Microsoft puts the finishing touches on Small Business Server 2011

On December 13, Microsoft released to manufacturing two of its upcoming small-business-focused servers: Windows Small Business Server 2011 (codenamed SBS 7).

Microsoft RTM'd both the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard and the Small Business Server 2011 Premium Add-on. The products will be available to volume licensees in early January and to those wanting to download a trial copy as of mid-January. Availability through OEM’s and System Builders is expected starting February, 2011.

As Microsoft execs said previously, the updated versions of its Windows Small Business Server product will include Windows Server 2008 R2, Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 1 and SharePoint Foundation Services 2010. The Premium Add-on includes SQL Server 2008 R2. The products are designed for small businesses with up to 75 users.

Estimated retail pricing for SBS 2011 Standard is $1,096, with client-access licenses (CALs) going for approximately $72. Availability through OEM’s and System Builders is expected starting February, 2011. Estimated retail pricing for SBS 2011 Premium Add-on is $1,604, with CALs costing $92.

Microsoft is planning to RTM other related small-business and home servers, including the Vail Windows Home Server, Aurora hybrid cloud-on-premises small-business server and Breckenridge storage servers in the first half of 2011. Microsoft recently decided to pull its Drive Extender storage technology from those products, riling many in its tester and user communities.