Hello, I have some questions on the move to native mode from mixed mode in exchange. The organization has been prepared, no exchange 5.5 or even 2000 servers are currently being used. The ADC and SRS has beem removed... The change mode option is now available. My questions are, how long will the process take to change from mixed to native mode?... I understand all the Information Stores in the exchange organization will need to be rebooted but I am wondering how long the change mode process will take, what negative effects this will have on network connectivety and after the change what negative effects, minus not being able to implement other exchange 5.5 servers in the organiztion are??? I can't find much information on what is happening when I actually do the switch and a lot of information on how to do the switch... Which I have followed to get to this point.... Ultimtately I want to run this change during the day so in case of issues I might be able to fix any "unknown rpoblems" that might occur during the switch. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi, check the answers for your questions: how long will the process take to change from mixed to native mode?... Immidiately, the Exchange Organization will be moved or raised to Native Mode immidiately once you clicked on the Change mode bottom and once you confirmed the warning message that appears after that. no need to restart the Information Store Service to apply the changes. the changes will take the effect immidiately. what negative effects this will have on network connectivety and after the change ?... no negative effect will happen on network connectivity bases between your Exchange Servers (off course only 2000 and 2003 and 2007). you have to know that this process is a one way process, there is no revert back option from native mode to mixed mode, also you have to remove all 5.5 servers from your organization before you raise your exchange organization to native mode. raising the Exchange Mode from mixed to native will add new features to the exchange organization and will remove the limitations that was there in the mixed mode organization, these aresome of the features from raising your exchange organization to native mode: Support for multiple routing groups within a single administrative group. Routing groups can consist of servers from multiple administrative groups Ability to move servers between routing groups. Ability to move mailboxes between servers in different Administrative Groups within an organization. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is the default routing protocol. An administrative group does not have to contain any routing groups and a server can belong to an administrative group without belonging to a routing group within that administrative group. you can check the following Microsoft Knowlodge Base Articles for more information about the comparison between the Mixed mode and Native Mode, and its effects on your network and organization: Description of mixed mode and native mode in Exchange 2000 Server and in Exchange Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/270143/en-us How To Convert from Mixed Mode to Native Mode in Exchange http://support.microsoft.com/kb/327779/en-us When to Change an Exchange Organization to Native Mode http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281088/en-us Preparing a Mixed Mode Organization for Conversion to Native Mode http://support.microsoft.com/kb/272314/en-us Please Note When you ask a question, remember to click "mark as answered" when you get a reply which answers your question; this ensures the right forum member gets credit below for being helpful (and makes search more relevant too). Regards Alaa