Scenario : I have a complete set of Windows Server 2003 Edition installation CD given by Dell on purchasing the server. After searching and exploring article, library, tech notes and everything, I'm still not understand some of them. Specifications & Requirements : Operating system will be Windows Server 2003 Edition. Need to create a domain on a server with at least 100 users can connect to the server on the same time. Need to implement a intranet site on the server. Request : Please give me some advise on choosing the right Windows Server 2003 Edition based on my Specifications & Requirements . Read at Wikipedia.org , what is mean by "Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server is limited to 75 users"? Is it only 75 accounts can be created or 75 users can connect on the same time? If available, can anyone give me links to a simple and understandable start guide to set up the server for a complete amateur in server technologies like me. Remarks : I'm a complete amateur in server technologies. So any help or opinion will be really appreciated.Shaffiq Shokri

Hello Shaffiq, 1. Generally Dell server comes with OEM edition of OS CDs. You can check the COA sticker on the DELL server to find out the exact Operating System. 2. Technically, it's a 75 Client Access License (CAL) limit, not a 75 user limit. There is definitely NO limit to the number of accounts which can be in Active Directory. There is no concurrent usage of SBS CALs. So, if you have 75 User CALs, 75 Users can access the SBS Server. If you add a 76th User, you would need to purchase an additional SBS User CAL for that User. 3. If you need to deploy OS on Dell server, you need OpenManage Server Assistant BootCD. As per your specifications and requirements, you need to buy extra CAL for 25 users, after OS deployment you need to install IIS and configure for intranet site. Thanks

I'll assume unlimited budget, and you have more than one server....preferrably 3 servers. From the posting it appears you only have one server....too bad, but still do-able. Install nothing but 2003 Enterrise edition (32 or 64bit version) on any server. If you have to compromise because of the costs select 2003 Standard edition. Only use Small Business edition as a last resort. Personally, i wouldn't mess with 2003, you should install 2008 R2 enterprise. Depending on your server hardware i would look at VMWare ESXi (or MS Hyper-V, ESXi should be free though) to use as the virtualization OS, and then created 3 Virtual Machines on that one physical server. If you buy one copy of 2003/2008 Enterprise edition you can install 4 virutal Servers with that one license. 1 Domain Controller(s) for your domain (2 recommended) 1 IIS Server/Intranet Server

Ffirst of all make it sure what version of windows server edition you have it ? If its bundled with the dell server then please locate a licensed sticker on the dell hardware which will show you the version of windows you have or else please contact the vendor or see the invoice whcih came from the vendor it should mention the windows sever edition. I am telling you to confirm this because its its a Windows Small Business server edition it will be limited to 75 users. for creating a domain controller please have a look herer http://www.petri.co.il/how_to_install_active_directory_on_windows_2003.htmhttp://www.virmansec.com/blogs/skhairuddin

Thanks to all advices and helps. Actually, it is a school server. Currently we have 2 servers. We have reach the time limit of maintenance contract. So we have to do the maintenance ourselves without any knowledge of server technologies. So its learning time. ; )Shaffiq Shokri