Redirecting clients to new exchange box

[fitfixer]

We are running exchange server 2003 on Windows Server 2003, this is a small office LAN with less than
100 users, because of this we were persuaded to run Exchange on the same server as the main domain
controller,big mistake!

Main DC Server Proliant ML370 G3,
Server 2003 standard edition,
2 x Xeon 3.2 Ghz processors, 2 GB RAM,
5 X 73GB 15K SCSI in a RAID 5 configuration
this box carries all of the FSMO roles, as well as being an Exchange Mail server with Outlook Web Access
using IIS
the main executable of Exchange server, store.exe, hogs all the memory it can get, it swallows up most
of the resources of the server and we have to reboot every morning

Solution;
Move Exchange over to a different box,
I have prepped an older Proliant ML370 G3,
Single Xeon processor, 2GB RAM, no RAID
Server 2003 Standard Edition, SP1

I am installing Exchange on this machine and I would be greatful for any tips you might have to offer;
Do I install Exchange as an additional Exchange server?
Or as a first mail server without running domainprep?

I can use the wizard to move the mailboxes, but how do I get all my Outlook 2003 clients to point to the
new mail server? could I use a group policy or do I redirect?
And do I apply Exchange 2003 SP1?

Thanks for your help, I am an Exchange newbe in over my head, I would welcome any suggestions

FrankF
A+,Network+,MCSA

 

[markdmac]

You will want to install Exchange as a second Exchange server. Then use move mailbox. Do NOT uninstall the old Exchange server.

When your users log in they will AUTOMATICALLY be directed to their new server. When all users have logged in and profiles have been updated, then you can direct mail (ingoing and outgoing) to/from the new server and then remove the old Exchange install.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[fitfixer]

thanks Mark,
I am installing the second mail server but I cant get past DCDIAG; this is the error I get..
dcdiag /S \\server1
"performing initial setup
[Server1]ldap search failed with error 58
the specified server cannot perform the requested operation
the host \\server1 cannot be resolved to an IP address"

the dcdiag command without the /s switchruns fine on both of the DC's

Also when I run nslookup get this error,
"nslookup cannot find server name for address 192.168.1.245, default servers not available
default server = unknown"

Thanks for your time


FrankF
A+,Network+,MCSA

 

[markdmac]

Sounds like your DNS settings are incorrect. The new server should be configured to use an Internal DNS server and not use ISP DNS.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark