SBS Migration to Standard

[adrianvasile]

I was wondering if someone has any experience with migrating from SBS server to Standard version. Basically, right now i have a SBS server that does everything: file server, DC, exchange, etc.
I would like to:
>> Migrate SBS to Standard using Transition Pack
>> Move exchange to a dedicated server
>> Have dedicated file server and additional DCs for backup
Any advice will be appreciated.
Thank you.
AV

 

[adrianvasile]

But again, I will soon hit my limit of 75 users and, like it or not, I'll have to migrate to either Standard or EBS (which I never heard of). Can I transfer the Exchange from the SBS Server to another box and then run the Transition Pack, demote the server and make a new DC? I will not un-install the Exchange just make anothe server the mail handler.

 

[58sniper]

You'd be better doing the transition first. Then migrate Exchange following KB article 822931.

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Contributing author Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The Complete Reference

 

[adrianvasile]

So this plan should work then:
>> perform the Transition Pack
>> migrate exchange to a new box (server 2003 standard OS; no DC or anything like that)
>> then I have another server ready to become the main DC (Raid 1, 4 GB , ect)
>> after performing the TP I should have a Standard 2003 domain based; I should be able to make the new server the primary DC; then Demote the SBS Server to a member server
>> change the main domain in the Exchange server so it work with new domain
>> after testing everything, wipe off the old SBS and install Standard OS, make the box a member server for other roles maybe.
What do you think?

 

[markdmac]

I would recommend you avoid the transition pack at all costs. It really doesn't save you anything price wise, just preserves the existing server licenses and lets you move Exchange. It would cost you just as much to buy Exchange and a server license and then you can MOVE mailboxes. You can then uninstall Exchange from SBS while still preserving all that is SBS.

EBS is the new equivalent of SBS for medium businesses. How soon do you think you will hit the 75 user limit?



I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.

 

[adrianvasile]

I intend to complete this project by the end of August. How popular is EBS? To be honest I never heard of it and I usually try to saty current with the IT stuff

 

[markdmac]

EBS is currently being deployed to TAP customers. It is still in RC0 release.

One other thing I forgot to mention about the transition pack, if you do go that route, you still need to buy media to be able to install Exchange on another server. The transition pack handles the licensing but doesn't change the fact that the CD you got with SBS is limited to installing that version of Exchange on SBS.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.

 

[adrianvasile]

I will keep that in mind. I will probably don't want to try the EBS server; as with all Microsoft products it usually takes a while to become a full mature product.
This topic was a great discussion. Thank you for your input everyone.
Adrian

 

[markdmac]

My company has deployed the largest EBS TAP that Microsoft has at this point. It is being used in production with no problems to date. All the tweaking MS will be doing is related to the installation and mostly improving documentation.

Unlike SBS where the server is highly specialized and tweaked to work together, EBS is really just standard Windows 2008 servers with a few Wizards installed on top.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.

 

[adrianvasile]

I know it is probably a good product; I will try to finish this project using Standard 2003 Server and maybe later try the 2008 version.