New to Exchange, need 5.5 -> 2000 upgrade advice

[osu9400]

I am new to Exchange and have been given a project to upgrade our failing 5.5 server to 2000 and need some advice:

1. This is not an in-place upgrade. When the new server goes online, will I have to visit every desktop to make note of the new server name? Or, is there an automated way of doing this?

2. I want to run both servers in parallel as I slowy move users over. Will there be a problem going from a single Exchange server, to two, then back to one?

3. I read about a move utility. Can I use this utility to move users from a 5.5 to 2000 server?

Here are some specifics about my environment:
- Three Win2K server and one NT4.
- The single Exchange 5.5 server runs on the NT box.
- We do NOT run AD, but may consider it as a project after the Exchange server has been stable for a few months.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Marcs41]

See thread858-474481 _{If the answer is here, Mark it, others can benefit from it too. If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, excpect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC!
Marc}

 

[speedracercjr]

You must have AD installed to get Exchange 2000 running. It doesn't have a built in directory system like 5.5 does.