migration to new server 2

[fitfixer]

I have built a new Exchange 2003 server and installed it beside the old exchange 2003 server, I hope to do a gradual migration of mailboxes to the new box before retiring the old one

The problem is that we use a smarthost, the MX points to our third-party filtering service and we use a smart host to connect to them, I also have the [old] server locked down so that it can only send or receive from the servers at the filtering company, this is very effective but prevents our new server from communicating with the old server, if I move a mailbox the user cannot get their mail

Does this mean that the migration must be done in one big bang? or is there a way to set up a connector so that we can get mailflow between the two boxes? as a one-man mail admin I would be grateful for any help or suggestions

Many Thanks



FrankF
A+,Network+,MCSA

 

[ShackDaddy]

You probably configured the smarthost down deep in the virtual SMTP server. You should blank out that field and instead create a routing connector that sends all mail to * out to your smarthost. Once you've done that, your server will have its hands untied and another connector can route mail to your other server.

I may not have all that perfectly right, but it's in the right direction. You want to use routing connectors, not the default SMTP virtual server properties. You also want to designate your old server as the bridgehead server (it's in one of the tabs when you are setting up the routing connector) so that all mail goes out through it.

Dave Shackelford
Shackelford Consulting

 

[Zelandakh]

That's a good set of pointers - Frank, please post tips back for anyone else searching on this.

 

[fitfixer]

Thanks for the reply,Dave

You were right about the SMTP virtual server, I deleted the settings and set up an internet mail SMTP connector on the first [and only] routing group
I have set the smart host, named the old server as the bridgehead and specified the address space SMTP = *

The mail is flowing fine, our Outlook clients cannot connect but I can fix that, the big problem now is that we are getting spam, the Virtual Server allows me to lock down and only allow the filtering service IP addresses, by setting * as the address space spammers can bypass the filter

I have reverted to the old settings and everything is OK again, but I'll try again



FrankF
A+,Network+,MCSA

 

[ShackDaddy]

The virtual server is used by EVERY connector, so if you add the other local exchange server's IP address to the list of allowed servers, you should still be able to lock down the originating hosts.

Dave Shackelford
Shackelford Consulting

 

[fitfixer]

That worked a treat Dave, Thank you, the SMTP Connector has allowed the new server to send and receive mail and I have successfully moved some of the mailboxes, I have also specified the IP addresses on the SMTP Virtual server, I can now do a gradual migration to the new box
many thanks for your help



FrankF
A+,Network+,MCSA

 

[ShackDaddy]

Terrific. Glad things are moving along again.

Dave Shackelford
Shackelford Consulting