SBS 2003 Premium SP1 - Upgrade to R2

[roadsweeper]

Hi

I purchased a retail box version of SBS Premium in August 2006. There was no software assurance with it and it was not an OEM version.

We are now considering upgrading to SBS 2003 Premium R2, but apart from being fairly sure it isn't a free upgrade, I can't find much other information on what the upgrade path and associated costs are. Can anyone help?

Cheers,

roadie.

[roadsweeper]

Anyone?

[.Flyer]

The MS part number you need is: T75-01256 (Win SBS Prem 2003 R2 English VUP CD/DVD 5 Clt). Microsoft priced that at $699, which, bizzarely, is the same price as the version upgrade from Standard to Premium. Scan are selling this for £408.50+VAT, although they are out of stock (might be a special order). Dabs are selling it for £471.99+VAT which seems to be more indicative of the UK price.

R2 has some nice features, and as a new install is killer value. Not so sure the upgrade is such good value though...

[BliarOut]

What's new in R2 generally?

[.Flyer]

BTW: have a look at this Microsoft link for more info. Cheers.

[.Flyer]

BliarOut said:

What's new in R2 generally?

MS said:

. Automated, network-wide patch and update management for products that are supported by Microsoft Update, by using Windows SBS 2003 R2 Update Services.

. Increased storage limits for the Exchange Server 2003 Standard Edition mailbox store. Administrators of Windows SBS now can increase the mailbox store size from the previous limit of 16 gigabytes (GB) to the new limit of 75 GB in Exchange Server 2003 with Service Pack 2 (SP2).

. Inclusion of SQL Server™ 2005 Workgroup Edition technology in Windows SBS 2003 R2 Premium Edition.

. Expanded rights for client access licenses (CALs), including access to additional servers running Exchange Server 2003 and SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition in the Windows SBS 2003 R2 network.

Update Services is really great, and the software health monitor is useful. SQL Server 2005, some good new features (love working with Management Studio).

The next update ( "Cougar" ), due this year, looks interesting, although will necessitate a lot of new servers (64-bit only).



edit: to correct formatting

Edited by .Flyer on Tuesday 27th February 10:35

[roadsweeper]

Thanks to all, particularly .Flyer, the information provided gave me an excellent start on putting together a document on this.

Thanks again,

roadie.