Moving Exchanger Server 5.5

Its absolutly possible. The easy way to do it is to create your new exchange server as part of the current site and move the users mail boxes to the new server.

You will have to pay attention to the fact that your old server was the first serverin the site.

Follow the instructions in this KB from microsoft Q152959

You can find it at http://support.microsoft.com or on Technet.

Pete is correct that you can build the new server as a new server in the same site and use the Move Mailbox command in Exchange Administrator to move the mailboxes. This is the preferred method according to Microsoft. I've used it a few times, butI always end up with some sort of grief when I remove the old server. Not insurmountable grief but grief nonetheless.

So there is an alternate procedure called a "forklift" migration and you can find details on that in article Q199954 on TechNet. I like it because it leaves the old server fully intact until you determine the new server is working properly.

You can also do an on-line restore from tape or use the procedure that Microsoft recommends for moving a server to new hardware (article Q155216).

Whichever way you choose, make SURE you have good backups, both on-line and off-line. If you do, you can always find your way back home no matter how badly things go.

I've done them every which way, and I prefer the forklift butyour mileage may vary.

paul

I do not recommend the new server in the same Site and Organization. This may requiere the reconfiguration of all your workstations.

I have done it with the following tehcnique:

1. Make sure you can afford down time. A whole weekend if posible.
2. Perform full online and offline backup.
3. If your server is a PDC, then promote a BDC to PDC and remove it (the Exchange Server) from the Domain with Server Manager.
4. Take your server phisicaly offline.
5. Build your new server with NT with the same Service Packs installed on your actually offline Exchnge Server. IMPORTANT: Name your new server after the old server.(Exact the same) to ensure Directory recovery.
6. Install Exchange Server software and the same Service Packs installedon your actually offline Exchnge Server.
7. Unload or Stop Exchange services.
8. Restore from offline backup.
9. Reboot, and check the Event Viewer to look for posible errors.
Presto!! You have the same server with new hardware. And with no reconfiguration of client computers.
Do not discard the old server. Keep it for a few days, until you are sure everything is fine. It may save your job.

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