Setting up Outlook with Exchange a/c using PST files

[webnrm]

We have users currently using POP3 email with Outlook 2003 & 2007, therefore they have a PST file on their local computer. Are in the process of setting up our own Exchange Server (2003).

Our exchange server is sitting in Perth and we are in the Kimberley, therefore the only real way of getting the PST files to the exchange server is by copying them to a thumbdrive and posting it down. Uploading via internet is not option as we don't have a fast connection.

Is it possible, once the exchange server is configured and ready to roll, to set up the new account in Outlook and import the PST file into the exchange account in Outlook?(which would save sending files by post) And will this then put it onto the exchange server or will it be permanently in a file on local machine? And will new emails then be sitting on exchange server not in the same PST file?

 

[58sniper]

The cleanest way by far is to import them on the Exchange server. Much less grief, much faster, and no end user involvement.

You can just create the email account in Outlook, and then drag/move the mail from the personal folders (PST) to the mailbox. But users would have to do that for every folder, then close the .pst file when they're done. If you ask me, this is just asking for trouble.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[SimonDavies]

Add to the fact that it may also replicate down that slow link you're talking about.

Would you be using the same mail domain or something new?

Exmerging the PST files in would be the answer but you would have to make sure that you did it over a weekend and no new mails were received between the time you took the PST files and the Exmerge into Exchange, you would be better off having the MX records changed and clients configured with the new Exchange server before starting the import, that way you have a clear cut off of old and new and all new mails would go into the Outlook profile for the Exchange server and the PST files could then be imported in afterwards.

Simon

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.