Which Download to Use

[wishiknewmore]

A little background first:
We had (emphasis on had) a LAN with a domain server running Windows NT-4 Server and a SQL server running Windows Server 2000 and SQL server 2000.

The domain server rolled over and died. It went belly up with it's little legs kicking a couple of times in the air, then all was silent.

At that time we made the decision to upgrade both server's software to Windows Server 2008.

The domain server is now upgraded and running with a few problems, but that's another story for a different forum.

I have subsequently found that SQL server 2000 does not get along with Windows Server 2008, so we've decided to use Server 2003 on the SQL server. We see no need to upgrade the SQL software at this time.

On the MS download site for the server software I'm confronted with several choices which all appear similar to me yet I'm sure there are differences.

Can someone point me at the right one to download. This will be used on the server with SQL Server 2000.

Here are the choices I have:

1.  Windows Server Standard 2003 R2 2006-02-01
2. Windows Server Standard 2008 without Hyper-V 2008-03-01
3. Windows Server Standard 2003 R2 (ISO) 2006-01-02
4. Windows Server Standard 2003 R2 with Service Pack 2 2007-04-01
5.  Windows Server Standard 2003 R2 Service Pack 2 2007-04-01

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[58sniper]

Not sure which MS download site you're referring to (MSDN, for development?), but if you need 2003, then option #4 is probably what you're looking for.

Pat Richard MVP

 

[cajuntank]

Your probably looking at the eopen site for keys and downloads. Pat's right on the money that you want to get your option #4 if your doing a new install and need media to download since it already has SP2 streamed into the Windows 2003 R2 base.

 

[wishiknewmore]

Thanks for the info.

To clarify, we bought and paid for two copies of Server 2008 through CDW. They, in turn, authorized us to go to the MS download site to download the software. Evidently they don't sent it out boxed these days. Via that site, we were authorized to download Server 2008 or 2003. As long as we don't install and activate more than two total copies, we're supposed to be OK.

 

[58sniper]

Again, you don't mention WHICH site. We'll assume it's eopen.

Pat Richard MVP

 

[Davetoo]

hmm...maybe they're wicken, in which case it's witch site?

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[wishiknewmore]

Sorry, yes it's eopen.

 

[theravager]

The 2003 R2 version with iso means its a bootable cd that can be burned and would be the best choice. R2 has SP2 already installed.

The others will be just the install files, which will be a little smaller but generally not as useful.

You can download anything you want, its just when you install it on something that you need to conform to the licensing.

 

[wishiknewmore]

Got it. Thanks for the help.

 

[Davetoo]

Server 2003 R2 does not, by default, include SP2.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!