server confusion *help needed*

[mxp]

Hi guys,

So here is the background on the situation:
Client currently has an old server running 2003 SBS, and its not cutting it anymore in terms of speed,space,etc.

Client would like a new setup that consists of separating the Domain Controller, File Server and Exchange Server away from each other.

Im a little foggy on the following:
Can I set up 3 machines each running 2008 SBS and only use 1 function on each (1) DC, (1) FS and (1) only for exchange?

or

Get 2008 Standard (3 lic) and use that individually?

Much appreciated thank in advance...

dan

 

[RiDDLeRThC]

Take a look at EBS 2008 its exactly what you are looking for actually.

 

[mxp]

ebs is totally out of the price range .. being that its 8,100 USD ..

 

[RiDDLeRThC]

Sorry didnt see any budget but your other options are also out of your price range.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

SBS03 is licensed for 1 box.
You can add other member servers to an SBS domain, many of my clients that use SBS but have heavier needs run several other member servers, my biggest client that runs SBS has 6x other member servers. I have SBS doing infrastructure (AD/DNS/DHCP/WINS) as well as Exchange naturally, and Sharepoint, and Remote Web Workplace portal, another member server doing the file and print sharing, another server running their primary LOB healthcare app...database server, another member server hosting accounting apps (MAS90, ADP, Blackbaud, Eset RAS/RAC antivirus management), another server doing Terminal Server, and the last server running Server 03 Storage as a big NAS for their Paragon server backup storage.

You just need to purchase Server licenses for the additional Server OS's.

 

[TechieSooner]

Could it be possible for it to continue to use Exchange AND the Domain Controller rolls on the same box?

If so, buy a set of server hardware, and if all you need is shares, Linux and Samba is a free, cheap, fairly easy file sharing system. Of course you can also buy a version of Server 2003 to run on there as well if you wanted to.

If not, I've never tried running Exchange seperate from SBS... Some people say you can do it but I'm not sure if it's really officially "supported".

That said, sounds like you want to go to a Standard domain. Getting away from SBS is a PITA, big time.
This is why anyone that forsees any growth, I'll forever encourage them to never go the SBS route and just go Standard to start with. It's truly a PITA.

Here's what I did breaking away from SBS in a nutshell:
1) I purchased the SBS Transition Pack. Basically what this does is converts your SBS box into a Standard version of Server. The end result is that the DC, DNS, DHCP, Exchange, File Sharing, etc roles are all "Standard" versions on the server. This then allows you to easily move them off.
2) I added a brand new Exchange 2007 box on the network. Exchange 2007 is really easy to get going, it'll detect your now-Standard version of Exchange 2003 and replicate over.
3) Then you remove the Exchange role from the old server.
4) Then you can move other roles elsewhere.

 

[k1pp3r]

Could it be possible for it to continue to use Exchange AND the Domain Controller rolls on the same box?

If so, buy a set of server hardware, and if all you need is shares, Linux and Samba is a free, cheap, fairly easy file sharing system. Of course you can also buy a version of Server 2003 to run on there as well if you wanted to.

If not, I've never tried running Exchange seperate from SBS... Some people say you can do it but I'm not sure if it's really officially "supported".

That said, sounds like you want to go to a Standard domain. Getting away from SBS is a PITA, big time.
This is why anyone that forsees any growth, I'll forever encourage them to never go the SBS route and just go Standard to start with. It's truly a PITA.

Here's what I did breaking away from SBS in a nutshell:
1) I purchased the SBS Transition Pack. Basically what this does is converts your SBS box into a Standard version of Server. The end result is that the DC, DNS, DHCP, Exchange, File Sharing, etc roles are all "Standard" versions on the server. This then allows you to easily move them off.
2) I added a brand new Exchange 2007 box on the network. Exchange 2007 is really easy to get going, it'll detect your now-Standard version of Exchange 2003 and replicate over.
3) Then you remove the Exchange role from the old server.
4) Then you can move other roles elsewhere.

According to my MS licenseing reps, you can no longer the the SBS 03 transition pack, period. They force the update to SBS08 which is a pain in the butt, for SBS03 you have to manually break away, i have don't it once and it was a pain.

For the OP, i would slap in another member server. Let the SBS03 box be DC, DNS, DHCP and Exchange. Move the file server and LOB server to new hardware.

Keep in mind that SBS03 must hold all 5 FSMO roles or it will encounter and SBCore shutdown after 7 days and every 2 hours there after.

If you are not close to the 75 user limit of sbs i wouldn't take the time to rip it out just yet.

 

[TechieSooner]

According to my MS licenseing reps, you can no longer the the SBS 03 transition pack, period. They force the update to SBS08 which is a pain in the butt, for SBS03 you have to manually break away, i have don't it once and it was a pain.

Well... You can find licenses online (Newegg). It's NBD... I mean, it gets everything standard which is the main thing. From there, it's easier to break it apart.

But SBS is a PITA- period- when you outgrow it.

For the OP, i would slap in another member server. Let the SBS03 box be DC, DNS, DHCP and Exchange. Move the file server and LOB server to new hardware.

Yea that was my first thought and suggestion as well. It depends on how outgrown they are, and if that'll work longer-term. It'd definately be easier to just move the file shares elsewhere. DEFINATELY.

 

[mattjw916]

+1 on SBS being bad news if you outgrow it... standalone versions are much easier to deal with and individually migrate as the business needs evolve...