freddy

Dear All.

There is currently no budget for upgrading to Server 2003, at least not in
the near future.

What I would like to know is can I take a few, (say 365 day) evaluation
versions and use them in my Enterprise as domain controllers and Exchange
Servers(obviously with a view to upgrading to the full version before the
trial expires)?

Thanks for your input... :-)

arek iskra [mvp]

I might be wrong here, but evaluation version is not meant to be run in a
production environment.

But answering your question, yes. Once you put the retail version CD into
drive, you can run an upgrade.

--
Arek Iskra
Microsoft MVP for Windows Server - Management

freddy

I just phoned Microsoft UK, told them I what I wanted to do and also asked
them if there are any issues with CALs etc running this software on my LAN.
They referred this question to the Windows Server team who confirmed I could
run the eval without paying anything and no limits on CALs for the grace
period.

If what they told me IS true, then this seems like a good move for companies
wanting to upgrade before they can clear the budget through.

I would be interested to hear your comments on this as why would running the
software in a 'production' environment be any different, it's still a Server
running their product....

olaf engelke [mvp]

Hi Freddy,


I would not consider such solutions.
As an example:
Imagine the situation that by some fault the date of the Bios returns to
whatever value outside of the Grace period.
Immediatly your server is blocked.
For testing and non important production components - ok, but if the company
life depends on the stability of the entire thing ... You know better your
situation anyway.
Best greetings from Germany
Olaf.

freddy

:-) Not very likely - I'd say there would be more chance of my server
crashing due to hard disk failure etc. Then I'd have to do a reinstall from
Backup anyway....

jimmy andersson [mvp]

I'm not sure, but is the eval fully supported if an issue would arise?

Regards,
/Jimmy
--
Jimmy Andersson, Q Advice AB
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
---------- http://www.qadvice.com ----------

nuo yan [ms mvp]

From MS adverti*****ts, I think there isn't any support for the eval
software.

So Freddy, consider this point. You'll have no support from MS if the eval
server failed.

--
Regards,

Nuo Yan
MCP, MCDBA, Charter MCDST, MCSA 2003, MCSE 2000,
Microsoft MVP - Windows

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.
Please respond to newsgroups only ...

thesingingcat

I would be willing to wager that if you called PSS for $200 a shot they'd be
more than happy to assist. Aside from that, what support actually exists?
(excluding this NG)

jupiter jones [mvp]

Freddy;
The time can get you.
Any changes to the clock forward or back are ***ulative and
irreversible.
You would want to check time remaining to verify you have the time
expected
Start/Run
Type "winver" ENTER
Even then it takes one event change the date once to run the time down
and then a Clean Install is the only fix.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/

a Server

freddy

I will test this out. Are you suggesting if the date is changed (even by a
day) the server is locked out?

Although I realise this is unsupported, I am still under the impression that
many people have used the Eval copy then after getting the system running
they want to keep their settings and simply run an upgrade to the full
version - In essence, this is what I want to do but on a larger scale ;-)