Exchange 5.5 to 2003 79gb Database 1

[sudip00]

Hey guys,
I have a 79gb db on exchange 5.5. Our main office changed their site and we will have too since we will be connecting to them. What is the simplest way for me to proceed when it comes to setting up a new exchnage server for 2003 with the new site name tht matches the main office?
We were going to localize all user mailbxoes into pst's and store them on local desktops (they will use Internet Mail for the time being) and setup a new server and import those pst's back in to the server. Is that the best way to do it?

 

[Zelandakh]

Definitely not. Exporting to PST will lose the single instance storage so the 79GB will balloon in size.

In place upgrade is possible but not recommended. Backup the server fully using an Exchange aware backup product. Then drop the edb and stm files to another server, follow the FAQ in Exchange 2000 forum on restoring to new hardware, drop the files into the RSG and it upgrades everything for you.