Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : Windows Standard vs. Web Server

[hypebeast]

What's the difference?

Am I able to install programs / exe files on a web server?
Am I able to install apache instead of using IIS?
Am I able to use firefox to browse the internet on a web server?

[Lee@GenesisAdaptive]

The main difference between Web Server and Standard Edition are the roles the servers are able to install by default. With Web Server edition, you are limited to IIS; but you could run Apache if you wanted to. You can also run any exe files you want on the web server without issue.

Take a look here to compare editions and see which one fits you best:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...are-roles.aspx

[yaramon]

Windows Web server allows only 1 concurrent VPN connections.

Also on web server only web server role can be used. No other roles can be choosen. I highly recommend using a standard server.

[ShyGuy82]

For me personally, Web Edition is fine if you don't need anything else other than IIS. If you host your own DNS, Web Edition is a NO NO as it has no DNS server. I think extra $10/mo is worth getting a Standard Edition.

[Motiv]

Originally Posted by hypebeast

What's the difference?

Am I able to install programs / exe files on a web server?
Am I able to install apache instead of using IIS?
Am I able to use firefox to browse the internet on a web server?

To answer your question - yes to all 3, but use Linux if you want Apache.

[templaters]

The real differance, when you get into using the servers is the allowed amount of ram.

Web edition only sees 2 gig ram at max. no matter how much the system actually has

Standard goes up to 4 gig ram max

enterprise goes higher.


otis

[SwarmHost]

That RAM limit only applies to 2003; 2008 is less restrictive.

[Eddy2010]

You cannot install sql server in web edition, so better to opt standard edition. jUst extra 10 bucks

[SwarmHost]

2008 also has DNS server roles and no limitations on sql. It really is 10X better than the 2003 version.

Check it out:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv.../2008-web.aspx

[ShyGuy82]

Originally Posted by SwarmHost

2008 also has DNS server roles and no limitations on sql. It really is 10X better than the 2003 version.

Check it out:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv.../2008-web.aspx

There is no DNS server on my 2008 Web, albeit it's not R2. As far as RAM.....I had a Win 2008 Web Ed 64bit from LSN and it's sees ALL 8GB of RAM.

[SwarmHost]

It looks like it could be only the R2 version that has DNS. It is only mentioned on the R2 overview.

"Windows Web Server 2008 R2

Windows Web Server 2008 R2 is a powerful Web application and services platform. Featuring Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.5 and designed exclusively as an Internet-facing server, it offers improved administration and diagnostic tools to help reduce infrastructure costs when used with a variety of popular development platforms. With included Web Server and DNS Server roles, as well as improved reliability and scalability, this platform allows you to manage the most demanding environments — from a dedicated Web server to an entire Web server farm. "

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...-overview.aspx

[ShyGuy82]

Yup, thank SwarmHost....I haven't read the R2 specs.

[eukhostsupport]

If IIS and SQL fulfills your requirement then no problem for Webserver, most of restriction that 2003 Webserver has are removed in 2008 Webserver.
And yes SQL can be installed on Webserver, need to install hotfix/patch prior installing SQL. Check URL below for patch information
http://blogs.iis.net/bills/archive/2...rver-2005.aspx