Endpoint Protection

Currently we have two SEPMs both running 12.1.4 on Win 2k3.  As well we have two clustered servers both running SQL 2005 on Win 2k3 that houses our database.  As all four servers are over 5 years old (this is thier 3rd major revision of SEP) we are looking to replace the servers themselves.  So the first part of my question is when we replace these servers (I also have to change the IPs due to some routing issues) is it the name or the IP that the clients are looking for to report to in order to get thier definition updates?  (clients are currently set to pull from the SEPMs)  And which is neccessary to reconnect the database as I understand that we would need to reconnect the database to 12.1.4 prior to upgrading to 12.1.5?

Second part of my inquiry involves the clients and the iminent end of support for 11.0.6.  All of user base has been upgraded to 12.1.4 but our servers are still running 11.0.6.  My plan was to assign the installer without reboot to the server groups and when they next are patched and rebooted this will also upgrade their client.  However some of them have Symantec installed on a drive other than c.  If I have it set to install to the default location and to maintain existing client features will this install over top of the existing install whatever drive it might be on?

Clients will use either IP or hostname or both. It all depends on what you put in your management server list. You can put both IP/hostname or you can use both. It's up to you.

Yes. As long you you have those settings correctly set for whichever drive letter, the upgrade should be seamless over the top of the existing setting.

So I'm guessing then that if I have them listed by name the new servers have to maintain that name in order to continue communicating with the clients and the database.

I would need to denote the drive letter?  There is no way to have it install over an existing install by default without designating the drive letter explicitly?

You can have a different name is you wish but it would be easier to build the new servers and setup replication to easily move everything over. Supported methods/scenario are here:

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH104389

Yes, you would need to put in the drive letter you want to use. If you leave it at default (C:) it would overwrite what you have now:

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH102896

So if I put for it to install on D:\ for instance it would install on D and remove it from anywhere else?

It would install to D: and leave it on whatever other drive you previously installed to so you would need to manually remove the remnants. Best case is to install to the same drive as the previous install.