Moving from 1 E2k3 to another

[Javamahn]

I have a Win2k3 domain controller that is also my Exchange 2003Sp2 server. I want to move Exchange off the current server and to a new win2k3 member server. The procedure I am assuming will be to install the 2nd Exchange server to the network. Backup the Exchange info on server1 and restore to 2nd server. Using the Microsoft website KB article I will remove the 1st exchange server from the domain. Is this all there is? Will I need to reconfigure all of the Outlook clients or will they know the change? Should I use the move mailbox util instead of a backup/restore process? We use Veritas generally but I would use NTbackup for this process. Thank you for any help.

 

[MikeBatters]

There is no need to backup and restore.

I would suggest you install your second Exchange server as part of the organsiation and use the AD tool to move users from one server to the other.

Once you have done this you can move all Public Folder replicas and make all the other stuff (bridgeheads, smtp routing etc) also works to your new server.

Once all that is done you just uninstall Exchange from the first server and you will have a nice clean environment to work with.

The bonus of this method is that once the mailbox move is complete you do not need to reconfigure the mail client as when it starts it will contact the original host server and the connection will be redirected to the new server hosting the mailbox (assuming you are using Outlook).

This is also a lower risk strategy as there is no single "big bang" to contend with if anything does go wrong.

Hope that helps.

Mike

*************************************

Remember - There is always another way..........I just haven't found out what it is yet!

 

[Zelandakh]

There are a few bits you need to do to remove the first server from the org - there is a good whitepaper on the MS site to do it. Search remove first server exchange 2003.

Other than that, the above list is pretty inclusive.

 

[Javamahn]

Thanks to all. I have started the mailbox moves and this almost seems too easy. I hope I don't jinx myself.

 

[MikeBatters]

I am sure all will go well.

Mike

*************************************

Remember - There is always another way..........I just haven't found out what it is yet!

 

[58sniper]

There is more involved that what you've listed. This is discussed here all the time, and should be available via search.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt