------------------

I am a CPA in Californa.  On a pretty regular basis I deal with small business customers.  Some that have standalone computers, some with networks.  I have a trusted relationship with all of these small businesses. 

Just like how you install software better when 'you' know it.. just like how you have impact with what I call the 'wow' factor and word of mouth, so do I.  As a result Microsoft has just introduced the Microsoft Accountants Network to introduce my world to Microsoft's Small Business accounting 2006.  As part of this network my community is now eligible for free CPE and the Action pack [for $299 a year]. 

Now before you start yelling "Hey Microsoft, you are now allowing CPAs to use Action pack? You are taking software sales away from us",  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you make your income from software sales.. you make it on the labor and installation of the network. 

Microsoft is offering to my world because they realize too how much I influence software purchases when I am plugged in.

Now in these same beancounter communities are the "just good enough' folks.  The same people that when they raised their hands in a presentation on Wednesday and said if you ARE running Windows 98, you are sending a message to all of your clients that you don't CARE about the security of their data.  These are exactly the cheap, 'it's good enough people' that you can now go to and say, "here's a way to get software, to get secure, to get free CPE and all you have to do is sign up and check out this software bundle"

Also for this plan it gives them "business critical down" that includes things like printers failing on April 14.  To a beancounter ..that IS a critical down issue.

This week I was in Illinois and Cindy Bates of Microsoft indicated that the firm that "gets IT" has higher growth that one that doesn't.  Here's your chance as a consultant to go to that CPA in your area and show them the MPAN program and say ...it's time you killed off that Windows 98 machine.  It's not good enough ANY MORE.  Show them THIS link and tell them this is one time “too good to be true“ isn't.   

Now then my IT community out here... all you IT consultants... you talk to that CPA and tell them about how they can share calendars.  How with Audiovox Windows Mobile phones, the partners can check their calendars from anywhere.  That having their client data on a system hooked up to the Internet IS safe, and in fact with high speed access I would argue allows you to be more secure and up to date.

I told a room of 100 or so Accountants that if they thought the SBS 2003 product I talked about and used at my firm and actually demo'd was cool, that they needed to go and find an SBSer.  To go to YOU and ask you how many SBS installs you had done.  Be honest.  Don't say you have and you've never even seen the product before.   

Just remember if you don't treat my CPA community right, I just might hear about it.

How to find an SBSer

Norm in the comments in the blog lists the 'official' link and rightly indicates... ..and it will rank those that have the "Small Business Specialist" first so you can more easily find and partner with them.

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/partner/vendorsearch.mspx

Sometimes you can just smell the Coconut can't you?

I cut open candies in the candy box because I want to know what I'm getting, don't you?  You want to make sure you are getting the Chocolate you want, right?.  I don't like Chocolates with coconut inside... there's just something about that texture that just .... ugh...

If you've ever gone to the doorway of Fry's Electronics... breathed in the computer smell and then walked into the department that looks like computer guts are spilled all over the place and folks are waxing poetically about Intel this and AMD that... you'll know the Motherboard section of the computer store.  Yet many of us may not realize out important that Motherboard is to the license of our operating system.... Mr. Licensing on the Mssmallbiz site [who will be at SMBnation in September], Eric Ligman posted a couple of gems about Motherboards and OEM software licensing.....

"Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your customer's computer and the end user customer may maintain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer" to which Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC."

“For reference, the above answer comes directly from the Microsoft System Builder Frequently Asked Questions Page: http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?PageID=553075.  It is the 4th question listed below the Refurbished/Used PCs section.“

When it comes to buying OEM software, it might be wise to review those folks that are authorize OEM sellers  http://www.microsoft.com/oem/authdist/default.mspx.  Like Eric said, if you buy OEM software outside that channel, the buyer beware sign should be flashing very brightly. 

Now Forest Gump may say “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get”, but I think it would be a pretty safe bet that if you see something that just is too good to be true price wise....it's definitely too good to be true.  Like I said....I'm not a fan of Chocolates with Coconut in the middle.  Sometimes when you see offers for OEM software with a mere mouse or stick of memory ...you can just smell the Coconut without cutting open the candy, can't you?

Can 40 to 50 users be connected to a SBS 2003 server?

From the mailbag tonight comes this question....

Hi!!! I want to know if it's recommended for 40-50 users connected to a SBS2003 Std. Server for file, print, mail and fax.  And what specs for a server with 40-50 users connected are recommended.

You DO know about the SBS Dogfood server don't you?

What?

You don't?  You see it's the Poor little SBS box that probably has the WORST job in the entire universe... putting up with a bunch of it's owners...and when I say owners... I'm not talking about any owners.. I”m talking about the people that WROTE the stuff in the first place.

That's right..one poor little SBS box supports about 70 users.

And what's the specs on this box?

Dual Proc - 2.8 ghz

1 gig of RAM

SCSI disks

Now in my network... I'd call that underpowered... I have 4 gigs but I'll be honest with you ...my server falls asleep most of the day waiting for things to do.

So can 50 people hang off a SBS server?  Oh you bet...but here's the thing... back in our MVP ranks we've been swapping stories about

• 3 servers with 4 users
• 1 server with 1 user
• 5 servers  with 25 users
• 2 servers with 20 users
• 2 servers with 45 users

Get the idea there isn't just one answer...that it depends on the needs of the firm?  But in all of those 'specs' ... SBS 2003 is the base of the firm.

What you need to check with the firm is WHAT ELSE are they needing to do.  My guess is that firm is unlike the SBS dev team and they need some line of business app server or a terminal server to hang off the side.

So Danny... the answer is.

YES.  But honestly for more advice?  Come out to the Small biz community will ya and ask a bunch of us?

A little bad advice

Like my prior post, sometimes there's an instance where someone gets bad advice.  And right now I'm seeing one issue with getting bad advice in the past.  Remember class, my history.... I was once told that SBS was too limiting for me....that I would outgrow it...that it wasn't for me.

Look around folks...now tell me that SBS is limiting?  Let's see...oh yes... Remote web workplace where a co-worker is logging into from overseas...oh yeah..that's limiting... or Cell phones that sync up with the mail server... ah yes... see how limited I am?

So when that firm has indeed listened to a partner.. a Microsoft Partner in fact... I'm sorry...but I don't think it's right that they should now suffer and not be able to get any kind of version upgrade rights into SBSland from 'normal' server.  Alas the migration from Windows 2000 [plain] to SBSland is not seen as an upgrade/version upgrade or anything that qualifies the customer who got bad advice to a slightly better deal. 

Now... you know me.. I certainly call a conversion from plain Windows 2000 to SBS..ANYTHING above a 2000 version an upgrade.  I mean ... we have so much more to offer than plain server it's not funny.

Call me silly, but I think it's even more silly that the customer who thought they were getting a good recommendation...didn't.  Especially now.. some would argue that there were major drawbacks on the SBS 4.0/4.5 platform, less drawbacks on the SBS 2000 platform... for a firm in the 'sweet' spot, it's just a shame that they have to now pay for the bad advice they got.  Even in the SBS 2000 era... SBS was seen as a bit of a 'runt' box and cut down... 'oh you have a limited version of SQL don't you?' ...uh...no you are thinking of SBS 4.5... so it took a long time for Microsoft partners [remember MY story about how I had to insist on SBS?] to deploy SBS 2000 and you pretty much had to get someone wacko enough to beleive in the platform.

So I would argue that it's now a bit hard to say ...gee you should have gotten a better Partner recommendation...when it was 'buyer beware' and the customer had to insist on SBS in many cases.

Other examples of bad advice... don't buy Full retail/packaged product of SBS 2003...buy it via open license.  It gets you into the Open license model where EULAs and CAL codes and what not are kept track of for you.  As a customer of SBS, make sure your consultant talks about the options you have in licensing... if all he or she does is bash Microsoft... go get a new Microsoft partner...a Small Business Specialist in fact [just got the welcome box today as a matter of fact]

Oh...and one more bit of advice?  If you ARE selling/installing SBS and you aren't a Microsoft partner...arent' considering going for the Small Business Specialist designation...if you are not a hard core SBSer and planning your trip to Seattle and SMBnation, the SBS lovefest? 

Why not?

How many employees can a SBS server handle?

And no the answer I'm not looking for is 75 users or 75 devices which could mean hundreds of potential users....how many Accountants can use a network built around a SBS server as a foundation?

Well according to engineers at Dell, not 35 beancounters.  It drives me crazy when Dell or any dealer blows past the 'sweet spot' of SBS... the range of about 20 to 40 users and tells folks that SBS cannot handle multi server environments.

Let's review what is the killer apps of SBS and why... if you are in that 'sweet spot' of head count... you really and truly need to question your sanity as to why you are passing this up.

• Monitoring email - the daily in your face to the admin email that keeps me aware of what's going on in your network.  Don't get it anywhere else but SBS.
• Remote Web Workplace - just enough connectivity but not enough connectivity.  Get those boxes on XP inside the office [which I would argue you SHOULD anyway - and dude... the benefits of remote access are just too good to pass up
• The wizards... someone the other day was asking about changing the IP and I said we had a wizard for that among other things... at the end of the conversation... he was joking..what DON'T you have a wizard for?  The point is they make our lives easier...don't fight them ...they are the 'tao' of SBSland.

Now then... let's review what we can add to a SBS server to make it fully workable ..and I would argue the one to choose in a firm that is in that sweet spot ...but still need the multi-server setup.

• Can we add member servers?  Yes.
• Can we add servers to be a Terminal server? Yes.
• Can we add servers to be a dedicated LOB SQL server?  Yes.
• Do we need server CALs for these?  Nope.  Covered by the SBS server EULA.

Right now the biggest drawback to SBS 2003 is honestly the size of our Exchange...16 measly gigs of space...BUT the fabulistic news is that in Exchange 2003 sp2 [due out later this year] this goes up to 75 gigs.

As a general rule of thumb... I would argue about 1-25 people need one server ...yes you read that right ... I said one person....as someone installed a SBS 2003 server for just one person as he wanted OMA/Smart phone sync ability [which ... I must admit...is really cool].  25 to 40 you probably want a second server...or... your line of business application forces you to a second server.  Regardless... I am proof positive that making the SBS as your 'base' and adding servers makes sense.

P.S... need to migrate 'into' SBS? We can do that one too.

Looking for SKU codes?

The SKU codes for the Volume license media for SBS 2003 sp1 are:

SBS 2003 sp1 [slipstream media] T75-00605

Just the service pack is T75-00623

These can be ordered through the MS volume license fulfillment at 1-800-248-0655 [US/Canada - worldwide call your local fulfillment unless you are in Australia where I think they want you to go through a reseller] or through a reseller/distributor.

When you call MS volume licesning, have your agreement and authorization numbers handy off the eopen web site.  For those folks like me on the three year software assurance [where we get the software updates automagically] we can't go through MS volume license fulfillment, we have to go through our reseller/distributor.  Only the two year SA folks can go through the MS volume license fulfillment. [don't worry... whatever headache you are starting to get... Eric Ligman and the gang can sort you out on the Mssmallbiz community]

OEM folks.. well.. fortunately if you buy a Dell server now, you are getting SP1'd OEM media.

How do you buy CALs?

Rob from the mailbox asks “How does one buy CALs?”  Where do you buy them?  Do they come on paper?  In an email?  How long does the process take?”

If you buy your CALs from an OEM, there are boxes on the web site to specify that you need SBS CALs right on the web site.  If you need to buy licenses after the fact you can go through many places like licenseonline.com or softwareone.com.  Once you purchase the license, a piece of paper will be sent to you that has the product key code that you then enter into the SBS box normally in a week or so [so plan accordingly]

If ...however.. you have Open License based software because you purchased the base of SBS via open license you will get a electronic agreement that gets entered into the eopen.microsoft.com web site.  Your CAL codes will be up there.

Even better yet, if you opt for Software Assurance [and go for the three year plan] not only will your CAL codes be up there, but you'll get all your SBS media sent to you automagically.  [Like I have slipstreamed SBS media that has SP1, whereas OEM can't get this]

So for your clients.... sit them down...talk to them about how an OEM purchase may NOT be the way to go.  Check out the Open license sales opportunities on www.mssmallbiz.com resource page and then go through an outsourced licensing specialist.

OEM may not be the bargain you think it is.  Like Office 2003 on Software Assurance for example gives me Home User Rights and allows me to be a lot more flexible.  I normally use a mixture of Office on OEM and SA to fit my needs.  For the server though, it's 100% open license with software assurance. 

Licensing 101

There's a lot of misconceptions that are out about licensing, and one of them that tends to get confused a lot is how to set up Sharepoint for use with clients.

Right now, on our SBS boxes, if we want to ensure that the portal is private, secure, password protected and all that, the person/persons/companies coming in to your SBS site, must have a CAL license.  The recommended way at this time to have a client facing site is to have something externally hosted on a Sharepoint that is licenses for External connectors.

Ever checked out www.mssmallbiz.com?  It's on a site like that....

http://www.mssmallbiz.com/questions/OurTech.aspx

Hosted Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services - *Want to have an externally-facing Windows SharePoint Services Site that is opened to either a large number or unlimited users and don't have the hardware of your own to do so?  Take a look at the many different Hosted Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services available to you.  Be up an running today with your very own externally-facing Windows SharePoint Services site using either Microsoft's Hosted Windows SharePoint Services or utilize the services of one of our SharePoint Partners Hosted Offerings, such as SharePoint Experts.

The best advice I can give is to check out the Licensing resources at Mssmallbiz.com and call a licensing expert.  It's okay to not know the answer.  It's not okay to not use your resources for figuring out the answer.

Entourage anyone?

Now that SBS 2003 sp1 is out, you can also get the Mac Outlook client called Entourage by calling 1-800-360-7561 in the US/Canada [5 a.m. to 7 p.m. pst] and ask for part number Q56-00005.  I just checked with that number and that's all you need to get a copy of Entourage for your SBS 2003 clients.  As a [three year] SA customer I got the media for this AGES ago [see why SA is a good thing] and thus haven't needed to worry about tracking this down.  For those overseas, I'd track down your supplemental part phone number and again, use that SKU number.

Have you checked out all the great stuff at www.mssmallbiz.com?

Today we had a question about OEM software and adding Software assurance to it and the [as always] tireless Eric Ligman already had the answer for us right on the Shared documents page [which btw is a Sharepoint you know] and had the answer.

For the record one of the MAJOR advantages of adding software assurance to an OEM purchase of Server OS or Office is that you can move it.  Don't buy SA and that license is tied to that hardware.

See why I like Software Assurance?  Remember too because I'm on the three year SA plan all the SBS 2003 sp1 cdroms will automagically be sent to me.  Cool, huh?

Baselines and small businesses

Tim makes the point in the comment section that my issue with patching was totally caused by the fact that I didn't know what I had on that system.  I totally agree.

But I don't agree with his assessment that 'any sized business should flatten and install a baseline'. 

For one, down here, we may not even get true reinstall media with these suckers.  We don't buy volume licenses down here to install an image from.  Remember you cannot buy a desktop computer without an operating system, either retail or OEM so we tend to not buy the volume license media to allow us to install a baseline. 

In fact, let's ask the troups out here.... I truly do not get the impression that in SBSland that we flatten and reimage as much as we should.  There wouldn't obviously be those web pages with discussions of issues with Windows Update if people were not hitting this stuff.

The owner bought a system, my guess is you will have a hard time convincing them to flatten and start over.  Many firms get the Partner/consultant to “build” a box for them to get around this issue.

Small firms just don't see the value in Software Assurance and Volume licensing unfortunately, much to their detriment.  They buy a system from the OEM manufacturer and assume that the consultant will work with that image and not flatten and start over.  “I just bought this...what are you doing starting over?”

While it certainly may be a wise thing to do, with the current OEM software model, I just don't get the feeling that the consultants for the small business crowd are doing this 'best practice”.

You tell me.  Am I wrong?  I'll ask around and see.

Entourage - do we get it? - part deux

  The quick and dirty answer to yesterday's post about whether SBSers get Entourage 2004 for Mac's is YES!  Us SBSers are legal for this and do get the right to have Entourage 2004.

The slightly longer answer is that for now the Sofware Assurance Volume License channel has it [as I can confirm] and that “channel” is working [ummm... I hate to point this out as another reason to get Software Assurance in my book is that they know we yell louder and this typically ensure that this distribution channel gets priority.... but I'm sure that's not exactly an answer everyone loves to hear...but ....ummm.... it is kinda how it's working at the present time....or maybe they know that one annoying SBSer is a SA customer and they want to keep me happy?  ;-) ].

OEM and Retail channel just hang tight for just a smidge longer [or ... ummm......and you didn't read this here.... if you have a client [like me] on Software Assurance/Volume Licensing who doesn't have any Mac's around and thus it's still shrinkwrapped ....steal their copy of Entourage 2004 for the time being].  There will be final information on the site on how to get copies of Entourage 2004.

Bottom line we ARE INDEED licensed for it....we just have to wait just a smidge for the OEM and Retail channel fulfillment to get in place.

P.S.  Does everyone know that if they log onto the MSSmallbiz website they can download FOR FREE the Licensing chapter from Harry B's Advanced book [nice sneak peak at the book]

Licenses ...anyone seen my licenses?

You know about TechSoup don't you?

For those of you in not-for-profits, for those of you that consult for NFP, you know about TechSoup don't you?  I'm own vegging and surfing [Super Bowl isn't my thing] and I found a blog of an author who writes for Tech Soup.

Tech Soup and Tech Stock are two great resources for software and information for not for profit entities. I'd also recommend checking out Softwareone.com as a great resource for NFRs.

The SBS "Fresno" Version

How to determine the channel that your copy of Windows Server 2003 was obtained through:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=889713

Hmmm that's an interesting KB.. doesn't list SBS nor the Fresno version, but interesting nonetheless.

What?  Haven't heard of the Fresno version?  Count yourself lucky.  We call it the Server For REally Small NetwOrks.  Get it?  It's this stripped down version that is our core operating system that if you buy it you either .....

• Screwed up and got the wrong SKU
• Your vendor screwed up and got the wrong SKU
• You thought you'd be cheap and buy it as a member server operating system [wrong! can't do trusts]

We've seen it around the newsgroups, but it's like such a rarity, and mostly when someone has it ...the bought the wrong product.

The Right SKUs are listed on the page here.

• Remember.. if you are a SBS 2000 software assurance customer you GET SBS 2003 premium with ISA and SQL automagically.
• Remember.. if you are an existing SBS 4.0/4.5 OR 2000 customer you are eligible for the version upgrade and you get the premium edition [ISA and SQL]
• Remember.. got any other licesning questions the best places are the Official Microsoft Small Business Channel web site, listserve and blog.

Q.	What is Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server?
A.	Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server is designed for partners who want to deliver a server solution based on Windows Server 2003 as part of their product offering. It provides the same version of Windows Server 2003 that is used by Windows Small Business Server 2003, but it has none of the added features included in the standard edition or premium edition of Windows Small Business Server 2003. Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server has the following restrictions: • Only one computer in a domain can be running Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server. • Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server must be the root of the Active Directory forest. • Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server cannot trust any other domains. • A Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server domain cannot have any child domains. • Each additional server must have a Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server client access license (CAL). You can use CALs for each user or for each device.   P.S.  Fresno is my hometown so I get the right to joke about the SBS Fresno version  ;-)

The "blonde" versus the Terminal Server

Well I feel quite silly and foolish.  I totally did not understand the significance of the choices that I made when installing my member server and when it came to licensing the Terminal Server part of the member server I forgot a two letter word.

You see the guidance for setting up the member server in a SBS network is as follows:

  *   When you install a new Windows Server 2003-based computer on an
      SBS 2000 or a Windows Small Business Server 2003 network, select
      the *Per Device or Per User* licensing mode. To do so, click *Per
      Device or Per User* on the *Licensing Modes* screen in the Windows
      Server 2003 Setup program.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;327644

Okay notice the word OR in there?  Device OR User?

Okay now when we get to the point that we need to license the Terminal server part of this box, totally stop thinking about what you just did.  You are all set with the underlying licenses of the server base.  Now we make the decision as to how to license the TS box.  Now this is where I screwed up.  I didn't read the .. um.... well I didn't read the OR in the Device OR User.  So I didn't realize that when I installed my member server that the default mode for the TS “license type” was device.  I bought user TS cals [actually they were grandfathered XP cals because I owned these XP licenses prior to the Windows 2003 server launch].  So when I installed the “per user” I didn't realize that my server was still in TS “per device CAL” mode. 

I realized today that my TS clients were being issued temporary device cals instead of user cals and I “thought“ that because I was “forced“ to chose a licensing of the member server of the SBS box that I was “forced“ to choose the Device cals.  But I totally blew past the “OR“ in that base licensing of the box.  I have another choice.

So what I “should” have done was flip the TS to per user, instead I stupidly and blondley called into the TS licensing, renamed the TS licensing folder, reset up the TS licensing and reactivated the licenses as “device cals”.  So then I'm chatting with the guys and realizing that I was thinking that the type of license that I placed the server in “fixed” me in a TS per device license.  It doesn't.  They are two totally separate things.  Man was I “totally“ blonde on this.  I should NOT have re-installed the CALs as per device, instead I should have flipped the CALs to per user.

Remember if you don't match up your CALs to the way your Server wants the CALS you'll accidentally have the server install temp licenses.

So now I”m going to reset my licenses and put them BACK to user and flip my server to “USER” TS license mode.  I'm probably going to keep my connection method for the clearinghouse to phone as it talks about here.

In SBSland we would probably WANT per user to be very mobile-enabled and not tied to device but rather free to assign to your mobile USERs.  To change the DEFAULT of the CAL style from Per Device to Per User, Make sure you change the licensing mode.to per USER.  Got it?

1.	On the Terminal Server computer, click Start, Programs, Administrative Tools, Terminal Services Configuration.
2.	Click Server Settings in the left pane.
3.	Double-click Licensing in the right pane.
4.	For Licensing Mode, select the mode for this Terminal Server.  [We want USER]

Dean added these comments:

You need to make sure you change the TS licencing mode (in TS
configuration) from DEVICE to USER, then delete the registry key from
the device whos licence is expiring. When it reconnects it will be
issued a USER CAL (not quite the correct wording but I'm sure you
follow). Reg key, if you need to know, is under
HKLM/Software/Microsoft/MSLicensing/Store - delete the "LICENCExyz" keys
where "xyz" is a number from 000 to 999.

P.S.  Dean posted in this newsletter from THE TS expert MVP Christa Anderson.  Quite timely in fact.

When adding a member server

Just a reminder that you want to choose

• When you install a new Windows 2000 Server-based computer on an SBS 2000 or a Windows Small Business Server 2003 network, select the Per Seat licensing mode. To do this, click Per seat on the Licensing Modes screen in the Windows 2000 Server Setup program.
• When you install a new Windows Server 2003-based computer on an SBS 2000 or a Windows Small Business Server 2003 network, select the Per Device or Per User licensing mode. To do so, click Per Device or Per User on the Licensing Modes screen in the Windows Server 2003 Setup program.
• http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;327644

If you don't do this you'll get Event error codes 202 in your SBS 2000/2003 server indicating you are out of licenses... and you are not.  It's just the member server freaking out.

Remember that it's not necessary to buy umpteen Server CALS for your member server, the SBS CALS will cover that member server licenses. 

I went to the console, and to the “server computer” section and added a server and then on the member server, typed in http://insertedmydomain/connectcomputer to attach the member server to my domain.

• I'm not choosing Disk Quotas [if I run out of space I'll just buy bigger harddrives :-)
• Not choosing indexing service for now
• It pops up a Share a folder Wizard

Oh I also am Mirroring the C Drive, I went into Computer management and flipped the C: to dynamic, blew off the D: drive that was built, and then went back to the C: and right mouse clicked to “Mirror“ it.  The D: drive is a hardware RAID 5 already, so no need to mirror that.

It automagically rebooted, added the Trend Micro antivirus, and now [per Chad] I'm going to the Manage your server, to add a server role.  Since this server will ... in reality be... for the Live Communications Server so we can have internal IM to ask each other what we want for lunch... I don't quite find a “Lunch order server” role on the options,   Seriously I'm going to choose File server for the time being as it will hold additional storage. 

I also right mouse clicked on my data drive and went to the “Shadow copy” tab and enabled Shadow copies on this.  Remember that the Shadow “pull” runs at 7:00 a.m. and at noon.  So if your server runs a little sluggish at lunchtime, it's just pulling the Shadows.

P.S.  If you are like me and there's a time of the year you work 6/7 days a week you may want to have the Shadow copies run on the weekend.

Newbie Question number one - how do I buy licenses for SBS?

A question that comes up in the newsgroup is how do you buy licenses for the Small Business Server 2003?

Well first off, understand that the Server package itself, either 4 cdroms if SBS 2003 Standard or six cdroms if Premium [includes the ISA/SQL disk and Front page] includes 5 client licenses already in the system.  Then you need to add additional licenses either user or device CALs as they are called.  User licenses are for firms like mine where I have less users than I have computers because I have a laptop, a Pocket PC AND a desktop.  Device licenses are for firms that are shift work based that have less devices/computers than users. 

The original  base 5 are either depending user or devices [don't ask.. just consider them one or the other it doesn't matter even though when I bought Software assurance I had to specify what the base was...long story... way too complicated to get into here].  Then I bought CALs which license me for EVERYTHING on the box, Outlook, Exchange, the server, ISA and SQL.

Front page you are only allowed to install on one location. 

So just remember, don't worry about Server CALs, Exchange CALs, etc, just get SBS CALs and you can't go wrong.

You might get a bit frustrated buying software assurance but that's another post for another day.....

Are we? Or Aren't we? I think we are!

Javier pointed out that we apparently are now “legal” for getting Entourage with our SBS 2003.

 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/howtobuy/pricing.mspx

"Microsoft Entourage 2004 for Mac is not shipped with Windows Small Business
Server, however, you can obtain a copy at no cost (handling and shipping
charges will apply). Volume license program members (for example, the Open
NL license) can order by calling (800) 248-0655. Retail customers can order
by calling (800) 360-7561."

Eriq has the full details about Entourage on his web site

Microsoft licensing revisited.....

Today in Joe Wicox's Microsoft Monitor he talks about a SBSer who's not a SBSer.  Kinda sad because he could have had all the tools he wanted to at his fingertips and now he's stuck driving the wrong car.  Reminds me of those car commercials that advertise you have 30 days you switch out a card from the one you drove off the showroom floor with.  Too bad something like that can't be included in licensing.  There are many a time that people who don't know about SBS find out about it too late.  I did ping Mr. Wilcox to tell his friend about TechSoup.org to see if his friend could qualify for charity pricing.

I must say that I still think licensing is too complicated.  User CALs, Device CALs when all we SBSers need is just plain SBS CALS.  Just seems like it could be a lot easier than it is.  I nearly ended up with Device CALS when I wanted User CALS because Softchoice quoted me Device CALS on my first quote.  Fortunately I caught the error in time before the quote became an “official order“.

I just “reupped” for SA but am confused as to where my online license and product key numbers will be.  I've gotten emails from eAgreement web site and have digitally signed the agreement online through there, but not sure of what's next?  And the agreement I “electronically signed” was a 25 page document.  I felt like I needed an attorney before I signed it.  ;-)  And I now have a Jim Park as my Licensing sales rep...don't quite know who that is or how to get a hold of him... but hey  :-)

From the "I did not know this was there department" of Small Business Server

 http://www.ms-gearup.com  Check out this web site!

Was emailing with Eric Ligman from the Midwest SMB division of Microsoft [who puts up with my licensing and software assurance rants] and he mentioned this web site for small to medium businesses [yeah yeah it's only USA based] but I didn't even know it was there for us USA folks.

SBS2k3 sales campaign for USA partners

Web site for marketing, selling, supporting SBS2k3 for partners

FAQ on SBS2k3 licensing

The second page of this document includes T-SKU codes for Small Business Server 2003

http://members.microsoft.com/partner/products/windows/smallbusinessserver2003/WSBS03_Sales_Ref_Card.pdf