Inline hardware upgrade of SBS2003 OEM

[Nick]

Hi All,

The time has finally come to replace our now six year old Server, never
missed a beat but what was designed for four people now handles twenty.

Question is what is the best way of doing this? I suspect that there are
not many benefits in going to SBS2008 for them so am intending to stick with
SBS2003 for the moment.

First problem is that this is OEM so I guess we will need to purchase an OLP
version. Does this actually require the process of reinstalling over the
top or is it just a case of entering a new licence code?

Now the difficult bit, what is the simplest/best way to transfer all to a
new Server. I would much prefer to do some form of inline upgrade if
possible. I assume I can get all the partitions mirrored onto a simple SATA
drive and boot the Server from that avoiding the current RAID controller.
This drive is can then be transfered to new Server hardware, providing it
has a basic SATA controller on-board. Of course SBS will then not boot
because it is on different hardware.

What do I do at this point? I guess it is a case of Booting to SBS install
CD and reinstall over the top or is there a better way of doing an inline
hardware upgrade?

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Jim]

Look for a Swing Migration. That's your best option.

Also, it probably IS worth going with SBS2008, it brings lots of
benefits.



Jim

On Sun, 30 May 2010 21:44:59 +0100, "Nick" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>Hi All,
>
>The time has finally come to replace our now six year old Server, never
>missed a beat but what was designed for four people now handles twenty.
>
>Question is what is the best way of doing this? I suspect that there are
>not many benefits in going to SBS2008 for them so am intending to stick with
>SBS2003 for the moment.
>
>First problem is that this is OEM so I guess we will need to purchase an OLP
>version. Does this actually require the process of reinstalling over the
>top or is it just a case of entering a new licence code?
>
>Now the difficult bit, what is the simplest/best way to transfer all to a
>new Server. I would much prefer to do some form of inline upgrade if
>possible. I assume I can get all the partitions mirrored onto a simple SATA
>drive and boot the Server from that avoiding the current RAID controller.
>This drive is can then be transfered to new Server hardware, providing it
>has a basic SATA controller on-board. Of course SBS will then not boot
>because it is on different hardware.
>
>What do I do at this point? I guess it is a case of Booting to SBS install
>CD and reinstall over the top or is there a better way of doing an inline
>hardware upgrade?
>
>Thanks,
> Nick
>
>

 

[Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]]

Hi Nick,

While you *may* be able to to still find open license or retail copies of
SBS 2003, it's nearly at the end of life (tear trickles down face). Since
you have to buy new hardware anyway, now would be a good time to move to SBS
2008 (64-bit hardware required). Of course, that means a learning curve for
you.

As for migration to new hardware, Microsoft has a Migration Document or you
can do a "swing" using Jeff's kit:

SBS Migration (Jeff Middleton)
http://www.sbsmigration.com/

Migrating to Windows Small Business Server 2008 from Windows Small Business
Server 2003
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=52b7ea63-78af-4a96-811e-284f5c1de13b&displaylang=en

If you decide to stick with SBS 2003, it appears that www.viosoftware.com
still has some copies of it.

Small Business Server
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=52b7ea63-78af-4a96-811e-284f5c1de13b&displaylang=en

You can also buy SBS 2008 and then downgrade to SBS 2003:

SBS 2008 downgrade rights
http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/downgrade-rights.aspx

--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================

"Nick" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:##[email protected]

> Hi All,
>
> The time has finally come to replace our now six year old Server, never
> missed a beat but what was designed for four people now handles twenty.
>
> Question is what is the best way of doing this? I suspect that there are
> not many benefits in going to SBS2008 for them so am intending to stick
> with SBS2003 for the moment.
>
> First problem is that this is OEM so I guess we will need to purchase an
> OLP version. Does this actually require the process of reinstalling over
> the top or is it just a case of entering a new licence code?
>
> Now the difficult bit, what is the simplest/best way to transfer all to a
> new Server. I would much prefer to do some form of inline upgrade if
> possible. I assume I can get all the partitions mirrored onto a simple
> SATA drive and boot the Server from that avoiding the current RAID
> controller. This drive is can then be transfered to new Server hardware,
> providing it has a basic SATA controller on-board. Of course SBS will
> then not boot because it is on different hardware.
>
> What do I do at this point? I guess it is a case of Booting to SBS
> install CD and reinstall over the top or is there a better way of doing an
> inline hardware upgrade?
>
> Thanks,
> Nick
>
>
>

 

[SuperGumby [SBS MVP]]

if you are looking to new hardware and have to buy anyway ('coz your current
license is OEM) I'd be looking at SBS08.

Like Jim I'd also be looking to Swing IT, www.sbsmigration.com

There is a high likelihood that you could attach the current drive(s) to a
new system and simply boot, allow Windows to detect hardware changes.
Another possibility is that you do not attempt to boot off the drive but
perform a 'repair install'. I'm really not sure but think the 'repair' path
may allow entry of the new key.

"Nick" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:%23%[email protected]

> Hi All,
>
> The time has finally come to replace our now six year old Server, never
> missed a beat but what was designed for four people now handles twenty.
>
> Question is what is the best way of doing this? I suspect that there are
> not many benefits in going to SBS2008 for them so am intending to stick
> with SBS2003 for the moment.
>
> First problem is that this is OEM so I guess we will need to purchase an
> OLP version. Does this actually require the process of reinstalling over
> the top or is it just a case of entering a new licence code?
>
> Now the difficult bit, what is the simplest/best way to transfer all to a
> new Server. I would much prefer to do some form of inline upgrade if
> possible. I assume I can get all the partitions mirrored onto a simple
> SATA drive and boot the Server from that avoiding the current RAID
> controller. This drive is can then be transfered to new Server hardware,
> providing it has a basic SATA controller on-board. Of course SBS will
> then not boot because it is on different hardware.
>
> What do I do at this point? I guess it is a case of Booting to SBS
> install CD and reinstall over the top or is there a better way of doing an
> inline hardware upgrade?
>
> Thanks,
> Nick
>
>
>