We are looking at putting in a server at a small branch office of under 10 people. I was thinking Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Standard on a Dell NX300 but a similar spec'd server (a tower though) the Dell T410 comes in at more than $200 cheaper. This is with the OS. I can't really find any reason to convince me that Windows Storage Server is a better way to go. I am sure there are reasons, RO Domain Controller but it says I need a Windows 2008 DC already on the network, which we don't have, and RO DC isn't a real issue for us as security isn't that much of an issue. I am not sure but I had in my mind that Storage Server would have been a cheaper way to go for branch offices but the pricing just doesn't work. For around $1000 we can get a NAS which works ok with Samba but obviously we don't get the faster logons and DFS that comes with both the mentioned versions of Windows Server. So why would I choose one over the other. The MS site doesn't seem to provide enough arguments to sell it to me. Thanks Nathan Simpson

The Standard Server can provide RODC if you need it, so that's not specific to Storage Server. I agree, Storage Server is probably not right option assuming: 1) All hardware is indeed equal (redundancy, performance, quality) 2) You don't need to use it as an iSCSI target C Shane Cribbs http://www.georgiatechnologies.com

Hi, I would like to suggest you refer to the following two links to compare the Windows Server 2008 R2 Editions and choose the right one. Overview of Editions http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/r2-editions-overview.aspx New and Updated Features in Windows Server 2008 R2 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/r2-compare-features.aspx Regards,Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Hi Arthur, This is the point. There is nothing on these pages that mention Storage Server and how it compares with Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard. Thanks Nathan Simpson

That is because Storage Server is a special case. It is not a standard server version and is not available "over the counter". It is available to OEMs to build a server designed spcifically as a storage server. I can't think of any reason to use storage server for a branch office (unless it was cheaper than R2 standard). It is aimed at the business sector as a dedicated storage server in a domain setup. Bill