Small Business Server 2008 downgrade rights questions and answers

re: Small Business Server 2008 downgrade rights questions and answers

marcel30el@kccqatar.com — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:36:10 GMT

I have a sbs 2003 stand server as my DC with 10 user CALS. I need to upgrade it to 50 user CALS.

what is the upgrade, is it a software or addon pack on media or just product key ?

re: Small Business Server 2008 downgrade rights questions and answers

David Overton — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:20:47 GMT

@Dubey,

call Microsoft support - they should be able to help with this.

Thanks

David

re: Small Business Server 2008 downgrade rights questions and answers

Dubey — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:33:54 GMT

I just ought add-on CALs for our SBS 2003 R2 but was referred to eopen website to get my licencse keys.

When I opened the license keys I saw that the keys were for server 2008. How can I use these keys on my SBS 2003 server?

re: Small Business Server 2008 downgrade rights questions and answers

Jens — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:25:28 GMT

Thanks for the short license overview.

re: Small Business Server 2008 downgrade rights questions and answers

Stephen — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:31:21 GMT

Hi David,

I think I am going to have to chance this one. Since I can't upgrade to SBS 2003 any more, my ONLY option is to go with SBS 2008 Solutions Pathway and somehow muddle through. I just can't justify an extra £3k to go with the VL Option. :o

Thanks again,

Stephen

re: Small Business Server 2008 downgrade rights questions and answers

David Overton — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:02:25 GMT

Stephen,

I'm awaiting a response, I hope to be able to update in a day or two.

Thanks

David

re: Small Business Server 2008 downgrade rights questions and answers

Stephen Holder — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:57:27 GMT

Oh, Hi David.

It will be RETAIL.

I was going to use the "Solutions Pathway" migration that would allow us to upgrade from SBS 2000 Retail to SBS 2008 Retail. It looks perfect for us, because we can get upgrade credit for the licenses we already own.

However, microsoft uk licensing told me that they would NOT provide me with media & license keys to use SBS 2003. They only do this for volume licenses.

The notes you reproduced above are the same ones that I saw on the microsoft web site. They state that this restriction only applies to the OEM version - and NOT the retail version.

I hope I explained this ok, Thanks for your time.

Stephen

re: Small Business Server 2008 downgrade rights questions and answers

David Overton — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:23:53 GMT

Stephen,

I've raised this internally and will get back to you via these comments once I know what is happening. Is your SBS 2008 media OEM, Retail or volume license based?

thanks

David

re: Small Business Server 2008 downgrade rights questions and answers

Stephen Holder — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:53:24 GMT

Hi,

I just spoke to Microsoft Licensing because I am in the process of upgrading to 2008 (from my FULL RETAIL version of SBS 2000), but they told me that they would not be able to provide me with SBS 2003 media and product key. I have to somehow source my own media & key. This contradicts the microsoft web site (and your notes above).

Thanks,

Stephen