Server Advice

Harpss1ngh · 13 Jul 2010 at 14:14

I provide support for a companyy of 10 users, currently running DC/Exchange (SBS 2003 SP2 & Exchange Server 2003) on a single server with a Synology 1010+ NAS for the file server. Server is a desktop machine with a core2duo e8500 with 4gb RAM and HP Hardware Raid Array.

I would like to upgrade the server to SBS Server 2008 R2 and Exchange 2010. The director has provided me with a desktop machine with an I7 920 with 6gb of RAM to use as the server has he is on a tight budget and unable to use a proper Xeon based server.

I would like to use the new server for DC and Exchange server roles and for the small number of users and their small mailboxes, I deem this to be sufficient for their needs.

1

How should I go about the server as I need to keep the existing server at full availability until I can deploy the new one?

2

How would I install SBS 2008 on the same domain alongside SBS 2003 and Exchange 2003 and 2010 without causing any disruption to the existing server before moving the mailboxes and AD and then decomissioning it?

Thanks for your help.

MasterPlan1 · 13 Jul 2010 at 14:37

You'd be surprised that most Xeons have a desktop counterpart, they're just enabled for SMP usage. But anyhoo, do side by side install moving stuff over, it's the safest way to do it.

J.B · 13 Jul 2010 at 15:22

Everytime I see someone using a workstation machine as a server I die a little inside, much the same as when I see a custom built machine being used.

Camoe · 13 Jul 2010 at 15:24

Rackable systems? If its Sub 20 users, this would be perfect? Can have Up to 16GB ram, 2 Prosessors.

madman045 · 13 Jul 2010 at 16:16

Are you wanting SBS 2008 or Server 2008 R2 and Exchange 2010?

SBS 2008 comes with Exchange 2007 integrated and should be better on the pocket if cost is a concern.

You might want to look into http://www.sbsmigration.com/ for migrating SBS 2003 to SBS 2008

Rob7865 · 13 Jul 2010 at 16:45

^ as Above - SBS 2008 comes in two flavours (Prem & Standard). I guess your not using or have need for SQL 2008 so Standard would be your best bet. SBS is not yet R2 and does not come with Exchange 2010 - its Exchange 2007.

There is a Microsoft Whitepaper on migrating from SBS 2003 - 2008 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=52b7ea63-78af-4a96-811e-284f5c1de13b&displaylang=en and this can be done live, with minimum downtime.

Your best bet would be to get a Dell or HP machine spec'd up and leave the Desktop PC that your boss gave you on the desk.

Rob

marin · 13 Jul 2010 at 20:00

If you need Exchange 2010 you will have to wait for SBS 7, there is no news yet on the release date.

Do not use a desktop machine as a Server, get a HP Server and at least 10Gb RAM and and install it using RAID.

MasterPlan1 · 13 Jul 2010 at 20:45

Harpss1ngh said:
I provide support for a companyy of 10 users

I seriously don't think he needs a xeon, nor anything that beefy. The i7 will even be overkill for 10 users.

Harpss1ngh · 14 Jul 2010 at 14:03

I can only use the i7 based machine I have been provided. I understand it should be migrated side by side. But I was under the impression that installing another exchange server on the domain would cause issues and stop the existing exchange server from pushing emails to users, etc. Also SBS2003 doesnt allow another DC based on SBS as far as I know. I've looked at the SBSmigration website which suggests replicating AD to the new server and then moving the mailboxes. But I know that its not going to be as simple as that without causing downtime.

I will be using the standard version of SBS 2008. Exchange 2007 is fine. Would you recommend I use Server 2008 R2 with exchange 2010 instead? I will be planning to upgrade to win7 and office 2010 at some point.

Sp00n · 14 Jul 2010 at 14:36

In answer to question 1 and 2, do a swing migration out of office hours, at least that's how I used to do it on 2003 sbs migrations.

#Chri5# · 14 Jul 2010 at 15:51

Download this.
Read it, then read it again.

As said above, do it out of business hours unless the users can accept downtime.

Harpss1ngh · 14 Jul 2010 at 17:07

Thanks for all your help everyone, I'll look into this.

#Chri5# said:
Download this.
Read it, then read it again.

As said above, do it out of business hours unless the users can accept downtime.

Does that include migrating from exchange 2003 to 2007 too?

iaind · 14 Jul 2010 at 17:08

Harpss1ngh said:
Does that include migrating from exchange 2003 to 2007 too?

It's a 700k word document, why not download it and find out?

malman · 14 Jul 2010 at 17:58

SBS 2008 from 2003 has a migration wizard that gets info from the 2003 machine and uses it to install the 2008 machine. It uses the same domain so no migration of account SIDS etc. It extends the time you can have both SBS servers active on the same network on the 2003 box to 21 days instead of 7 after the 21 days the 2003 box will shutdown every 2 hours if you keep turning it back on.

You can do most of the setup live and its actually required to be on the same network as the 2003 box. You then move the mailboxes and the data from one server to another (out of hours). All of the computer and user accounts are replicated automatically as 2008 is just another DC.

Its obviously a little more complicated than that but the guide posted above is step by step.

Harpss1ngh · 15 Jul 2010 at 13:57

Thanks for the guide, it looks easy enough lol.