A.
The components of the Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (EBS 2008) solution cannot be separately downgraded because they are an integrated suite. Microsoft recognizes that due to line-of-business application compatibility issues moving from one version to the next, some businesses may need to run the previous version of Windows Server. The fourth server in the Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Premium edition gives customers this flexibility. Alternative versions are included in the EBS 2008 Premium version of the software for SQL 2005 and Windows Server 2008 x86. Although Microsoft does not include Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard in the package as an alternative version, we allow customers to use Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard in place of the fourth copy of Windows Server 2008 Standard. Please visit the Windows Server Downgrade site for more information on how to obtain a Windows Server 2003 R2 downgrade kit. You will need your Windows Server 2008 product key to access the site.
Note: Under this exception, customers are restricted from running both versions of Windows Server 2008 Standard and Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard (which the customer has used as an alternative version to Windows Server 2008) at the same time simultaneously.
A.
Based on their license agreement, VL customers can obtain the software and product key from the Volume License Service Center (VLSC) Website.
A.
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.
A.
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.
A.
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 we will ship SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition (both 32- and 64-bit platforms) in addition to the SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition in every retail and OEM System Builder package of SBS 2008 Premium and allow the direct Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) channel to provide customers SQL Server 2005 (both 32-bit and 64-bit platforms) who request the older version until June 30, 2010.
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.
