Windows Small Business Server 2008 RC0 Available

Both the Standard and the Premium editions of Windows Small Business Server 2008 are available for download as public previews. Small businesses interested in test driving an integrated server solution designed to not only safeguard critical data but also to enhance efficiency and productivity, can download the two SKUs of Windows Small Business Server 2008 Release Candidate 0, made available by Microsoft.

"After extensive development and private evaluation, I'm pleased to announce that a public preview of Windows Small Business Server 2008 RC0 is now available.Windows SBS 2008 is the next major release in the Windows Small Business Server product family, and it offers a wave of new features for technology consultants and small business owners," revealed Dean Paron, Group Program Manager, Windows Small Business Server.

Microsoft has set up Windows SBS 2008 as a suite of products designed to address the various needs of a small business. The Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition, for example, features Windows Server 2008 Standard technologies, Exchange Server 2007 Standard Edition, SharePoint Services 3.0, Windows Server Update Services 3.0, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, Windows Live OneCare for Server and integration with office Live for Small Business. The premium version simply adds Windows Server 2008 Standard technologies for SBS Premium and SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition for Small Businesses.

Windows Small Business Server 2008 RC0 delivers a "new setup and administrative experience; many new management features; a revamp of the Premium Edition to include both SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition technologies and a 2nd copy of Windows Server 2008; a new server backup wizard built on the Windows Server 2008 block-based backup technologies; a redesigned Remote Web Workplace and built-in anti-virus and anti-spam support," Paron added.

- Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard is available for download here. (Product Key: YH2BV-9YMTM-MP7DC-KDCH4-FC9C3)
- Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium can be downloaded here. (Product Key: 1st Server: YH2BV-9YMTM-MP7DC-KDCH4-FC9C3; 2nd Server: 242HC-R6RR6-WM2M8-J4BMK-7VV9R)