Help migrating away from SBS

[PhilTA]

I have an SBS 2003 server that I want to replace with 2 new AD and Exchange servers. In other words, I want to move away from the SBS environment altogether. However, I do want to keep the existing AD forest. So I have a few questions.

1. Can I add a regular Windows 2003 Server as a domain controller into the current AD domain running on the SBS?

2. Can I then eventually dcpromo/demote the SBS to decommision it as a DC?

3. Can I build out a new Exchange 2007 server into the existing Exchange Organization that was created by the SBS, and then decommision the SBS from the Exchange Organization?

 

[mobyduck]

If you want to migrate CALs as well then the best option would be to look at the Transition Pack from Microsoft.

It's qute a complex thing to accomplish and it depends on the size of the domain as to whether its an economically viable process.

Last time I did it there were issues with IE7, but I think that there's some fixes now available.

Als be aware that Microsoft Support is a bit unhelpful if things start to go pear shaped - while you're an SBS domain you can get help, and the same goes for a 2003 domain, but the bit in between, you're on your own (apart from Tek Tops of course)

 

[ShackDaddy]

1. Yes, you can add additional domain controllers to an SBS environment.

2. You can ultimately decommission an SBS box and remove it from the network. You can also use the hardware for a non-DC role...but not while it's running SBS. You'd need to install a non-SBS OS to do that. Running SBS in a non-DC role is a violation of the license agreement.

3. Yes, you can add Exchange 2007 to the existing Exchange 2003 org. I've done this many times. You can also do this in an SBS environment, but there are some things you should be aware of, and some SBS functionality will no longer work when the mailboxes are not hosted on the SBS box. You can add Exchange 2007 before removing SBS, but you'll need to be careful about following all the guidelines for removing the first Exchange 2003 server from the organization before you remove the SBS box from your network.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb288905(EXCHG.80).aspx

Dave Shackelford
Shackelford Consulting