Migration of SBS Server

Versions

I have worked with Small business Server since the days of BackOffice 4.0 and Windows NT, some of my Clients have run all versions of the product including the final version SBS 2011, hopefully none of you are still running  versions prior to SBS 2003 as this can be more difficult (but not impossible) to upgrade. Since the retirement announcement in 2012 I have migrated quite a number of SBS Installations large and small with various versions and particular Client requirements. Office 365 is my recommendation as a destination for your email and collaboration services.

The following lists the various versions of SBS current and historic

Version Release Date End of Extended Support Notes
BackOffice Small Business Server 4.0 October 1997 Effectively 10/01/2006 If you are running this version then there is no direct Migration path
BackOffice Small business Server 4.5 July 1999 Effectively 10/01/2006 As above
Small Business Server 2000 February 2001 Effectively July 2003 As above
Small Business Server 2003 and 2003 R2 October 2003/July 2006 Effectively 8/04/2014  Office 365 Tools/Migration Batches
Small Business Server 2008 August 2008 Effectively 11/04/2017 As above
Small Business Server 2011 Effectively December 2010/February 2011 Effectively 14/01/2020 As Above plus Remote Move

  • SBS 2011 Retirement FAQ

    1. In July 2012 Microsoft announce the retirement of SBS as a product and the final version is SBS 2011
    2. SMB versions were available up until June 30th 2013
    3. OEM versions were available for sale up to 31st December 2013
    4. Client Access licences (CAL's) will continue be available for purchase
    5. Even though SBS 2011 is now retired, the underlying technologies (Windows 2008 R2, Exchange 2010, sharePoint 3.0 are still supported!

  • SBS Migration Goals

    1. Migrate Email
    2. Move SharePoint (if you use it)
    3. Move users files
    4. Move Line of Business Applications
    5. Remove local Exchange Server from Client site
    6. Retain management of users environment

  • SBS Migration FAQ

    • Office 365 is an obvious choice to home your email and collaboration services
    • Migrating SBS is an "all or Nothing" proposition
    • Your current no of Users will dictate the licence required for your local Server
    • During the migration your old Server can co-exist with you new Server for a period, but you have a limited time allowed to move you LOB Applications, so some planning is required
    • If you plan to utilise SSO (single sign on) additional resources will be required

  • An SBS Migration Solution

    • Migrate Email to Office365
    • Move SharePoint to Office365
    • Install Windows 2012 R2 Essentials (< 25 Users) or Windows 2012 Standard (> 25 Users)
    • Move Line of Business Applications to new Server
    • Synchronise passwords or deploy ADFS to synchronise your AD
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