Server 2003 R2 licencing question

[JoyPadJedi]

Is this actually a complete new build? If you are currently licenced for Server 2003, would it be legal to use an R2 media kit on a new (replacement) server with the existing licence?

I'm asking because a client of ours is getting new servers and is currently fully licenced for Server 2003.

I think SBS 2003 R2 has different CALs and is treated as a different product, but I'm unsure about plain old Server 2003.

Ta!

 

[McMuffin]

I'm lead to believe its a different product.

 

[bitslice]

yep, new product:

"R2 will simply replace existing Windows Server 2003 SKUs when it's released and will therefore be the same price as Windows Server 2003."



but you can reuse 2003 CALs

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensingr2/overview.mspx
"Windows Server 2003 CALs and External Connectors may access Windows Server 2003 R2 Editions"

.

 

[JoyPadJedi]

Many thanks!

 

[Burnsy2023]

yep, new product:

"R2 will simply replace existing Windows Server 2003 SKUs when it's released and will therefore be the same price as Windows Server 2003."



but you can reuse 2003 CALs

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensingr2/overview.mspx
"Windows Server 2003 CALs and External Connectors may access Windows Server 2003 R2 Editions"

.

I'd just like to confirm this is the case.

Burnsy

 

[JoyPadJedi]

Essentially then, you have to re-licence for R2 (for the server itself), but you can reuse R1 CALs?

If you already have Server 2003, can you just load the R2 technologies disc FOC like a service pack? I'm guessing not...

EDIT -- Ignore me - the answer is NOT Cheers for the help.

 

[bitslice]

I'd just like to confirm this is the case.

heh, I was hoping you would...

If you already have Server 2003, can you just load the R2 technologies disc FOC like a service pack? I'm guessing not...

EDIT -- Ignore me - the answer is NOT Cheers for the help.

I believe you can ?
have a look at this:

How to upgrade Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 to Windows Server 2003 R2

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/912309


(edit: read follow up posts below, you need a licence)
.

 

[Burnsy2023]

I believe you can ?
have a look at this:

How to upgrade Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 to Windows Server 2003 R2

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/912309


.

You require both a Licence and product key as well as the media to do this.

Burnsy

 

[bitslice]

^^
darn, I missed the "FOC" bit in his post...


I thought he meant :

"is it do-able" as an in-place upgrade, having first bought the licence

 

[stockhausen]

I haven't installed SBS for years. Can anyone tell me whether it now depends on the same sort of WPA policy as XP & Vista?

Specifically, what I want to know is whether I can build a small server, install SBS 2003, get the server tuned and working reliably (e.g. for 14 days) and then license the software or whether I have to license the software as soon as I have installed it?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[Burnsy2023]

I haven't installed SBS for years. Can anyone tell me whether it now depends on the same sort of WPA policy as XP & Vista?

Yes it has the same activation proceedure.

Specifically, what I want to know is whether I can build a small server, install SBS 2003, get the server tuned and working reliably (e.g. for 14 days) and then license the software or whether I have to license the software as soon as I have installed it?


Thanks in advance for any feedback.

You have a months grace period for activation, but this is not to say that you can't run it unlicenced. You must buy a licence before installling the software. Legally speaking.

Burnsy