Chapter 5: Upgrading or Migrating to Windows Small Business Server 2003

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Upgrading to Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 preserves data and settings that might otherwise be lost performing a clean installation. So if you have an existing network with a server, upgrading is the best approach.

Choosing Between Upgrading and Migrating

First decide whether you want to upgrade an existing server or migrate to a new server. Upgrading an existing server is relatively easy and causes the least disruption to the network. It requires the least expense for hardware and consulting, even when you must upgrade the server hardware to reach an acceptable performance level.

Migrating to a new server is a complex process that requires a new domain (hosted by the new server) and moving all data and accounts. When you migrate, the new server is unencumbered by old programs, unused accounts, and incorrect settings. Combined with the opportunity to choose a more powerful server platform, migrating to a new server provides the highest level of performance and stability possible while preserving the existing network. Migration is also the only practical option when the current server is too slow or isn’t running Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2000, Windows 2000 Server, or Windows Server 2003. (If the server is not running one of these operating systems, you’d have to upgrade to one of them and then upgrade to Windows Small Business Server 2003. It’s very nearly as much work as migrating.)

Tip 

You can enhance the performance of a current server by upgrading the RAM to 1 GB or more, adding a SCSI-based RAID, and even upgrading the processor. You can also offload some tasks to another server on the network—file sharing, printer sharing, and hosting the SharePoint intranet site are several good candidates. However, the Windows Small Business Server 2003 computer must host Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Active Directory, and the Premium Technologies components (ISA Server 2000 and SQL Server 2000).

Planning 

You can back up the existing server and restore the software to a new server that shares the same motherboard chipset, number of processors, and mass storage controller. However, minuscule hardware differences often lead to large problems, and you should restore a backup set to a different server only when the original server can’t be repaired—not because you want to migrate to a faster server. For additional information, see Chapter 13, “Backing Up and Restoring Data,” and the Restrdoc.htm file on the Windows Small Business Server 2003 CD 1.

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