Will you be upgrading to server 2008 this summer?

[dhoward_westexetc]

Whilst Server 2008 certainly looks exciting and feature-packed we are not quite ready to move to it just yet.

 

We bought a new server with a new license, this was Server 2008 but we used the downgrade rights to install Server 2003, which we standardise on.

 

If there is one thing that will swing it for us with Server 2008, that is Hyper-V. We have two old servers, they do small roles and could easily be amalgamated between our existing servers using Hyper-V virtual machines (so long as we upgrade those physical servers to 16GB of RAM each!)

 

However, we won't be ready probably until next summer at the earliest to make the move, if we do it that is.

[ctbjs]

As we haven't rolled out Vista to the whole school yet. Tried a few but Group Policy was very intermittent/hit and miss with Vista. Will try and run W2k8 in a test environment for six months before unleashing it on the lovely little monsters....and the students!!!

 

We have 14 servers running 2k3 handsomely at present as well as one on xserve and three on linux...will revisit later in the year

Edited July 14, 2008 by ctbjs

[GoldenWonder]

I had intended to roll out a couple of server 2008 installations until I realised that I would have to buy all of the device CALs again. 500+ of them at £6 each makes it a very expensive exercise.

 

Typical MS! Now I'm staying with 2003 until a) they change the licensing to allow 2003 CALS or b) BSF pushes me out of a job anyway!

[petectid]

A few reasons, we have one or two machines with Vista so we would like to lock them down. We can cut down allot of ours scripts with the extra functionally of server 2008. Also a little experience with 2008 and we are having a few problems with a domain controller (wont contact the parent domain) so thinking of upgrading while it is being fixed.

 

Is this really a good reason to upgrade your domain?

[OverWorked]

We won't be, everything is running smoothly ...

 

We just don't feel a need for it.

 

Same here. Just no need to upgrade. Would be nice, but that's all. Couldn't justify the cost of software and CALs.

[TimTech]

A little too expensive and our EuDcational IT dept don't support 2008 yet:confused:

[skunk]

This year we will be mostly trying to move to Open Source solutions for the servers, where we can't, Win2k3 will suffice for now.

[cromertech]

I wanted to do the upgrade but i've been told that the cal licenses can't be transferred between server versions so now I'm going to wait till the licences expire which is october. I don't really want to do the upgrade at half term but I think it will be good to get it out of the way.

[dhoward_westexetc]

A few reasons, we have one or two machines with Vista so we would like to lock them down. We can cut down allot of ours scripts with the extra functionally of server 2008. Also a little experience with 2008 and we are having a few problems with a domain controller (wont contact the parent domain) so thinking of upgrading while it is being fixed.

 

You can take advantage of the functionality of Server 2008 in terms of cutting down on scripts by using the Remote Server Administration Toolset. You install it on Windows Vista SP1, and you get the new Group Policy Management Console, complete with Policy Preferences.

 

Works extremely well, at least until we can move to Server 2008 proper! We have such a Vista machine, and that is our Policy Management station. We have removed nearly all startup scripts as a result!