Inherited machine - how do I find license/version info

[jjasper]

Hi,

I am totally new to Exchange, I inherited a Microsoft Server 2003 Enterprise machine with an Active Directory and a MS Exchange 2003 machine. These are the only 2 machines and I have then running on a switch by itself so I can view and log into exchange accounts. Now, I would love to see what the exchange server is licensed for, like how many users, etc. Then I would love to see what I can upgrade the MS exchange 2003 to, such as does it have to be 2007 Enterprise version, etc. So could someone tell me how to view license information and/or version information for Exchange?



Thank You

John

 

[58sniper]

You won't be able to tell from the application how many licenses you have. That's a paperwork issue.

You can't upgrade an existing server to 2007. You have to migrate to new hardware for 2007.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[jjasper]

Wow, so you can't go out and purchase Exchange 2007 upgrade disk and install over 2003? When you say you have to migrate to new hardware, that means purchasing a new machine, then purchasing full version of Exchange 2007?!? Gosh, Microsoft makes it so easy !

So my question I guess is; Do I have a good email system if I stick with this Exchange 2003, if yes then I will buy books and learn the system, if it is better to go to Exchange 2007, it seems that there is no monetary advantage to already having Exchange 2003.

Am I wasting my time by trying to learn Exchange 2003 at this age of the software - by that I mean, if I take a year to learn Exchange, will it be obsolete with little Microsoft support, I know that Microsoft so easily makes an older system that way.

If I have ot go out and purchase new hardware and a new full version of Exchange, then I won't bother... is this what I am facing?

Thanks for any direction

John

 

[58sniper]

Wow, so you can't go out and purchase Exchange 2007 upgrade disk and install over 2003? When you say you have to migrate to new hardware, that means purchasing a new machine, then purchasing full version of Exchange 2007?!? Gosh, Microsoft makes it so easy !

Exchange 2003 is 32bit only. Exchange 2007 is 64bit only. This has been fully disclosed and widely reported for several years.

So my question I guess is; Do I have a good email system if I stick with this Exchange 2003, if yes then I will buy books and learn the system, if it is better to go to Exchange 2007, it seems that there is no monetary advantage to already having Exchange 2003.

If it's working fine for you, why upgrade? 2007 does provide some nice features, but there is a learning curve.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[jjasper]

Ok - Thank you,

Well, like I said, brand new to this inherited Exchange so I don't know that it is "working fine for me" and didn't know it was "widely reported as 64-bit".
Geesh, if this was made clear "several" years ago, it must have been very aggravating to many small business customers who definitely did not have 64 bit servers back then..... Just naming it Exchange 2003 and Exchange 2007 makes it very clear about what Microsoft had decided. I run a small business and I guess I will pass on upgrading to 2007 because I would have to guess that Microsoft will come out with another version as soon as I am done that needs a 128 bit machine....
I guess 2003 could end up working fine but then the service packs start dropping off and support end of life happens. I guess I'll just reconfigure the machines for workstations.

Thanks for your input.

J

 

[wahnula]

Most hardware has been 64-bit capable for many years now, dating back to the Athlon 64. If you have any sort of Opteron or a post-2004 Xeon chances are you're already 64-bit capable.

Run The Belarc Advisor or consult your manual to determine your hardware.

The fact that your hardware might be acceptable does not preclude the fact that the OS also needs to be 64-bit.

If it was my choice, I'd aim my education at Server 2008 and Exchange 2007.

Tony

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