Migrate from SBS2003 to Windows server 2008 std.

Windows Server 2008 Standard would be ok. Do you not plan to use Exchange in future. I assume your company is then on POP accounts or may be a Hosted Email Solution?

Make sure you do a System State Backup of your SBS Server in case anything goes wrong.

What you need to do if you plan to go with Windows Server 2008 is prepare the Schema for the integration of Windows Server 2008. You need to run Forest/Prep and then Domain/Prep and then join the new Server to the Domain and then promote the new Server to a Domain Controller running dcpromo. Once complete make this a Global Catalog Server and to perform DNS. You can add the DNS Role using Server Manager.

When you have this complete, you then need to tranfer the 5 FSMO Roles to the new Domain Controller. Refer to the link below and this will explain how to Transfer the Roles.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255504

I see there is a SBS 2011 to be released on May 1st.

I would assume this is my best option.

So I guess my question now is what is the procedure for a migration from sbs2003 to sbs2011?

Google apps is taking care of all email.

The other option is install the new Windows Server 2008 as Domain Controller in a new Forest and you can use the ADMT - Active Directory Migration Tool to move over the Users Accounts, Computer Accounts etc.

Windows Standard Edition will be more cost affective than SBS 2008 in terms of pricing for OS and CALs.

It really depends on your company's needs. Do you plan to use SQL Server and Exchange in the future? These are all things to consider.

SBS2003 provides all we need and more....what would be the most cost effective for 25 clients?

So if this server i currently have sbs 2003, is currently partly functional...as in I can start it.

Is there any way to copy user accounts, so that when I build a new server i can import it.

This current server doesnt stay up long and is off the network.

What you can do is, if you are going to install SBS 2008 - you can install this with a new Active Directory Domain Name and use the ADMT - Active Directory Migration Toolkit to migrate user account, computer accounts etc. Refer to the link below and this will explain how to do it.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/sbs/archive/2009/05/01/sbs-2003-to-sbs-2008-migration-to-a-different-domain-name.aspx

Also, you can join another SBS Server to your current Domain for Migration Purposes as oppose to creating a new Active Directory Domain. Please refer to the link below.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=52b7ea63-78af-4a96-811e-284f5c1de13b

Thanks!

Your welcome:)