Small Business Server 2003 - Can I add 3rd Party Apps (Say a diff Database App)?

[Alzhy]

I am helping out a small bizness. 5 to 10 Desktop PCs. Plus 4 to 5 Laptops.

I am recommending a Single CPU x Quad Core 4GB Server with RAID (SATA Drives). For the Server OS - at first I thought Linux (+WebMin....) and MySQL (Or a Commercial 3rd Party DB). Their apps is a simple client and server thingy.. the database needs to be resident on a "Server" - which could really be an XP Pro or even a Vistga Buisness/Ultimate PC. But I am receommending a true server -- with redundant PS (24x7) Operations + the Collaboration, EMail and other pluses AND ease of management of SBS 2003.

My question is can I install on other apps to a SBS 2003 Server? I'd say 5-15 users will really be light load on the server's file/print and email functions.

[Igor Karasik · Accepted solution]

You can install applications on SBS server without problems.

[Jon Finley]

Shouldn't be an issue on that box for the number of users you've stated.

SBS has been optimised to all run together with minimal impact on the other components.

It would depent on the Apps of course (CAD/CAM could be an issue), but running an additional DB App should still be minimal.

Jon

[Alzhy]

Thanks...

Any concern though if I ran the Internet Facing Website out of the same SBS as well as Email too?

I'll have a FireWall Anyway - opening up just the necessary ports to allow web and SMTP/Email traffic. Plus I'll have AntiVirus and Anti-Spam on the SBS Server...

I know SBS 2008 is out and is available in a 64bit flavour and presumalbly faster and more secure.... but it's almost double the cost.

[Igor Karasik]

You can put Internet website on SBS server, and Email (I assume you mean OWA ?) as well.
You only need to publish website and OWA in your firewall.