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As a rule, the components of the Windows Essential Business Server (EBS) solution cannot be separately downgraded, however Microsoft recognizes that line-of-business applications may experience compatibility issues moving from one version to the next. Alternative Versions are included in the EBS Premium Software for SQL 2005 and Windows Server 2008 x86. Although MS does not include Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard in the package as an alternative version, we are granting an exception to allow customers to use Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard in place of the 4th copy of Windows Server 2008 Standard, shipped as part of EBS 2008 Premium. This exception is being granted until December 31, 2009.
Note: Under this exception, the customers are restricted from running both the 4th copy of Windows Server 2008 Standard as well as Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard (which the customer has used as an alternative version to Windows Server 2008) at the same time simultaneously. Also, after December 31, 2009, customers are restricted from using Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard as an alternative version to the 4th copy of Windows Server 2008 Standard, shipped as part of EBS 2008 Premium. However, customers who have exercised the alternative version right before December 31, 2009 can continue to use either version of Windows Server, but not both at same time.
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Yes. Microsoft is charging for $20 USD plus tax and shipping & handling.
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Based on their license agreement, VL customers can obtain the software and product key from the Volume License Service Center (VLSC) Website.
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Yes, the right to downgrade to a prior version is the same for all sales channels; retail, OEM, Volume Licensing, and Solutions Pathway. The license terms of your current version of the software will apply to the downgraded earlier version of the software.
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The support lifecycle per Microsoft policy maps to the product version. For instance, if you downgrade to Windows Server 2003 R2, your Mainstream support will end July 13, 2010 and will transition into Extended Support at that time.
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No. Components of the Windows Essential Business Server solution cannot be separated. However Microsoft recognizes that Line of Business applications may experience compatibility issues moving from one version to the next, so for approximately one year from Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Release to Manufacturing (RTM) date, we will ship SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition (both 32- and 64-bit platforms) in addition to the SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition for the customer’s use in order to address these potential issues.
Note that once we stop shipping both versions of SQL Server, customers may not downgrade components of the Windows Essential Business Server solution and therefore are restricted from downgrading just the SQL Server component.
