Question : "Upgrade" server from 2008 SBS to 2008 Standard????

OK. I guess this is an odd thing to want to do. I might be the first, but I hope not!  :)

Last month I deployed a new server, and given the available disks for either 2008 SBS or 2008 Standard and Exchange 2007, I took the "easy" option and went for SBS for an "all in one" install. A month on and the server is running fine, but I feel that the addition of Sharepoint which we are not using is a waste of resources and disk space, and adds complexity to what should be a simple server.

With hindisight I'd have preferred a simple 2008 and Exchane 2007 install, but I'm reluctant to start again as the server is in and running, AD is fine, mailboxes moved in and working, and countless AV and backup apps installed and running.

As I have the disks and licenses for the other products, is there any "upgrade" path that will allow me to simply move to the Standard editions and lose Sharepoint? The only thing I can think of is to set up a 2nd server, install 2008 and Exchange on that, add it to the domain as a DC to copy the AD over, move the mailboxes over, reinstall the first server again without SBS, and then move the AD and mailboxes back. It sounds a bit of hassle to "remove" Sharepoint.

Is there any other way? Thanks in advance!

Answer : "Upgrade" server from 2008 SBS to 2008 Standard????

You cannot upgrade, you would need to transition to new hardware.

You will also find the licensing costs for windows 2008 and Exchange 2007 are exceptionally high compared to that of SBS

Sharepoint is a feature of SBS but if you don't use it it will not use much resource.

The way you would have to do it is:

> Install a second Domain Controller to your existing SBS network
> Install Exchange 2007
> Migrate Mailboxes/OAB/Public folder to your new server.
> Uninstall Exchange from SBS
> DCPROMO SBS to remove it from the domain.

You would then have to do the same again to move it back to your server.

There is little point in doing this if you already have SBS in place.