Exchange 2000 to 2003 Migration

[EnemyAce]

Thought I'd pick some brains before attempting anything. Here is my scenario.

I currently have a W2K environment with two W2K Domain Controllers and Exchange 2000 running on a W2K Server. I would like to upgrade to Exchange 2003 and W2K3, what is the best method for doing so?

My plan was to install a new server as a W2K3 member server, install Exchange 2003, move mailboxes from the Exchange 2000 Server, then upgrade both Domain Controllers to W2K3. An alternate plan is to upgrade both Domain Controllers to W2K3 first, then bring up a new Exchange 2003 Server on W2K3, and move the mailboxes from the Exchange 2000 Server running on W2K.

Are either of these ideas feasable? If I upgrade my Domain Controllers first, do I blow up Exchange 2000?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Dave

 

[jimmysays]

We just completed a similar task for a client. I would suggest installing the w3k new memeber server with Exchange and then upgrading the other two servers.

I would suggest implementing a raid mirror prior to the upgrade. I would brake the mirror before making any site wide changes so that you have a roll back option in the event the upgrade doesn't go smoothly. This will also give you a piece of mind in knowing that if the upgrade process fails and the network smashes you can recover the old site configuration simply by swamping the drives out on the servers.

I strongly suggest downloading the ExAllTools.EXE file from Microsoft. After installing Exchange on the w3k member server open the Mailbox Merge Wizard (ExMerge)application which is included in the ExAllTools.EXE file. This utility will automatically move your users, public folders, and calendar from the existing exchange server to your new 2003 one.

Jimmy

 

[EnemyAce]

Thanks for the tips, I really appreciate this.

I managed to setup an isolated test environment and did just what you suggested, Exchange first, then W2003 on the domain controllers. It went well, but I guess I need the exalltools utility to mass move all the mailboxes, public folders and calendar.

Does this utility migrate settings from the Exchange 2000 server like relay, etc? Or is something I'd have to manually set on the new Server?

Dave