2003 Small Biz Server Demotion, Possible? 1

[ibjammin101]

Is there any way to demote a 2003 Small Business Server to become a domain member, instead of the controller? According to what I've read, this machine wants to be controller, and can link to an active directory, but still will be control. Need to document this if possible.

 

[porkchopexpress]

A small bussiness server needs to be the first DC in the forest, you can have a secondary DC but the SBS still needs to be present. I think you can demote a SBS server but i'm not sure if there will be a licencing issue if you then use it in an ordinary domain where the SBS isn't the first server.

 

[porkchopexpress]

Ah someone has had the same issue here and apparently MS say that the SBS will shut down every 90 mins if it isn't the master of the universe .

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Windows_Server_2003/Q_21027546.html

 

[ibjammin101]

Thank you...yeah...this is going to be a long week. Appreciate it.

 

[58sniper]

Well, you can't promote or demote any server with Exchange on it. Doing so breaks Exchange permanently.

As PorkChopExpress said, SBS needs to be the forest root. You could get a transition pack if you need to move away from SBS. Or, do a swing migration.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[ibjammin101]

The exchange portion I am not as concerned about...these servers are used for proprietary software connected to an IP based phone system, our sales people should've ordered 2003 standard server, h%@# even xppro would've worked for these applications. Now the machines are in place, and one of them is being used as the voicemail server. I would be interested in these migration packages however....thanks for the reply.

 

[58sniper]

Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Transition Pack

http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2003/sbs/techinfo/planning/transition.mspx

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[ibjammin101]

Thanks Sniper and all!