Windows SBS

[JackMDS]

A very good deal if you need one or want to wet your feet in one of the most popular Windows Server.

- Microsoft Windows Server 2003
- Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
- Microsoft Shared Fax Service
- Microsoft SQL Server 2000
- Microsoft Internet Security Acceleration Server (ISA Server) 2000
- Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003

Edit: I decided to "Null" the link and look in to the matter. It might be that this offer is problematic.

If it checks out, I would insert it back.

:sun:

 

[loup garou]

Wow, that price seems to be to good to be true...seems a bit shady though since it says it's NFR! :Q

 

[RedCOMET]

Originally posted by: loup garou
Wow, that price seems to be to good to be true...seems a bit shady though since it says it's NFR! :Q

Come on, they do free shipping. Are you saying getting SBS off of Ebay is any better?

 

[JackMDS]

It seems to be a regular vendor. I would Not link to eBay.

NFR (Not For Resale) means that you can Not buy few of them and sell them to some one else.

If you got one only you are allowed to use it.

Why this is inexpensive? I do not know for sure, I can only speculate.

You only get the CD (No documentation), the ISA Server is 2000, the current SBS comes with ISA 2004. SQL is 2000 the coming release of SBS2003 R2 would have SQL 2005.

:sun:

 

[stash]

It should be noted that NFR software cannot be "used for any purpose other than demonstration, test or evaluation," per the EULA.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: STaSh
It should be noted that NFR software cannot be "used for any purpose other than demonstration, test or evaluation," per the EULA.

Ah! My favorite topic! NFR!

First, Microsoft would sue me if I SOLD Not-For-Resale Software. Or, at least kick me out of their Partner Program. Microsoft considers the sale of NFR software a violation of their licensing terms.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Microsoft - Types of Piracy - Sale of NFR Software
Online Auction Piracy: takes several forms, such as:
Software resold in violation of the original terms of sale, NFR (Not for Resale), or OEM software that is never authorized for resale by a third party.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NFR is my pet peeve.

Ask a Microsoft representative (for example TS2 presenters and our local Microsoft Regional Technical Support Engineer), "What can I do with this NFR software?" Or ask Microsoft SBS MVPs (I have). To a man, the reply will be, "You can do anything you want with it as long as you don't sell it."

I've read the EULA that comes with SBS 2003, and I've seen, "...demonstration, test, or evaluation....". But MS continues to hand out NFR software and tell the awardees, "Go ahead and use it however you want. Give it to your clients if you want. We just don't want to see an invoice for it."

Typical Microsoft EULA language:
10. NOT FOR RESALE SOFTWARE. Software identified as "Not for Resale" or "NFR," may not be sold or otherwise transferred for value, or used for any purpose other than demonstration, test or evaluation.

I currently have four copies of Windows 2003 Server, Enterprise Edition, 25 CALs, six SBS 2003 Premium, ten Office 2003 Professional, and a few other NFR packages sitting on my shelves. I've given away SBS 2003 and Office 2003. I wish that everyone at MS would have a unified story about what NFR software can be used for. This is a typical situation at many large companies: The right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing.

 

[stash]

Yeah, the NFR section of the EULA is pretty vague, and I doubt would ever hold up in court. It does not preclude you from using it in production, as long as your production network is being used to demonstrate, test or evaluate. So that pretty much leaves the door wide open to do whatever you want.

So I always tell people, if you manage to get your hands on some NFR goodness, congratulations. Do whatever you want with it, it is not limited in any way. Use it on your network, give it away to a friend or family member, use it as a coaster, whatever. Just don't sell it. Not even for a little itty bit of $$.

 

[RebateMonger]

In-depth discussion of SurplusComputers and their $169 SBS NFR offer:

Vladville.com blog by Vlad Mazek - "Microsoft Piracy-Live Long and Prosper?
Some of the discussion:
"How they are able to continue doing this without Microsoft coming down on them with a lawsuit I have no idea - hence my utter frustration with Microsoft. I am making this note not to inspire piracy, but rather to BEG anyone from Microsoft to please stop this. It really impairs our ability as legitimate partners to consult and deploy the product (charging $2k or more for the deployment) when the software itself can easily be obtained for $170!!! Not only that, but unethical computer people go in, sell the illegal product, and then we're called in to fix or deploy and we have to give clients the bad news that they have an illegal copy!!! I'm including the link so that Microsoft can (hopefully) take swift action.
.....
.....
So I'll get to my point: Where is Surplus Direct obtaining Microsoft NFR software? How is it that a major electronics outlet is allowed to illegaly distribute Microsoft software for months, and more importantly, where are they getting such a big stock of NFR media? Microsoft Licensing - please stand up and protect your partners and your customers before you lose both."

 

[stash]

I'm checking into it...

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: STaShSo I always tell people, if you manage to get your hands on some NFR goodness, congratulations. Do whatever you want with it, it is not limited in any way. Use it on your network, give it away to a friend or family member, use it as a coaster, whatever. Just don't sell it. Not even for a little itty bit of $$.

Yap that is the sentiment that I got from my intreaction with the field people of the Patrner Program, and that is the essesnce of my comment in my previous post.

Originally posted by: JackMDS
NFR (Not For Resale) means that you can Not buy few of them and sell them to some one else.

If you got one only you are allowed to use it.

However I took the link out, I do not like to contribute to the "Twilight Zone".

:sun:

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
You only get the CD (No documentation), the ISA Server is 2000, the current SBS comes with ISA 2004. SQL is 2000 the coming release of SBS2003 R2 would have SQL 2005.

Actually, SBS 2003 Premium gets a free upgrade to ISA Server 2004 when you apply the SBS 2003 SP1 update(you have to order the 3-CD SP1 update set for $5 from Microsoft). With SBS 2003 SP1, you are getting Windows Server, Exchange Server, ISA Server 2004, SQL 2000, plus FrontPage 2003. Total separate cost would be around $5000.

Also, SBS 2003 R2 will only come with SQL Server 2005 WORKGROUP Edition, which is not the "full" version of SQL 2005. For all current SQL uses (such as CRM, Great Plains, etc.), it's better to stick with the "full" SQL 2000, SP4 that's included with the SBS 2003 license.

 

[JackMDS]

Giving the nature of the offer at hand who knows what it is entitled to.

Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[RebateMonger]

Well, I DO have a couple of installed and activated NFR SBS 2003 Premium Edition Servers that I manage, and I was able to buy the SBS 2003 SP1 update disks from Microsoft. I've even gotten free PSS support from Microsoft for one of them when it started rebooting on its own, out of the blue. Microsoft seems to support them. You just aren't supposed to sell 'em!

 

[nweaver]

any handle on a legit way to get NFR SBS? I would like to try it out. If not, I'll have to kick our MSDN rep into getting me the proper info so I can download it iso. I've been to busy lately to even worry about it

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: nweaver
any handle on a legit way to get NFR SBS? I would like to try it out. If not, I'll have to kick our MSDN rep into getting me the proper info so I can download it iso. I've been to busy lately to even worry about it

180 days can go a long way.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/evaluation/trial/default.mspx

:sun:

 

[bluegreenturtle]

So does the action pack fall under NFR? Somebody who subscribes to it asked me the other day - is this illegal? They use it only internally, but they are not IT consultants, programmers, resellers, etc. They recently bought a new server and I told them to buy the OS retail instead of installing the action pack version. They did, (buy retail) but it still seems sort of grey.

 

[RebateMonger]

The Action Pack is both NFR and NFD (Not-for-Distribution). You can't sell it and you can't give it away, either. In fact, the licenses are rented, on a yearly basis. If you cancel the Action Pack yearly subscription, you are supposed to remove all the installed software, destroy the media, and stop using the license keys.

In signing the Action Pack agreement with Microsoft, you agree that you meet Microsoft's elegibility criteria. As to how/when/if Microsoft enforces that agreement....who knows.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: nweaver
any handle on a legit way to get NFR SBS? I would like to try it out. If not, I'll have to kick our MSDN rep into getting me the proper info so I can download it iso. I've been to busy lately to even worry about it

MS also gives Virtual PC images of SBS to Partners. I normally use those for test platforms, rather than going through the tediousness of installing SBS.