Windows 2011 or 2012

[evilsharky42]

Hi

We currently run windows server 2003. I want to upgrade to either 2011 or 2012 standard but not sure if there is a need based on price or features to go to 2012. Cost of course is an issue. We are a small business but over the 25 users for 2011 essentials. I would also need to upgrade exchange from 2003. What options should I go with.

Jason

 

[douglasb]

There is no possible way to answer this without knowing what you need it to do.

 

[evilsharky42]

Terminal server, sql, exchange, are the main ones we need. From what i have read 2011 comes with exchange but 2012 doesnt.

 

[wotan]

Do you work with an outside contractor on your IT needs -- what do they say?

 

[evilsharky42]

We don't. I've talked to cdw to try and narrow down what we need. The other big question is if we get 2011 and i guess you can downgrade that to 2003 which we have cals for can we buy cals a little at a time and then upgrade back to 2011 or can i use 2011 and just buy the cals 5 at a time till we are compliant?

 

[xSauronx]

We don't.

youre gonna want someone with experience to do this sort of migration. an outside IT firm should be able to look at your environment, quote what you need, develop a migration plan and perform the migration while handling any gotchas that come along during the process.

 

[Oyeve]

I am in the middle of something similar now. We have 5 Windows 2003 servers. One 2008 R2 server was recently installed that replaced our now dead 2003 exchange server. My only issue is our domain controller is also our SQL and print server. Fun times ahead.

 

[IamDavid]

2012 No doubt about it. Don't let everyone scare you about the migration.