How do I replace an old server with new hardware

The following procedure is a modified version of TechNet article 155216. It does not include info for Key Management Server. It also assumes that you are doing a fresh install of NT 4.0 or Win2k without Active Directory. If you are running KMS, please consult the aforementioned article.

[color red]NEW as of 30 Aug 04! PLEASE READ!!!!!

If you are replacing a server that is part of a multi-server site, DO NOT remove the server from the site in Exchange Admin! Also, when running Exchange setup on the new server, use the /R switch. For more information, see TechNet article 155216. I appologize if anyone has had problems using this procedure in a multi-server environment due to a lack of this info.

Many Tek-Tips members have used this procedure with great success, and have left very kind comments. All are appreciated. This procedure WILL work perfectly in a single-server environment, and that is what it is written for.[/color]



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Procedure for replacing an existing Exchange server with new hardware.

This must be done when you can have e-mail unavailable for hours or more - depending on your database size.

First, ensure you have a current backup of the existing server - both the OS and the Exchange Databases.

From Exchange Admin, open the properties window for the server. Select the Database Paths tab and note where each item is located.

Stop all Exchange services and set them to manual startup.

Ensure there is a local administrator account on the server.

Rename the server and restart.

Delete the original server name from the domain.

On the new hardware, install NT and create partitions to math what you have on the old hardware (drive-wise, not size-wise).

Once the original server's name has disappeared from the server manager window, rename the new server using the original server's name and join the domain.

Install Exchange server on the new hardware using the same Organization, Site, and Server names used on the original server. Ensure all NT and Exchange service packs have been applied that were installed on the old server.

Run Exchange Optimizer and make sure the database paths match the information gathered from the original server.

Once Optimizer completes, stop all Exchange services.

Find the following folders on all drives: mdbdata, mtadata, dsadata.

In each folder, create a folder named 'Hold', and move the contents of the folders into the respective 'Hold' folders.

COPY (DO NOT MOVE) the data from the above folders on the old server to the corresponding folders on the new server, being careful to move data from drive C: to drive C:, D: to D:, etc.

When all data has been copied over start the System Attendant and the Directory Store, open a DOS window and execute the following command:

c:\exchsrvr\bin\isinteg -patch

When this completes, you will receive a message that the database was successfully updated. If you get any errors, try changing the directory to the drive and folder containing the priv.edb and pub.edb, and try again.

Once you have received the message that the database was successfully updated, you can start the Exchange services. If you had installed the internet mail connector on the original server, you will have to re-install it on the new server.