Server 2008r2 Domain vs 2003r2 ?

[wlee]

We just bought 2 new Server 2008R2 boxes. I'm going to be setting up a new domain on a separate subnet. 1 box will be an RDS server. Initially it will only serve up a single remote app. ( I might add full desktop users later ) There will be no RD Connection Broker or roaming profiles either. The other will only run PeachTree Accounting for 5 users. All the client stations are currently WinXP-SP3 with a single XP64 box , and 2 Macs ( not required that they join domain ) The only spare box I have is 2003R2. They don't want to spend the $$$ for another 2008R2 license. ( we don't have Open License and SA ) What limitations am I facing if I use the 2003 box as a dedicated root dc, vs using one of the 2008 boxes ? I don't like the idea of having to run programs on a DC, but I'm worried I may paint myself into a corner with 2003 forest level.
Any new machines we buy will have Win7 x64. and I will not downgrade them to XP.

 

[dphantom]

You will lose the functionaility included with a Windows 2008R2 forest and domain. If you don't need the new stuff, then you won't see any limitations. But 2008 includes power saving functionality and a whole lot more support for Windows Vista/7 clients and servers.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/whats-new.aspx

 

[snikt]

Is there a reason why you can't make the 2003 box the app. server?

 

[wlee]

Well, I *COULD* functionally use the 2003r2 box for the Peachtree app, but I was only able to squeek in the extra server purchase by telling the powers that be ( finance ) that their old Win2K server was end of life and the new ver of THEIR software no longer supported it ( true ). If I were to pull of a swap, it would put any future purchases I want/need at risk.

What I am doing with this new network is splitting off the users that don't need to use the legacy vintage 1990 DOS based junk. Some of these users are getting fresh WinXP Images on their machines, so this will be a "fresh start". We need to continue to use this ANCIENT DOS SW, so I'm abandoning that network and all the old Win98 and Win2K machines on it.( DOS stuff uses hardware heys and will not run on anything later that 98SE )
There are only a few things that need to be shared between both networks. That data will live on a multi-homed LINUX box. There will be NO routing between the 2 subnets.

I guess the bottom line of this story is "No Money, No Honey". So, I'm trying to make the best of what I have to work with.

 

[RebateMonger]

It may be too late now (you can't buy it separately), but Windows Server Foundation 2008 R2 is a cheap (15 license OS for $250) option on lower-end Dell and other brand-name servers. I'm setting one up to run the latest Peachtree for a small office. Peachtree, supposedly, supports the 64-bit-only Server 2008 R2. I got a complete Dell server with two sets of RAID1 arrays AND the OS for less than $1000.

There are limitations, but if you are setting up a separate small domain with less than 15 Users, you might find you can live with them.

 

[Emulex]

just run both servers in 2003 functionality of AD and you should be good to go man. i'm not sure what software requires 2008 functionality AD only - that wouldn't sell too hot since there are so many 2003 machines still in service today.