Install the Windows Essential Business Server software suite

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Windows EBS includes Microsoft products (with the associated features, services, and roles), which are installed onto three servers: the Management Server, the Messaging Server, and the Security Server. For more information about the products that are installed, see “Product Technologies” at the Microsoft Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=140241).

When you install Windows EBS, you must complete the following steps:

  1. Check your existing network health and compatibility by using the Preparation Wizard.

  2. Document your existing network settings and plan how to include Windows EBS in your network by using the Planning Wizard.

  3. Install Windows EBS on each of the three servers, applying the information that you supplied in the Planning Wizard.

  4. Ensure that you have the correct product keys to use Windows EBS.

  5. Complete a set of configuration and migration tasks.

Running the Preparation Wizard

Before you install Windows EBS, you must run the Preparation Wizard to determine whether your environment meets the technical requirements for Windows EBS.

Install the Preparation Wizard from Windows EBS Disc 1 - Prerequisite Planning Tools, and then run the wizard. For more information about running this wizard, see the “Preparation and Planning Guide” at the Microsoft Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=122157).

Running the Planning Wizard

After you run the Preparation Wizard, you must run the Planning Wizard to collect information about the network settings that you will use when you install Windows EBS.

Install the Planning Wizard from Windows EBS Disc 1 - Prerequisite Planning Tools, and then run the wizard. For more information about running this wizard, see the “Preparation and Planning Guide” at the Microsoft Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=122157).

Installing Windows Essential Business Server

After you run the Preparation Wizard and the Planning Wizard, you can install and configure Windows EBS. If you are not creating a virtualized instance of Windows EBS, you should review the “Installation Overview” at the Microsoft Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=137257). For more information about installing Windows EBS, see “Install Windows Essential Business Server” at the Microsoft Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=137273). If you are creating a virtualized instance of Windows EBS, see Virtualize Windows Essential Business Server, later in this document.

Using Windows Essential Business Server product keys

Windows EBS requires several product keys (25-character alphanumeric codes) to activate it. For more information about the product keys that are required for Windows EBS, see “Using Windows Essential Business Server Product Keys” at the Microsoft Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=140249).

Completing configuration and migration tasks

After you finish installing Windows EBS, you must complete several configuration tasks on your servers and migrate your existing data to enable all of the features of Windows EBS. The Configuration and Migration Tasks checklist helps you to complete these tasks. For more information about using the checklist, see “Guided Configuration and Migration Tasks” at the Microsoft Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=140243).