This is my situation (in a nut shell). Last year, I took a position in a small office (about 50 computers and less than 75 users). It was a mess to say the least. There were 2 work groups, but no domain. One server was Win2k Server, the other was 2003 Server and the FTP and backup server were running Novell. I finally combined both work groups and set up the DC on the 2003 Server system, joined the 2nd Win2k Server, put the FTP server on a Win2k computer and am running backups on a WinXP Pro with USB backups for all the data. (can you tell I’m in a financially challenged situation?)
For the client computers, we had 4 that were on Win98, 4 that were on XP home, 31 on Win2k Pro and 9 on XP Pro. Win98 and XP Home and about ? of Win2k systems have been upgraded/ replaced w/ XP Pro. (please note no Vista!!) I intend to upgrade at least 10 more to XP Pro in the near future.
My dilemma ? The FTP server is on it?s way out so I managed to get a new server (much to the chagrin of the bored of directors) and am going to make it the PDC with the 2003 Server system as secondary. The Win2k Server will be the FTP server. We have 2 main departments – 1 department on each server for load balancing.
– I?m looking at the cost difference between 2003 Server R2 and SBS server. What are the pros and cons of each? I think the SBS has a limitation of 75 CALS, but that?s not an issue.
– Should I upgrade the 2003 Server to R2? It’s working fine now but are there any pros and cons to upgrading?
– I down loaded 6 month trial versions of 2003 Server R2 and SBS. If installed, can either be upgraded to permanent version when I buy the software? I think I read or heard that the trial o/s had to be uninstalled, then the new o/s could be installed permanently.
Any thoughts?
I think I have a plan in place, just from reading other forums, but I’d still appreciate input from those who have been in similar situations. You just gotta love these forums.
Thanks again.