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move exchange to server w/ another name

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7 replies

by mikelazz

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We will be attempting to migrate our current Exchange 5.5 server to a more powerful server. However, the name of the new server will be different. I have seen the documentation regarding this situation, but only if the new server has the same name. What problems will arise by doing this? Any recommendations?

7 replies

by [_rick_>

Easy solution and the only recommended solution to prevent loss of data.

Install the new server. Install Exchange on the new server, place the new server in the same Organization and Site as the original. Once both servers are in the same site you can move users from one server to the next.

Depending on the bandwidth between the two servers and the amount of storage currnetly being consumed this mass moving may take you a while to complete.

Things to watch or monitor:
1. Set the Move User logging to maximum. Found in the Properties of the Information Store, Diagnostic Logging, MSExchangeIS, System
2. Turn off MTA message delivery on both servers
3. Turn off any server side virus protection

The Outlook client will take careof making the necessary change to the user profile (just do not shut down the original until all users have had a chance to log in at least once, if you remove the original server too soon than Outlook profiles will need to be updated by other means(either manual visit or via automated - IDK99)

Good luck.

by [_rick_>

Note: Some may recommend using the Forklift method. I do not recommend doing this unless you are very comfortable with MS Exchange, how it is setup and have a detailed plan of how to recover in the event there is a problem.

Using the forklift method requires performing registry hacks and modifying the directory store via RAW mode. Not recommended for the faint of heart.

If you upto using this method, MS has a technet article on it:

XADM: Forklifting All Users to a New Server [Q199954]

(pss: you will need to take the Outlook client user profile into account and how it will be modified)

by [_rick_>

Promise last comment:

If the original is the 1st server in the site, you will need to follow the procedures outlined in the following MS Technet Artcile:

XADM: How to Remove the First Exchange Server in a Site [Q152959]

http://support.microsoft.com/

Search via Q number

by mikelazz

Wow I didn't think it would be that straight forward and work! The only real time consuming part was moving the mailboxes. The one thing that we also had to do was switch the IP addresses and edit the host files on the clients.

by dynamo2003

Simply install the new server to join an existing site. Once the server is active on site after applying Service Pack and running Performance Optimiser simply use the mailbox move tool to move the mailboxes from the old server to new. Job done.

by mikelazz

Yep that was pretty much it. just had to switch the IPs and edit the host files on the clients.

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