I’m going to build a Server for a client this December.

It’s a small business 10 users – may increase to 15 at times, I will use it as a SQL server for a custom database and file server, backup server maybe SharePoint later.

We also have M365.

My questions are:

I might get away with Windows 11 Pro but I think there maybe limitations to that? (read on).I plan to use SQL Express as I think that it will be suffice, ASP.NET Framework 4, no true user authentication mechanism, just one SQL logon account.The previous Server is a 2008 R1 server, I’m not sure if I will use AD and buy cals.Was thinking a Intel Core-2 5 or 7 but may have to go Xeon.

In brief, can I get away with Windows 11 with SQL Express and upto 15 connections.

Can I File Share with Windows 11 and support 15 connections, I could also buy a NAS but the SQL I think should be on a Windows Bare-Metal Box.

Notes:

The old server will be toast as the OS and hardware is too old.

The old server does not support .net core so the database was never upgraded for this.

I would like to buy a retail licence, not oem for Server 2025 – if when need to replace the board in the future.

Inter- User Secuity is not a big deal except for the boss and accounts.

​I’m going to build a Server for a client this December.It’s a small business 10 users – may increase to 15 at times, I will use it as a SQL server for a custom database and file server, backup server maybe SharePoint later.We also have M365.My questions are:I might get away with Windows 11 Pro but I think there maybe limitations to that? (read on).I plan to use SQL Express as I think that it will be suffice, ASP.NET Framework 4, no true user authentication mechanism, just one SQL logon account.The previous Server is a 2008 R1 server, I’m not sure if I will use AD and buy cals.Was thinking a Intel Core-2 5 or 7 but may have to go Xeon.In brief, can I get away with Windows 11 with SQL Express and upto 15 connections.Can I File Share with Windows 11 and support 15 connections, I could also buy a NAS but the SQL I think should be on a Windows Bare-Metal Box.Notes:The old server will be toast as the OS and hardware is too old.The old server does not support .net core so the database was never upgraded for this.I would like to buy a retail licence, not oem for Server 2025 – if when need to replace the board in the future.Inter- User Secuity is not a big deal except for the boss and accounts.  Read More

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