We're already on Datacenter so licensing isn't an issue. Based on past experience I'm with you on it, but it's always worth a sanity check as if enough people tell me I'm living in the past and it's a non-issue these days, I'll listen.
________________________________ From: Jonathan Link [jonathan.l...@gmail.com] Sent: 04 October 2011 8:07 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Upgrading Windows in-place - your experiences? Since it's ridiculously easy to stand up a server I see no reason to do an inplace upgrade ever[1]. Assuming your licensing is in shape, stand up a new VM, get it ready, transition services, and then decommission the old VM. [1] Licensing is the issue in this matter, if you're out of licenses standing up a VM may not be possible. Another point in favor of Datacenter Edition. 2011/10/4 Paul Hutchings <paul.hutchi...@mira.co.uk<mailto:paul.hutchi...@mira.co.uk>> I haven't upgraded a Windows Server install for years now as typically with physical boxes the box gets replaced after a three year period so the OS is rebuilt/refreshed. Virtualisation has changed that somewhat as we now have VM's with a potentially infinite "physical" life, and as a result I have quite a few that are still running Windows 2003. I may rebuild them all with 2008 R2 which also solves the fact that right now they're 32bit, but what are peoples experiences of upgrading Windows in-place? As I said I've not had to do so for years now so I'm out of touch with how good/bad of an experience it is these days? The one potentially nice thing is that other than any third-party apps, the VM's are about as clean as you can get, no HP PSP or suchlike to have to deal with. I should add we're talking small role-specific VM's here, nothing crazy like Exchange. Thanks, Paul ________________________________ MIRA Ltd Watling Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV10 0TU, England Registered in England and Wales No. 402570 VAT Registration GB 100 1464 84 The contents of this e-mail are confidential and are solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you receive this e-mail in error, please delete it and notify us either by e-mail, telephone or fax. You should not copy, forward or otherwise disclose the content of the e-mail as this is prohibited. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to listmana...@lyris.sunbeltsoftware.com<mailto:listmana...@lyris.sunbeltsoftware.com> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to listmana...@lyris.sunbeltsoftware.com<mailto:listmana...@lyris.sunbeltsoftware.com> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to listmana...@lyris.sunbeltsoftware.com with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin