Administering Windows Small Business Server 2008 by Using the Windows SBS Console

Updated: August 21, 2008

Applies To: Windows SBS 2008

Windows® Small Business Server 2008 includes the Windows SBS Console, which makes it easy to configure and manage your Windows SBS 2008 network. By using the Windows SBS Console, you can accomplish the following administrative tasks:

• View high-level network status.

• Manage users and groups on your network.

• Manage computers printers, faxes, and network connectivity.

• Manage access and settings for shared folders and Web sites.

• Manage backup, restore, and data storage.

• Add and customize server reports.

• Manage updates, antispyware, anti-spam, antivirus, and file-system antivirus settings.

Note

You should manage all other resources on the network through Windows Server® 2008. Additionally, you should handle advanced administrative tasks through Windows Server 2008.

The following table lists the administrative tasks that can be accomplished from the tabs that are available in Windows SBS Console.

Windows SBS Console Tab Name	Administration Tasks and Tab Names
Home	Includes the following lists: Getting Started Tasks, Frequent Tasks, and Community Links. The Home page also provides a Network Essentials Summary, where you can view the status of your network. For more information about the Home page, see Windows SBS Console Home Page.
Users and Groups	Allows you to manage users and groups that are created by the Windows SBS Console. It includes the following tabs: Users, User Roles, and Groups. For more information about using the Windows SBS Console to manage users and groups, see Managing Users and Groups. Important To manage non-Windows SBS users and computers, use Active Directory® Users and Computers Management Console.
Network	Allows you to manage computers, printers, faxes, and network connectivity. It includes the following tab: Computers, Devices, and Connectivity. For more information about using the Windows SBS Console to manage your network, see Managing Your Network.
Shared Folders and Web Sites	Allows you to manage access and settings for shared folders and Web sites. It includes the following tabs: Shared Folders and Web sites. For more information about using the Windows SBS Console to manage shared folders and Web sites, see Managing Shared Folders and Web Sites.
Backup and Server Storage	Allows you to manage backup, restore, and data storage. It includes the following tabs: Backup and Server Storage. For more information about using the Windows SBS Console to manage backup and server storage, see Managing Backup and Server Storage.
Reports	Allows you to view reports about your server that you can customize. For more information about using the Windows SBS Console to monitor and report information about your network, see Managing Reporting.
Security	Allows you to manage updates, antispyware, anti-spam, antivirus, and file-system antivirus settings. For more information about using the Windows SBS Console to manage network security, see Managing Security.

Windows SBS 2008 enables you to accomplish these administrative tasks by using the Windows SBS Console from any location—from a client on the network, from the local console on the server, or from the Internet.

This document includes information that helps you understand the tasks available from each of the tabs on the Windows SBS Console. This information is available in the following sections:

• Accessing Windows SBS Console

• Windows SBS Console Home Page

• Managing Users and Groups

• Managing Your Network

• Managing Shared Folders and Web Sites

• Managing Backup and Server Storage

• Managing Reporting

• Managing Security