OK:

I have been offered the task of upgrading a small network; less than 300 nodes. to 2003 AD.

Two DC's an exchange 2000 server, 2000 / xp workstations.

Now usually I would take the job (Extra Cash) but this time I don't know if I shoud take the job.

The owner does not want to buy ANY new hardware since all servers are less than three years old. All of his machines are way above min requirements; however, I don't know if I want to risk upgrading a live environment.

To answer the most obvious questions. Because the last IT contractor BS'd the owner and got paid to upgrade hardware only. (which was almost double fair market value)

So what do you all think. Would you upgrade a live environment? The first two weeks of Jan, the network can be off line - I would set a second mx record up just in case and point it to a smtp server somewhere.

It's a simple network. 255.255.0.0 sitting on a 10+Mbs internet connection. No eCommerce