SBS Migration to Standard

[adrianvasile]

I was wondering if someone has any experience with migrating from SBS server to Standard version. Basically, right now i have a SBS server that does everything: file server, DC, exchange, etc.
I would like to:
>> Migrate SBS to Standard using Transition Pack
>> Move exchange to a dedicated server
>> Have dedicated file server and additional DCs for backup
Any advice will be appreciated.
Thank you.
AV

 

[LWComputingMVP]

Before you do this, WHY are you doing this? Are you close to the 75 user limit?

Given your third point, I'm concerned you are under false impressions - specifically, SBS domains can have additional servers and they can have additional Domain Controllers with no issues. The Restriction is that you cannot move the FSMO roles off the SBS system.

If you are not close to the 75 user limit, then you can essentially make Exchange a nearly dedicated server by simply moving file server functionality off it. But frankly, file server functionality is not resource intensive - other than on the hard drives. Which you COULD add additional drives to a system.

-Lee

Those who ask why, learn

http://www.lwcomputing.com

 

[adrianvasile]

Thanks for your reply.
Basically, I want to do this so that I can have a better designed netowrk. Right now everything is dependent on my SBS server: files, DC and Exchange (even if I move it to a dedicated server). I already have a second server that acts as a second DC but will exchange work if the main SBS goes down? Will it switch to the backup DC?
It is an old box no Raid no nothing. I intend to have a dedicated box for everything.
If I move everything to 2003 it will be easier to backup and restore the domain.

 

[LWComputingMVP]

If the SBS goes down, Exchange is down to (remember, it's on SBS). Exchange cannot be moved off SBS without removing SBS. I would suggest adding a second hard drive to the SBS system and creating a software mirror (it's not ideal, but it's better than no RAID at all).

Then, I would wait a few months until SBS 2008 is released and migrate to that.

A better designed network is debatable - SBS was designed for the small business. If it's implemented correctly, there's no reason not to use it. And if it's not, at this point, I'd make do with good backups and upgrade to the new one when that is released. Otherwise, you'll be spending a lot of money you really don't have to.

-Lee

Those who ask why, learn

http://www.lwcomputing.com

 

[adrianvasile]

Lee thank you for the response.
That is the main reason I intend to ged rid of teh SBS. I would use the Transition Pack to make SBS a Standard version. Then I will demote that server and make the primary DC a better box. Then, I intend to move exchange to a different box, which should work since is not tied to SBS anymore.
What do you think?

 

[LWComputingMVP]

That should work... but again, I think you're just creating unnecessary work for yourself. Why not wait a few months (I should be sooner rather than later in the 2nd Half of 2008 that SBS 2008 is released) and migrate to that on new hardware. It will give you Exchange 2007 among other enhancements.

-Lee

Those who ask why, learn

http://www.lwcomputing.com

 

[adrianvasile]

SBS 08 sounds great but again I need redundancy. I cannot afford to have all my services dependend on box.

 

[LWComputingMVP]

What does your business do?

IF you want TRUE redundancy, it's going to cost you a lot. You'll need redundant Exchange servers running Server 2008 Enterprise (otherwise, exchange dies if the one server running it dies). You'll need redundant file servers and redundant DCs.

What I recommend is waiting for SBS 2008 and get a NEW server with appropriate RAID and 24x7 warranty with 4 hour service. (No server that has an important role in your business should have less than that kind of warranty). You've lasted this long with what you have... last a couple of more months (or, as I suggest, stick another drive in the old box and create a software mirror).

Now, if you're a stock broker and every minute down can cost your business 7 figures, then spend $50,000 on truly redundant systems. If not, this should be fine. And you can keep your second DC and make that a file server. So if the file server dies, you still have e-mail and if e-mail dies, you still have file services.

-Lee

Those who ask why, learn

http://www.lwcomputing.com

 

[adrianvasile]

I know what you mean and we are ready to spend the money. However, even if the main exchange box dies it will be way easier to restore just exchange and not the entire SBS box with the DC on it. And the new box will have Raid 5 and all that stuff and that should help a bit.
Do you have any experience with the Transition Pack?

 

[LWComputingMVP]

I would not recommend RAID 5. I've had too many failures on RAID 5s. Nowadays, I advocate RAID 1s. Just recently, I got a call from a new client who had their exchange box die on them with a failed RAID 5. And it wasn't even the disks that failed. Something caused things to go nuts and the RAID went offline and they couldn't get it back online. A mirror keeps everything solid on one drive mirrored. MUCH, MUCH easier to recover.

As for recovering Exchange on SBS, that's why you use backup software. If the built in backup is not going to cut it, there's ArcServe and BackupExec as well as Acronis.

And I've recovered failed SBS servers before with failed exchange databases... this was not terribly difficult in my opinion.

I've not had to use the Transition Pack as yet.

Again, right now, I think you're spending money for the sake of a very minor increase in reliability.

-Lee

Those who ask why, learn

http://www.lwcomputing.com

 

[adrianvasile]

You think so?
Then how would you recommned to setup my backup plan based on my current situation. As I said all my services are on the SBS box - no raid, 1 GB ram, exhange spread across 2 drives. I have a backup DC and use Acronis but so far I wasn't able to test Acronis to work ( I was trying to get Virtual machine ready).
If my SBS box crashes I am dead.
I have about 60 users and about 300 GB of data

 

[LWComputingMVP]

I want to be clear - I DO think you need to upgrade the systems... I just think that unless you are actually having (as opposed to worried about) problems right now, you should hold off until SBS 2008 is released.

Now, that said, I think you're probably a better candidate (with 60 users) to move to EBS instead. Essential Business Server does more of what you want as it includes licenses for 3 servers and breaks services up onto 3 systems. It's also designed to be used in environments from 25 to 300 users (though generally, people at the 50 user mark are the better starting point in my opinion). Here's some more information on EBS:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/ServerSolutions/businessserver.mspx

Further, EBS should be supported in virtual environments when the virtual environment is Hyper-V.

As for what to do in the interim, RAM is generally cheap - upgrade that. Max it out at 4 GB. And another hard drive and mirror everything you have. This protects you against single drive failure. Yes, it's a software mirror, but that is better than nothing and only has to last a few months.

You've already got another DC which is great... you can move your file sharing load onto that (though file sharing is not very resource intensive - except for the obvious disk resources. That leaves SBS handling AD and Exchange. Is there a risk? ABSOLUTELY. BUT with a mirror, that should be minimal and fairly easy to recover. Spend a weekend simulating an outage and a recovery - this will give you valuable experience for recovering things as well as comfort in knowing you have a plan that will work. And if you don't you can work on creating one that will.

-Lee

Those who ask why, learn

http://www.lwcomputing.com

 

[adrianvasile]

How good is software raid?

 

[LWComputingMVP]

The knock on software RAID is generally performance. But I'ved used it before and the performance hit is negligible. Otherwise, it's fine - especially when doing a mirror, that should be minor. With a mirror all that has to be done is data is written simultaneously to both drives. That should be a lot less resource intensive than using a software RAID 5 (which can't even be setup on a boot drive). I would image a system before converting the disks to dynamic (which is required for a software RAID), but once that's done, It should be fine - and again, only temporary - probably needing to last you AT MOST 6 months and I would expect closer to 4 or less.

-Lee

Those who ask why, learn

http://www.lwcomputing.com

 

[adrianvasile]

I will think about. Hey thank you for all your feedback.

 

[markdmac]

There are more things I think you should consider.

To answer your question, I HAVE used the transition pack and can tell you it is not worth the effort. You are better off buying new hardware and full licenses. Then create everything fresh and use ExMerge to move your mailbox data. The transition pack give nothing but heartburn and ulcers.

Second I want to reinforce what Lee was saying. You won't be gaining anything in the way of redundancy with Exchange unless you go with clustered hardware to allow for true failover. This tends to be so difficult to set up that the EBS team took it off the table for their solution.

There are many kinds of backups you can consider. My full time employer leases backup units to customers that are amazing. They take 15 minute snapshots of servers and have the ability to virtualize servers. So when it comes to redundancy, we offer customers the ability to have a server die and appear back online in about 20 minutes. Plus we archive data offline to two physically separate data centers (AZ and MD). Cool stuff!

If your whole desire to move is because the hardware of your SBS is old, then replace it with new and more robust hardware. We typically order new systems with RAID 1 for the OS and RAID 5 for the data partitions. And my company does hardware independent restores all the time which saves many hours of work. You should be able to find a Microsoft Certified Partner in your area that offers similar services.

If you want to minimize what your SBS server is doing, then move file and print off of it and take CompanyWeb off of it too.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.

 

[adrianvasile]

I'm starting to agree with you guys. How about the 75 users limits? How will I deal with that?
Thank you.
Adrian

 

[markdmac]

You will need to go away from SBS if you need to have more than 75 users. EBS is the best solution for you for that. That is a 3 server system. Server 1 is the management server and a DC. Server 2 is Exchange backend and a DC. Server 3 is security server running TMG (ISA 2008) and Front End Exchange services. Like SBS it offer RWW, so you would not be losing that great functionality.

EBS will allow you to UPGRADE your existing AD and move mailboxes etc. All without the pain of the transition pack.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.

 

[adrianvasile]

Thank you for your help Mark.

 

[58sniper]

Then I will demote that server and make the primary DC a better box

Not with Exchange on it you won't. You cannot promote or demote a server running Exchange.

no raid, 1 GB ram

There is a problem there. 1GB of RAM is not sufficient for SBS. I don't care what anyone says. And no RAID is just asking for trouble.

I'm a big fan of SBS, and a properly configured SBS box with a properly configured and working backup solution is extremely stable. You can add additional domain controllers to your SBS network.

I'd almost recommend getting a new, beefy server, and using

http://www.swingmigration.com/

to move SBS entirely over to it.

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Contributing author Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The Complete Reference