Installing Windows Small Business Server 2008

[Tridene Solutions]

Morning all,

I just wanted to talk to you about migrating from Windows Server 2003 (either SBS or Windows Server Standard with Exchange Server) and the alternative, installing a new windows domain.


First, a bit of background.

For small businesses, Microsoft provide a customised version of their server software which contains everything you need to get a corporate style system in place. As it is aimed specifically at small businesses, it is priced accordingly.

The SBS version of windows server contains the following core technologies:

Windows Server core
Microsoft Exchange Server
Windows Sharepoint Services
Remote Web Workplace
SQL Server (in SBS Premium edition)

The limitation of SBS is that you can only have a maximum of 75 users or devices.

Migrate or clean install?
There are a number of factors to consider when deciding which route to go down.

Do you have an existing server / windows domain?
How many users are there on the current system?
Do you have Exchange data to move?
Is Active Directory on the old system healthy?

If you only have a handful of users and a corrupt active directory, then it's worth considering either repairing AD and migrating or just creating a new domain and re-creating the user accounts.

Ideally, to successfully migrate, you would have an existing server running Active Directory which is in good condition with all services working properly.

The Clean Installation

If you want to do a clean install, then it's fairly straight forward as the SBS 2008 installation wizard takes care of most things for you. Despite appearances, this is not something for the inexperienced to try as there are numerous pitfals along the way. Always use a Microsoft Certified Engineer where possible.

The Migration

When migrating from SBS 2003, you can't do an in-place upgrade. You need to migrate to new hardware. This is because SBS 2008 is a 64-bit system as opposed to SBS 2003 which was all 32-bit.

You need to be aware that running two SBS severs on the same domain is not supported and you old server has to be decommissioned within 21 days of the new server going live. If you wish to re-use the hardware, then you need to format it and start again with windows server standard (not SBS).

Thing's to check on the old server are that AD is generating no errors in the logs, that there are no exchange connectors installed or AD connectors on the system.

Next you need to run the migration prep tool on the old server to make AD compatible with the new one.

Make sure Exchange server is service pack 2.

Then, create an answer file and put it on a USB memory stick. You can't access migration mode on the windows SBS 2008 install without it.

The installation will use the answer file you created to complete the installation and join the new server to your existing domain.

If the installation fails for any reason, and it still lets you proceed into the windows desktop, you MUST NOT complete the installation manually. This will not link up all the various SBS technologies and will cause problems later on. Microsoft advise that the only way around it is to fix the issue that stopped the installation completing successfully and reinstall the new server.

The main issue appears to be with the exchange server component installation. You can install exchange off the CD if it fails the normal install process, however, it will then ask for a product key for exchange (which you don't have, all you have is the SBS product key which isn't the same thing!).

If this happens, then Microsoft won't support you until you've reinstalled. By rights, they should have a fix for this but they're dragging their heels about it, so best to get it right first time, even if it means some serious work preparing your old server.

Once you have it all installed and working, you should complete the list of tasks in the SBS console in order to make the most of your new system.

You will also need a SSL certificate to allow secure use of the remote web workplace. This allows you to access your PC's through the internet and also webmail access.

As the migration can been a real headache, I'd again recommend that you use a Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist to do the work.

Hope this helps,

Rich