SharePoint Upgrade Help Needed

Hi all,

I amhaving a single server implementation of SPS 2003 SP3, Sql
2000....everything in one box.

I am moving to new hardware, which will be a full fledge server farm
with web servers, application servers and sql servers all separated.

I do not want to use database migration technique, since ultimately it
would be an in place upgrade, and if some sites are not properly
upgraded, there is no going back...yea I understand that I will have
the original environment intact as a back up....but how would I deal
with a site which is not properly upgraded in the new environment,
given there is no going back option. (Am I right, wrong, there is a
work around, anything).

So, currently, I plan to run the gradual upgrade on my current single
server implementation. Once upgraded, I intend to move everything from
it to the new full fledge farm implementation. (Later, we will retire
this server). (Is this approach correct, incorrect, your suggestions)


Now can I do anything of the following and which is correct, best, or
anything that you suggest:


Backup the whole portal (on my single server implementation) and
restore it to the new farm. And Im done. New farm will have two web
servers, two app servers and sql cluster. The new farm is configured
independently of the old single server implementation. (I wonder if
this is even possible?)

OR, I should use attach/detach to move the sql server components to
new Sql cluster. And then move the web server components to new web
servers. And then configure the app servers. And all that is done
manually. (Am I actually talking about database migration technique
but doing it after the upgrade?)

Portal currently in use is not highly customized, may be a few
frontpage customizations. 500 to 800 users. No custom webparts. One
main level portal. 150 to 200 sites. 50+- subsites.


Please note that doing the gradual upgrade on the current server is
what I HAVE to do, officially.

Anything totally different that you wanna suggest is most welcome.

Best regards,
Rehman
.

Relevant Pages

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