#Windows server 2008 r2 sp2 for sbs 2011 how to
#Windows server 2008 r2 sp2 for sbs 2011 install
#Windows server 2008 r2 sp2 for sbs 2011 upgrade
#Windows server 2008 r2 sp2 for sbs 2011 full

Not so much a problem in my experience going from 2008 R2 based systems to other 2008 R2 based systems, I HAVE seen repeated issues where the new DC doesn't properly start replicating with the old and you need to reset the BurFlags Registry entry. DO NOT TRANSFER THE FSMO ROLES YET! Instead, Run another DCDIAG check to make sure everything is working well. Once AD is healthy, add the new domain controller by joining the system to the domain and running DCPROMO.ДO Make sure upon completion that the DC is working properly and is also a GC (Global Catalog). Fix anything you cannot explain and verify is normal. What you should be doing is a DCDIAG /C /E /V on the server to ensure AD is healthy.

#Windows server 2008 r2 sp2 for sbs 2011 upgrade

(Exchange 2013 isn't due out for a while yet, so either get the CALs with Software Assurance (SA) so you can upgrade at no additional charge (SA costs about 50% more than non-SA versions and is in many ways a 'prepaid' upgrade license since upgrades are largely no longer sold by Microsoft)ДЇorget about checking the Forest Functional levels - if you're installing 2008 R2 or 2012 it's just not important. CALs are backward compatible (downgrade rights permit them to grant access to prior versions of server, so even if you don't move to 2012 right away, you can get the CALs right away to be legal and ensure you don't have to buy them over again. Because of this, and the timing of your migration, I would wait if you could until the 2012 CALs are released (They may already be released - Server 2012 is RTM and should be available via volume license (meaning the CALs should be as well) within a month or so). Both Exchange and Windows will require ALL NEW CALs. You need to buy a copy (or more) of 2008 R2 Standard and if you use Exchange 2010, you'll need a copy of that as well in order to migrate away from SBS (or wait a month or so and get the license for 2012).

#Windows server 2008 r2 sp2 for sbs 2011 full

I agree, a FULL backup of the SBS server (ANY system) before a major change should be considered MANDATORY.

#Windows server 2008 r2 sp2 for sbs 2011 how to

I would also encourage anyone who has NOT ever done this to NOT try to offer advice on how to do it. There is no downgrade path or transition path. You cannot 'Downgrade' or 'Upgrade' SBS to Standard. Seriously, he's a good guy to know, and would really appreciate this.

Contact HopelessN00b and offer him a cut of what you get paid for this job.

Raise the Functional Level of your domain and forest.

You should never have only one Domain Controller, and always have at least 2. Follow steps 1 through 4 above to make it a Domain Controller.

#Windows server 2008 r2 sp2 for sbs 2011 install

Install the same version of Windows you just got done installing.

Format the disk on the server that had SBS 2011.

Optional, but additional advisable steps: (Again, I'd link to this or explain how, but I have no freaking clue.)

Sixth, demote your SBS Domain Controller.

Transfer all the FSMO roles to your new Domain Controller.

Use DCPromo to make it a Domain Controller, making sure it's a Global Catalog.

If you plan on installing Server 2008 R2, you can even skip step 1.

Get a second server and install a version of Windows that is at least the same as the lowest Functional Level.

I'd link how to do this, but I have no freaking idea how to check your Functional Levels on an SBS server. There's no 2011 Functional Level, so you're not actually migrating/downgrading the domain. By default, SBS 2011 creates and uses a 2003 Domain and Forest Functional Level.

Check the Forest and Domain Functional Levels.

Always a good idea, just saying it explicitly.) (Before following the below instructions, it's a good idea to make sure you have a current backup of the Domain Controller. Just don't try to do it directly.Д«asically, you want to add a second Domain Controller to the domain, and then get rid of the SBS server as a Domain Controller. So, don't try that.Д«ut, what your customer wants can be done. Well, I would absolutely not attempt to migrate an SBS 2011 to Server 2008, even if it wasn't a Domain Controller.