Migrate Windows Small Business Server 2008 to Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard

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Published: January 28, 2011

Updated: May 5, 2011

Applies To: Windows SBS 2008, Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard

This guide describes how to migrate an existing Windows® Small Business Server 2008 domain to Windows SBS 2011 Standard and then to migrate the settings and data. This guide also describes how to remove your existing server from the Windows SBS 2011 Standard network after you finish the migration.

Important

To avoid problems while migrating your existing server to Windows SBS 2011 Standard, we recommend that you read this document before beginning the migration.

Additional resources

For links to additional information, tools, and community resources to help guide you through the migration process, visit the Windows Small Business Server Migration website.

Terms and definitions

Source Server: The existing server from which you are migrating your settings and data.

Destination Server: The new server to which you are migrating your settings and data.

If the Windows SBS 2011 Standard network to which you are migrating will contain more than one server, the following terms are used to distinguish the servers:

Primary Server: The first server on a Windows SBS 2011 Standard network that contains more than one server.

Second Server: The second server on a Windows SBS 2011 Standard network. The Second Server runs the Windows SBS 2011 Premium Add-on.

Migration process summary

This Migration Guide includes the following steps:

  1. Prepare your Source Server for Windows SBS 2011 Standard migration.

    You must ensure that your Source Server and network are ready for migration. This section guides you through backing up the Source Server, evaluating the Source Server system health, installing the most recent service packs and fixes, and verifying the network configuration. You must also run the Migration Preparation Tool on the Source Server, which updates the Active Directory® Domain Services schema, installs an update that extends the time limit for the migration, and configures Exchange Server to support migration.

  2. Create a migration answer file for Windows SBS 2011 Standard migration.

    An answer file is used by Windows SBS 2011 Standard Setup to automate the installation and run Setup in migration mode. This section introduces you to the migration answer file and guides you through using the Answer File Tool to create the migration answer file.

  3. Install Windows SBS 2011 Standard in migration mode.

    This section explains how to use the migration answer file to install Windows SBS 2011 Standard on the Destination Server in migration mode.

  4. Move settings and data to the Destination Server for Windows SBS 2011 Standard migration.

    The Migration Wizard helps you migrate settings and data from the Source Server to Windows SBS 2011 Standard. This section explains how to use the Migration Wizard and provides information about the settings and data that you can migrate.

  5. Migrate the internal website for Windows SBS 2011 Standard migration.

    This section describes the procedures in the Migration Wizard that are necessary to move the internal website and content database to the Destination Server.

  6. Move fax data for Windows SBS 2011 Standard migration.

    Install and configure the Fax service on the Destination Server and then use the Migration Wizard to migrate fax data.

  7. Migrate Windows Server Update Services data and settings for Windows SBS 2011 Standard migration.

    Export software updates and metadata from the Source Server, and then import them to the Destination Server.

  8. Re-apply user roles for migrated accounts.

    Perform the steps in this section to ensure that all migrated user accounts are assigned the correct group membership settings.

  9. Move Terminal Services Licensing for Windows SBS 2011 Standard migration.

    If the Source Server is running the Terminal Services Licensing service, you must migrate the service before you decommission the Source Server.

  10. Finish Windows SBS 2011 Standard migration.

    Complete the tasks in the Migration Wizard before continuing the migration process.

  11. Demote and remove the Source Server from the network.

    This section describes the process for demoting and removing the Source Server from the network, as well as other necessary configuration tasks.

  12. Optional post-migration tasks.

    After you finish migrating all settings and data to Windows SBS 2011 Standard, you may want to map permitted computers to user accounts, enable folder redirection, configure POP3 connectors, or update mailbox quotas on your new server.

  13. Run the Windows Server Solutions Best Practices Analyzer

    After you finish migrating settings and data to Windows SBS 2011 Standard, download and run the Windows® Server Solutions Best Practices Analyzer.