The Plan For Upgrading Windows OSes

Should Your SME Move To Server 2008 & Vista Simultaneously?

Article from www.processor.com

Published April 4, 2008

Many small to midsized enterprises are trying to determine the right time, if any, for their companies to upgrade to Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008. Experts say business reasons should drive the upgrades rather than an SME’s desire for the next big thing.

As expected, Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) says enterprises should upgrade now. “Absolutely, now is a great time to upgrade to both Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista SP1,” says Eric Rezabek, Microsoft product manager for Windows Server 2008. "Organizations using Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista SP1 together will see improved manageability and security through the integration of Group Policy management tools, built-in Network Access Protection (NAP) for policy enforcement and system health assessments, as well as more integrated system architecture and system-wide performance improvements and more efficient planning and deployment,” he notes. “With Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista SP1, organizations will be able to leverage common tools and minimize duplicated tasks, using products such as the Microsoft Assessment Planning Tool.”

Michael Van Cleve, a technology specialist with CDW, agrees with Rezabek that now is a good time to upgrade. He cites Vista's SP1 security enhancements, improved driver support, and virtualization as drivers you need to consider for the upgrade. In fact, a recent CDW survey did find some connection between Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 upgrades, with 34% of the survey respondents linking plans for Vista SP1 and Server 2008 upgrades.

“In order to experience the more integrated system architecture and system-wide performance improvements, organizations should upgrade to both Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista SP1,” Rezabek says. “Also, as these two Windows operating systems share a base of code, the core is similar, and engineering teams for the products were able to share best practices, making for reliable and secure operating systems,” he says.

Doug Miller, a technology specialist with CDW, cites the improved driver compatibility and security as reasons why SMEs should make the upgrade to Windows Vista SP1.

Making The Upgrades

So the question is: Should you upgrade to Server 2008 and Vista SP1 simultaneously? Most experts advise against it.

“The upgrades to Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 shouldn’t take place at the same time,” Van Cleve says. He points to the longer timeline and needed resources to upgrade to Vista SP1 as reasons not to perform both upgrades at once.

Bob Gaines, technical marketing manager for Redwood Shores, Calif.,-based All Covered (www.allcovered.com), agrees with Van Cleve; it’s wise not to perform the upgrades simultaneously. Instead, Gaines advises upgrading to Windows Server 2008 first because the server operating system includes new administrative and monitoring features that can aid in moving your SME’s desktops to Windows Vista SP1. Upgrading to Windows Server 2008 first enables you to have the management tools in place to ensure a successful Windows Vista SP1 upgrade across your SME’s desktops.

It takes longer to upgrade a workstation or laptop to Windows Vista SP1 than upgrading a server to Windows Server 2008. You need to consider qualifying your internally developed applications against Windows Vista and its Microsoft Internet Explorer browser.

Upgrade Best Practices

Making the upgrades to Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 is more than just sticking in a DVD and walking through the installation wizard. Upgrading both operating systems requires planning and evaluation.

“Microsoft offers many resources to help customers with the upgrade process. The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Solution Accelerator is an integrated platform with tools and guidance that make it easier for you to assess your current IT infrastructure and determine the right Microsoft technologies for your IT needs,” says Rezabek. "It offers easy inventory, powerful assessment, and actionable recommendations for Windows Server 2008, Windows Server Hyper-V, Terminal Services, Soft-Grid, System Center Virtual Machine Manager, Windows Vista, and 2007 Microsoft Office. The popular Windows Vista Hardware Assessment readiness tool will be integrated into this platform, as well.”

Hardware requirements for Vista SP1 are a known source of fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Miller and Van Cleve advise scaling down on the hardware-intensive user interface items for the benefits of Vista SP1’s improved security.

If your SME has the business case to upgrade to Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008, you need to approach the upgrades methodically by developing a project plan, risk assessment, and rollback plan to ensure a successful upgrade path and business continuity for your SME.