Windows SBS 2003 and Windows 2000 servers in the same domain

[danielategan]

I've recently started at a company and just want to know a few things. Currently a Windows 2000 server is the pdc in the domain. There 2 other windows 2000 server of which 1 has exchange 2003 installed. Then there are 2 Windows 2003 SBS servers in the domain. 1 is used as a BES server and the other one as a fileserver. Even though the network/domain seems to be functioning I was wondering if having a mix like this on a domain is any good. Apparently you can only have 1 SBS server in a domain and it needs to be a pdc or have that role. Whenever I'm on one of the SBS servers it seems to have authentication issues when browsing some of the windows 2000 servers, but not vice versa. I know the SBS can be upgraded to a windows 2003 server which might make life a lot easier, but I will loose the exchange capability of the sbs server, which acts as a backup at the moment and I'm sure it will be quite expensive installing a 2nd exchange 2003 server. basically I just want to know if I should move towards a pure Windows 2003 network with 1 or 2 Windows 2000 servers still part of it untill they get replaced.

 

[markdmac]

Advise your employer that they are in violation of the terms of licensing for the SBS Servers.

You can purchase the Transition Pack for the SBS server that will remove the restrictions on it and make it a regular 2003 server and you get to keep the Exchange.

Personally at this point I would recommend you look at SBS 2008 or EBS. Move to new x64 2008 servers, run hyper-v and virtualize some of your legacy servers or just consolidate to newer more robust hardware & OS.

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.

 

[danielategan]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for your response. Could you ellaborate on the violation in terms of the SBS licensing please. Also when I buy the migration pack - will I have to buy extra cals for the windows 2003 server. At the moment I prefer to have a pure windows 2003 environment as I have not had any exposure to windows 2008 yet. With the new servers I will buy to upgrade the windows 2000 servers I'll get the downgrade option from 2008 on those for the future. Personally I don't like the SBS servers at all.
regards
Danie

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

I believe it has to do with you running 2 SBS servers within one domain. Microsoft licenses SBS for a small network requiring only one, all in one DC. That is why the pricing is lower.

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/842690

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

Note: The computer that is running Windows Small Business Server must have all operations master roles. You stated a 2000 server had the PDC Emulator role

 

[LWComputingMVP]

SBS must be the FSMO master DC. If it's not SBS will start rebooting itself every hour after about 1-3 weeks (depending on certain factors). If it's been more than that since they were installed, then they must of illegally hacked at SBS to prevent these reboots. That is a violation. Because SBS must be the FSMO master DC, you can only have ONE SBS server on the network (how can TWO servers hold ALL 5 FSMO roles?)

I wouldn't bother with the transition pack since it's cost is MORE than a full Windows Server license. I would just remove SBS from one server and reinstall standard. Then I would make the SBS server my FSMO master DC. At that point, you should be legal.

If you understand SBS, there's nothing not to like. Their restrictions are generally not an issue for most businesses and they offer features that NON-SBS systems don't - such as Remote Web Workplace and numerous configuration wizards that make administration for the non-IT person easier. But you DO NEED TO UNDERSTAND THEM. The first SBS install I did, I butchered because I treated it like standard server with Exchange. It's not. SBS offers excellent pricing for small business as well. And, it's VERY VERY reliable - WHEN INSTALLED PROPERLY. At this point, given the information on the network you've provided, I would probably be rebuilding the network from the ground up to ensure it was setup to be as reliable as possible.

-Lee

Those who ask why, learn

http://www.lwcomputing.com

 

[markdmac]

The last time we did a transition pack it was a break even point on the cost, however the advantage of doing that is that you keep the SBS features such as fax service and Remote Web Workplace.

Beyond that I agree with the comments above.

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.

 

[danielategan]

Thank you all for all your comments, it's been quite helpfull. I'm sure the 2ns SBS server is not illegal software, but it might have been installed halfway or something, but it's not restarting by itself at all. I think I will just upgrade both to my preferred windows 2003 servers. Just one last question - with the transition pack upgrade I assume you will not loose any data on the server as we have quite a bit of user data on there. From what I've read I might loose some access control setup to the various data folders. At the moment most of the folders has either group or individual acls.
Thanks again for all your comments - this forum seems to be a good place to share and gather information. Hopefully I'll be able to make some positive contributions in the future.

 

[markdmac]

Daniel, if you have 2 SBS then one is illegal. There isn't any wiggle room there. I'm not saying it is pirated software, only that it is not operating within the confines of the SBS licensing.

Some people get away with this by putting the second SBS behind a router. It is still a violation.

If you upgrade the SBS with the transition pack, it gets all of the SBS licensing restrictions removed and it is then just a Windows 2003 server. Furthermore you have the right then to remove Exchange and load it on another server, however you would need to order different Exchange media since what ships with SBS looks to only install on an SBS server.

ACLs and Shares will remain intact with the transition pack.

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.