Why Microsoft Server? How much time do you have?
March 17, 2017

Why Microsoft Server? How much time do you have?

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Windows Server

It is the primary domain controller, file server, and database server; not all in one, usually 2 or 3 servers, virtually or physically. The purpose is to control security, provide access to data and user production files like word processing and the like. It is the only real alternative in the current business environment in the United States if you want to find an abundance of qualified IT people to maintain your systems.
  • Integrated security with active directory.
  • Hosts SQL databases.
  • A large number of qualified people and resources to solve any client problems once installed.
  • Great support from Microsoft's specialized support groups who know how to focus on particularly difficult issues.
  • A better set of boiler plate power-shell scripts for managing group policy implementation.
  • Simpler lead in to installing and managing group policy.
  • Better GUI for group policy consoles.
  • Some choices in pre-configured group policies for different uses. i.e. everyone has to map drives, why is there not a straight up GUI to make this an easy point and click operation. Not all owners of servers are MS engineers.
  • Positive - it is the industry standard, no one misunderstands you when you tell them your putting in a Windows server.
  • Positive - help is easy to find when you need to hire techs to manage a Windows server environment.
  • Negative - the cost of a Windows server roll out for the average business it painful, specifically for small businesses.
Both would have worked ok for most small businesses but finding someone to tech and maintain these servers after install can be a task. Often they are expensive and you never know who or what you are buying due to lack of good certification standards for the other products.
Windows server is a simplest server to install for internal LAN operations. It becomes way too difficult when applied in a WAN environment. Most clients rely on sophisticated firewall appliances or third party vendors to manage proxy or NAT for the WAN. Not many put a windows server directly in the wild.