Why no upgrade option to Windows Server 2008?

I have been holding off the deployment of a server in production for over month, waiting for a Windows Server 2008 upgrade product from Windows Server 2003. It has been several months since the release of Windows Server 2008, and still no upgrade product SKU available!

When I asked my Dell Gold Team for an upgrade product from Windows 2003, I was told that if I had a software assurance on the server (which I don't), the upgrade would be free. Otherwise I have to purchase a full Windows 2008 license!

It is a new server and going for deployment for the first time, and I thought it would be wise to upgrade before we publish live sites on it.

Now, why is not there an upgrade SKU yet, now that it has been serveral months since Windows Server 2008 was released?

I have a feeling that Microsoft knows that an upgrade SKU will be more of a problem for them, and everyone who tries to upgrade a production environment of 2003. There is no easy upgrade path from Windows 2003 to Windows 2008. I have heard some admins had to roll back the uprade as some applications/settings did not work properly in Windows 2008 after upgrading from Windows 2003. As far I recall, a fresh installation and migration is recommended, rather than upgrade.  Thats no easy task.

Nevertheless, there should have been an upgrade SKU for Windows 2008 available for people like in my situation. I can not justify purchasing another full server license while there is already a  Windows 2003 license on the hardware.