Difference between MOSS and WSS

Introduction

WSS is foundation and MOSS is optional add-on. You cannot install MOSS of itself. If you try to do this, you will be requested to install WSS first.

Characteristics of WSS

• It is a Web Based Application
• It stores all information in an MS SQL database.
• It displays information using web Parts.
• It comes with site templates.

What WSS does not have?

• There is no support for indexing and Searching.
• It does not have advanced intranet features, such as targeted information and content management.
• It has no record management.
• It cannot display InfoPath forms in Web Browser.
• It cannot display MS Excel spreadsheet as Web Part.
• It comes with less than 10 Web parts.
• It cannot Read and Write to External Database.

So to achieve all above task which WSS does not have, MOSS came into action. 

MOSS 2007

• Use global search functionality to find any type of information regardless of type and location.
• Target information to one or more User Group.
• Use Advanced Content Management.
• Import User Data from Active Directory.
• Use RSS web part to list information fetched from RSS feeds.
• Give each SharePoint user a Personal Web Site.
• Search, display content from external Database.

Comparison of Built in Feature of SharePoint

Note :
When you, open Central Admin Page. This is administration page for SharePoint. When you click on SSP , that will open specific admin page for MOSS.

SSP is nothing but collection of configured service to work with MOSS.Happy Coding