SMTP domain name and user name change

[jschleye]

I need change my domain name from company1.com to area.company2.com and the users accounts from name.lastname@company1.com to nlastname@area.company2.com and also change the machine where Exchange 5.5 is running.
The users want the mails of the old accounts can be forwarded for 1 month to the new accounts automatically.
Wich is the best approach to acomplish this migration process?

 

[Psingh]

I think archive their mailboxes and import the same whn they have their new mailboxes ready with them.

PSingh

 

[snowghost]

You can add the new email address to the existing mailboxes--they'll get mail from both. After one month delete the old addy.

Ed Becker
MBA,MCSE

 

[fuego007]

If you want to replace the existing server with new hardware, see my FAQ

http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?spid=10&sfid=3512.

When it comes time to remove and re-install the IMC, use your new domain name, etc. As for your existing mailboxes, there is no quick way to change their existing SMTP addresses. Snowghost is closest to the mark, but he left out how to do it. On the properties page for each mailbox is a tab labeled 'Addresses'. Select this tab. You will see their current smtp address in bold face. click on the 'New' button and create an additional internet mail address using your new domain name. Once it's created, click the button at the bottom of the window labeled 'Set as reply address'. the new address should now be in bold face. When your users send new messages, this address will be displayed on the receiver's mail system.

You will need to have an additional MX record in DNS, and you can have both the old and new domains listed simultaneously. You won't need two IMCs, as the IMC will check for the existence of a mailbox with the old SMTP address (for that matter, a user could have any number of aliases). When you are done with your cross-over period, simply remove the old DNS entry.

Bob