Moving from Exchange 2000 to Exchange 2003

[rolman]

Hi all, need urgent advices and guide on the followings:

I'm going to run this project of moving the Exchange 2000 Exchange from existing server to a new purchase server, which will install with Exchange 2003.


But existing server is Win2k AD with Exchange 2000, I'm thinking what is the best and safest way to move the Role to the new server.

Should I setup the new server as ADC, then move the 5 Roles over? Then following by installing Exchange 2003 into Exchange 2000 Site.Then remove the Existing Exchange 2000 from the network. I'm no sure whether it will work.

Pls advice me on what steps should I carry out. Needs to roll out in 2 days time. Feeling so STRESSFUL.

Million of Thanks
Rolman

 

[markdmac]

Need more info on your current domain. Microsoft recommends that Exchange NOT be on a DC. Does the existing server need to be decommissioned? How many other DCs do you have.

In general your plan WILL work but you need to decide now if you will break with the MS advice and make the server a DC first.

Are you also deploying Windows 2003? If not, consider that as you will not get all of the benefits of Exchange 2003 unless you are on Windows 2003.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[58sniper]

You don't need the ADC.

Build the server, add to the domain, promote to DC. Configure DNS. After replication:

Transfer the FSMO roles

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324801

Make a GC

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313994

Install Exchange into the same org

Replicate the Public Folders

Move the mailboxes

After all users have logged into Exchange/OWA,
remove the original Exchange nstallation

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307917

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[markdmac]

Pat, without knowledge of the DCs we don't know if there will be steps for ADPREP /FORESTPREP & ADPREP /DOMAINPREP to be run. Also need to worry about the mangled attributes in this case.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314649/en-us

Rolman, Pat's steps are essentially correct but there are some finer details you will need to identify. Please post the information about your topology and I will fill in those gaps.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[58sniper]

You're right, Mark, and I'm usually the one reminding people of the mangled attribute issue. I think I need some caffeine!

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[rliebsch]

http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Migrating-Exchange2000-Exchange-2003-Hardware.html

I followed this. It worked brilliantly.



Robert Liebsch
Stone Yamashita Partners

http://www.stoneyamashita.com/

 

[rolman]

Hi Guys, thanks for all the advices and guides.Really really appreciate all yours help.

Btw I will deploy a new win2003 on the new server, follow by the Exchange 2003 on it. Then I will decommission the existing server provided the new server is working.

I have read the link provided by rliebsh, but provided the exchange is in native mode. But the existing exchange is in mixed mode. :-(

Below is the details for my current Domain.
1) 1 Server (Win2000 AD and Exchange 2000, mixed mode)
2) 1 Server (Member Server - Only File and Print)

As for the MX Record, I have no worry.Will aliase with ISP on change the MX record.

Currently, I'm also searching for the needed info on this job.

Millions of Thanks
Rolman

 

[58sniper]

If your member server is Windows 2000 or above, you should switch to Native Mode

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[rolman]

Hi all, hope to get another advices on the exchange 2003.

If I change the MX record for the new Exchange 2003 to a new assigned Public IP address, will the incoming mails lost in the process of changing the MX record?

Pls advice.

Million of Thanks
Rolman

 

[markdmac]

If the old IP is unreachable then the systems sending to it should try again and do an MX lookup again. before you do the switch, set the Time To Live (TTL)value on the MX record to as little time as you can, then wait a day so the old records can expire.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[rolman]

Hi markdmac, thanks for your advice. Do you mean that I need to tell my ISP who is holding my MX record to set the TTL?

Thanks
Rolman

 

[markdmac]

Yes

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark