Windows Small Business Server and Essential Business Server Documentation : Getting Started

Using the SBS Quick Start Poster

sbsdocsteam — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 03:01:00 GMT

We've entered the planning phase for the next batch of Windows SBS product releases, and we're interested in hearing from those of you who received, unfolded, and presumably used the "Quick Start" poster that came in the box with the SBS discs.

Most importantly, do you find the poster useful? Does it contain information that is helpful to you? Do you use the worksheets in the poster to help collect information about your Internet connection? Where is the poster now? Back in the box? Hanging on the wall? (It does add a big splash of color to a cubicle or drab IT office.)

We want to know what you think! Submit your comment or send us your feedback in e-mail. Either way, we want to hear from you!

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

New Docs Available for SBS 2003 R2!

sbsdocsteam — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 20:20:00 GMT

It's official! SBS 2003 R2 is now available! And to accompany the release of R2, we have posted several new docs to help you learn about, install, and use this enhanced version of SBS 2003. The new docs include:

We are also working on updates to a number of pre-existing documents that will address changes related to the release of SBS 2003 R2.

The new and updated docs can be accessed quickly from the Windows SBS Product Documentation Web site.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

New Documentation: Information Workers Guide to the Windows SBS Computer Network

sbsdocsteam — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 00:42:00 GMT

And now for something completely different!

Written for users on a Windows SBS network, the Information Workers Guide to the Windows SBS Computer Network introduces network users to the features and functionality of their network that help them keep company data secure, improve personal and team productivity, and communicate more effectively with customers and co-workers. Decision makers will also find the guide helpful in evaluating the benefits of running Windows SBS as the server solution for their small business.

The guide is presented using an interactive set of PowerPoint-based modules. Wait! You say that PowerPoint is not installed on your client computers? No problem! The download package includes the standalone Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer, which can be installed on any or all of the computers in your network.

Also included in this self-extracting zip file is a Readme that opens automatically after the files are copied to your server. The Readme contains important information about post-installation steps you must take to make the guide available to network users.

We hope you find the guide useful. If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them to us using the Send Feedback link that can be found in the navigation pane of each module.

Note: This guide can be installed directly on any computer running a Windows
operating system. However, to avoid extra undocumented effort, we recommend
installing the file directly on a computer running SBS.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Documentation Update: How to Install and Configure Small Business Accounting 2006 on Windows SBS 2003

sbsdocsteam — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 22:54:00 GMT

The document, "How to Install and Configure Small Business Accounting 2006 on Windows SBS 2003" has been updated to include:

Instructions for backing up the database using the Windows SBS backup utility
Instructions for creating a rule that allows ADP payroll services access through the firewall
Instructions for rerunning Configure Email and Internet Wizard (CEICW)

IMPORTANT: When you backup the database using the Windows SBS backup utility, you must include two additional files, *.sbd and *.sbl, replacing * with the name of your accounting files. The two files can be found in %systemdrive%:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$MICROSOFTSMLBIZ\Data.

The latest version of this document as well as other helpful information can be downloaded from the Windows SBS Product Documentation Web site.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Documentation Update: Clarification to "Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started with WSUS on Windows SBS"

sbsdocsteam — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 22:00:00 GMT

Several folks in the community have asked for clarification about how the WSUS updates work for Windows SBS. Specifically, is it enough to select the Windows Small Business Server option for the update category? Or do you also need to select the Windows SBS integrated components.

Well. . . actually. . . you need to also select the integrated components.

In response to your feedback, we are currently updating the Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services on Windows Small Business Server 2003 doc to clarify this issue with following text:

To modify the default list of products to update

On the WSUS console toolbar, click Options, and then click Synchronization Options.
Under Products, click Change.
Select Windows Small Business Server. Additionally, to update all components that are integrated with Windows SBS, you must select those specific products. For example, select Exchange Server 2003, SQL Server™, and Office 2003 (to update the Outlook component).

Note: If you add products like SQL Server, Exchange, or Office, you must synchronize the server at least one time.

The change to the document will be live soon.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

New Documentation: Step-by-Step Guide for Configuring and Using Fax on Windows Small Business Server 2003

sbsdocsteam — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 03:20:00 GMT

We're pleased to announce that the "Step-by-Step Guide for Configuring and Using Fax on Windows Small Business Server 2003" paper is now available for download.

This guide helps you configure and use the Fax service on a Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 network. It provides you with step-by-step instructions for configuring the server, configuring the client computers, and sending faxes.

For now, you can use this link to access the document directly. The doc will be added to the SBS Product Documentation Web site shortly.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Documentation Update: Migrating from SBS 2000 or Windows 2000 Server to Windows SBS 2003

sbsdocsteam — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 01:06:00 GMT

Ok. Somehow I missed this one. Better late then never! :-)

The document, "Migrating from Small Business Server 2000 or Windows 2000 Server to Windows Small Business Server 2003" has been updated in response to customer feedback. The latest version of this document as well as other helpful information can be downloaded from the Windows SBS Product Documentation Web site.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Documentation Update: Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services on Windows SBS 2003

sbsdocsteam — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 23:35:00 GMT

The subject documentation has been updated to reflect the information and procedures necessary to prevent the problem discussed in the earlier posting "Workaround: WSUS fails to install on Windows SBS computers." You can download the latest update to this paper here. (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=51211)

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Recent Documentation Updates

sbsdocsteam — Mon, 11 Jul 2005 19:15:00 GMT

We're working on a lot of new content that is designed to make it easier to discover and use the most popular features of Windows SBS. We'll be publishing this information on an ongoing basis. In the meantime be sure to visit the Windows SBS Product Documentation Web site often to see whats new.

Recent updates include:

Whats New for Windows SBS with SP1 - Find the details about what’s new in Windows SBS SP1. Tables at the beginning of the document summarize the updates for the server, for client computers, and for Windows SBS specifically, all organized by the Windows SBS feature area. The document does not describe how the new features work.

Getting Started: Windows Small Business Server 2003 with SP1 - Check out step-by-step instructions for installing or upgrading to Windows Small Business Server 2003 with SP1.

Compilation of Activation and Client Access Licensing Help - Face it, software Licensing can be downright confusing. This document compiles the key Windows SBS Activiation and Licensing information into a single source. You can also find answers to frequently asked questions about Licensing in the Licensing FAQ.

Backing Up and Restoring Windows Small Business Server 2003 - This document has been updated with the latest and greatest information as it pertains to Windows SBS with SP1.

Can't find what your looking for? Let us know!

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Help for Information Workers

sbsdocsteam — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 19:30:00 GMT

We often get questions about and requests for help topics that are written specifically for information workers. Questions like, "How do I fax a document from my computer," "Can I sync my Pocket PC to SBS," "How do I access my work computer from home," etc.

Well, we provide the answers to those questions and many more in the "Information and Answers" section of your internal Web site. The topics can be accessed from a client computer by opening your browser to the http://companyweb home page, and then clicking Information and Answers. If you connect to your SBS 2003 network by way of the Remote Web Workplace, you can access the topics from the main menu by clicking View Remote Web Workplace help. Take a few minutes and check it out!

We're working to provide even more useful help and information for end users and would love to hear more about what you think is currently missing. Any ideas?

-Steve

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.