Can SBS 2003 R2 run as normal Server 2003

[itgadgets]

Hi all, Firslty my first post in here!

I have a customer that wants to add a new domain controller to their 2003 R2 standard network!

They have a copy of SBS Premium 2003 r2 which has never been used as they just don't require the features so they went with Server 2003 standard!

My question is could they install the server part only of sbs 2003 i.e. the first disk and not run the sbs setup and add it to the existing domain as a domain controller?

Hope that makes sence! This is mainly to save them buying another 2003 server licence....

cheers
Scott

 

[noveyron]

That is essentially what you do on a swing migration. I do however vaguely remember that it will only run for 7 days like that.

Hopefully somebody will be along shortly to confirm one way or the other.

 

[NetworkTek]

I think it is actually 21 days that two sbs servers can co-exist with each other in the same domain. With that being said to my knowledge you can introduce sbs2003 to an existing domain. You don't have to install Exchange and all that. See the following article

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/884453

Network+
Inet+
MCP
MCSA 2003
MCTS

 

[noveyron]

The configuration of the server should in principle be carried out as soon as the operating system is installed. If you stop setup after installation, SBS will automatically shut down in seven days because the licensing requirements have not been met."

From

http://www.installationwiki.org/Installing_SBS_2003

 

[NetworkTek]

I apologize it is 21 days on sbs2k3 to sbs2k8 migration that they can co-exist.

Network+
Inet+
MCP
MCSA 2003
MCTS

 

[jkisner]

I thought that the coexisting and time limit of 7 days was only if the SBS parts were installed. If you only install the 2003 Server, this should be just like any other 2003 server install considering that is what the first disc is anyway. As long as you activated it before the 21 or 30 days.