NT4 Exchange 5.5 to 2k3 AD Exchange 2K3

[MTVW]

We recently upgraded our NT4 domain to AD 2K3. Currently the domain is running in mixed mode until we replace all BDC's, which is just about complete. Our Exchange 5.5 Server is on an NT4 Member server.

When the BDC's are replaced I plan on switching to DFL 2K3 (native mode) to avoid any Public folder problems. Run forest and domain prep....install adc setup ca's and then install my first Exchange 2K3 server into the existing 5.5 site.

Any problems with running 5.5 on an NT4 server in native AD?

 

[markdmac]

So long as the NT4 is not a BDC no.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[MTVW]

That's what I thought. This guy says otherwise... <

http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/exchange2003/exchange_2003_compatibility.htm>

 

[markdmac]

I think you are maybe misreading that article. What it is pointing out is that the only version of Exchange that can be loaded on a Windows 2003 server is Exchange 2003.

There is no problem with having NT4 member servers in a Windows 2003 domain and since Exchange 5.5 is not AD aware, it is simply an application running on that member server.

All that said, I highly encourage you to upgrade to Exchange 2003 since support for 5.5 is long gone and the fact that Exchange 2003 offers so much more than 5.5.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[MTVW]

Thank you for the info Mark.
That is what we are planning on doing. I have a replica of our Exchange and AD structure in test. I switched to DFL 2K3 and followed the steps in the deployment tools. I am having trouble sending mail on Exchange 2K3 after moving a mailbox to it. Sending on 5.5 works fine.
Any ideas? All services on 2K3 are running with local system. On 5.5 they are using the exchange admin account.

 

[markdmac]

Any errors?

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[MTVW]

MTA Stack, errors when I try to start it.... but doesn't 2K3 only use SMTP?

 

[markdmac]

Did you upgrade from 5.5?

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[markdmac]

ignore my last post, sorry.

The MTA is used in 5.5. If you remove the 5.5 server it should no longer be used.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[MTVW]

Exchange 2K3 was installed into the existing 5.5 site in mixed mode. I know I need MTA for sending to 5.5 still.
I can't even do that though...can't send to 2K3 users either.
Any ideas?

 

[markdmac]

OK, let's step back here and better clarify things becasue from the original post you talk about planning all of this and now the scope has changed as you are seeing errors with it all set up.

So please provide details on your CURRENT environment.

#DCs and what OS?
Is ADC installed?
OS that Exchange 5.5 is installed on. Is it a DC?
OS that Exchange 2003 is insalled on. Is it a DC? Is it a GC?

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[MTVW]

My setup is in Test. We are planning our migration. The reason for my original post was because of the error I am seeing in test with not being able to send emails. I thought maybe it had something to do with not having 5.5 on 2K. Which is and should not be the case.

Our test lab consists of a native DFL 2K3 AD structure coupled with a 5.5 Exchange server on an NT member server. I used the standard deployment method for installing my Exchange 2k3 server into the existing 5.5 org.
ADC is installed
Exchange2K3 is on a member server.

The 5.5 directory is all synced up with AD. Exch2K3 is installed and I am able to move mailboxes to it. When I move a mailbox to Exch2K3 I cannot send from it to any mailboxes...not even to itself.

 

[MTVW]

Sorry for the confusion....

 

[markdmac]

Check the SMTP connector on the Exchange 2003 box. You need to point it to the 5.5 box so it can send out mail.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[MTVW]

Where would I look for that?

 

[markdmac]

Exchange System Manager under Connections.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[MTVW]

MTA doesn't need to be started on the 2K3 box?

 

[markdmac]

If in Mixed Mode then yes. Not if you are in native mode.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[MTVW]

I removed everything related to the 2K3 installation. Got a new copy of enterprise and re-installed from scratch. Works fine now. Thanks.