New server - 2003 or upgrade to 2008 ??

[Michael]

Although Vista's and 2008's driver database is much more comprehensive than XP's and 2003's, the same driver rules that apply to Vista also apply to 2008. A lot still need to be re-written.

 

I don't think Microsoft's tactic including the keywords "SP1" in Windows Server 2008 will wash. I'm still going to wait 12 months until I know for sure it is up to the job. Although I value everyone's opinion on here, migrating to a newer server platform does need a lot of planning and testing too.

[dhoward_westexetc]

We have just had delivery of a new server that will be our new Exchange 2007 server. Although we could have put Windows server 2008 (as we bought a new 2008 license with 2003 downgrade rights) we put 2003 R2 x64 on it to save on CALs. We can still put 2008 server on if we want to on that server without an extra cost.

 

If you are already mostly 2003, then it is perhaps best to put 2003 R2 on a new server (and buy a new 2008 license and use the downgrade rights). You can then install 2008 when you decide to migrate all servers over to it, which makes the CALs purchase worthwhile.

[dave.81]

I'm looking at redoing 3 out of our 5 servers this summer and at present the plan is to stick 2008 on them and upgrade the other windows server from 2003 R2.

 

We will have some Vista machines going onto the network so might as well have the latest server version to control them.