Windows 2008 Server Standard in Retail Box - 5 CALS

fieldmonkey

Hello,

I'm kind of new here (MS Forum area)... I have been hanging out in the Cisco forum. However I wanted to seek your professional advice, as I am only a novice when it comes to 2008.

I have an opportunity to purchase the below for $120, is that a good deal and is there any downside to purchasing this product from a stranger... I mean they say the box is sealed and never opened, but you never know!#$?

I'm not sure what the Part Number below is or relates too... google brought back random stuff.

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Windows 2008 Server Standard in Retail Box - 5 CALS
Brand New in Retail Box. Never Used.
SKU-P73-03883
Part No. X14-03661-02
$120.00 takes it.

I contacted MS and they reminded me that the EULA or TOS doesn't allow this person to resell the item, but they would be able to let me know if the activation code is legitimate. However only until I install it and attempt to activate it would I find out if the product code has ever been used or not.

So... again I ask...

1) Is this a good price for this software--I noticed some R2 comparisons comments on other post and it seems I would not be getting the full blown version, which leads me to my 2nd question.

2) What is the difference major differences between this version and the R2 version in a nutshell?

I would like to use the software for getting certified on MS 2008, using it for non commercial use in a lab. Such as basically using it for webhosting, DHCP, AAA, DNS, and getting more familiar with AD etc.

I greatly appreciate your time and answer in advance.

fieldmonkey

MentholMoose

1) It's about $900 at legitimate stores, so the price is very low and sounds too good to be true.

2) If you are just doing labs and learning about Server 2008, why not just use free evaluation copies? Except than the most simple labs, you will need more than one server, so you will probably use evals anyway.

Another option is a Technet subscription... with the current promotion ([URL="ihttp://blogs.technet.com/matthewms/archive/2010/01/18/sign-up-now-with-tnite06-for-28-discount-off-a-new-technet-subscription.aspx"]link[/URL]) it is about $250 for a year and gives you tons of software (servers, clients, and applications) and licenses to use in a lab environment. I'm pretty sure it includes everything you need for any Microsoft exam.

Anyway, regarding Server 2008 R2, Microsoft has an article about the new features here:
What's New: Changes in Functionality from Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2

If you want to learn the latest stuff, then 2008 R2 would be the way to go. As far as certifications go, the older 2008 is OK for some but not all Microsoft exams. For example, 70-652 covers Hyper-V 1.0 (in Server 2008 ), but 70-659 covers Hyper-V 2.0 (in 2008 R2).

Hyper-Me

I throw another hundredish dollars at it and get Technet, like menthol said.

I use technet and its a godsend. Ive been lucky enough to get it free from one of the technet managers.

dynamik

+2 for Technet.

Check out Buy Cheap Software, OEM, antivirus, Internet security, Office, Windows 7, Server, CD, DVD Burning, Windows, XP, SQL, Exchange, Word, Excel. OEM, Licensing, Retail Softwares. for software costs. They're legit, and I'd be very skeptical of any offer you find that's lower than theirs (especially by such a ridiculous amount).

ecstasyofagony

If you are a student, check out http://www.dreamspark.com

crrussell3

While you can get it for that cheap if you are a non-profit (just purchased W2k8 Ent for $160 this morning TechSoup - The Technology Place For Nonprofits ) you have to be a legal non-profit, school, or library with the proper tax id. So this does sound like a too good to be true deal.

As others have suggested, I would get a technet sub or just eval copies that you can download for free from Microsoft.