Exchange 2007 (also a DC) to Exchange 2013 migration

Hi,

I'm planning for a migration and was looking for any advice anyone may have based on their experiences. Here is our existing setup:

  • One Exchange 2007 (all roles on one box, and its on a Windows 2003 DC; this is not SBS)
  • Two  Windows 2003 DCs (as per above, as you can tell the need for this migration)

The goal is to:

  • Introduce a new dedicated Exchange 2013 server (as a VM)
  • Introduce 2 new Windows 2012R2 DCs (both physical)

I'm aware that the Exchange has to be at least SP3 for coexistance. From the compatibiltiy list it shows that Windows 2003 DCs are supported.

Should I make the 2012 R2 servers the DCs before installing Exchane 2013? The part I'm not quite sure about is how to go about this since Exchange is running on the 2003 DC and if it will break anything by trying to make another.

There are many guides out there...does anyone have a particuliar one that they've had success with?



March 28th, 2015 1:17pm

Hello

tip:

1 install latest ru to exch 2007
2 install exch2013 to new server
3 migrate exch 2007 to 2013
3 install new dcs
4 move fsmo
5 remove 2003 dc

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March 28th, 2015 1:44pm

Hi berlan,

Thank you for your question.

Because Exchange 2013 didnt support Window server 2003. We install Window server 2012 firstly, then we could install Exchange 2013 in organization.

In the following, we could migrate AD to Windows server 2012, then we could migrate Exchange 2007 SP3 to Exchange 2013.

We could refer to the following link:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996719(v=exchg.150).aspx

We could refer to the following link to migrate Exchange 2007 to Exchange 2013:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/meamcs/archive/2013/07/25/part-1-step-by-step-exchange-2007-to-2013-migration.aspx

in refer to Window server 2012 migration, we could post case to Window server forum by the following link:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsserver/en-US/home?category=windowsserver

If there are any questions regarding this issue, please be free to let me know. 

Best Regard,

March 30th, 2015 4:05am

Agreed with above suggestions.

Here is an informative technet resource that provides complete check-list while need to migrate from Exchange 2007 to 2013 : https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff805032%28v=exchg.150%29.aspx

Exchange server deployment assistant would also be a good approach that is available from Microsoft : https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dn756393.aspx

Moreover, if you wish to accomplish this job automatically, you may also give a shot to this automated solution (http://www.exchangemigrationtool.com/) that could be an appropriate alternative solution for you.

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March 30th, 2015 5:11am

Updating of Exchange (which is installed on DC) is very risky. Don't touch that at all.

Make a second Exchange-server, update and use them as a source of mailbox migration.

(Backup! Backup AD. Backup database. Make backup&restore test!)

March 31st, 2015 7:46am

Hi there,

There's some varying differences on the strategy to do this on here, but this is how I would do it.

You will absolutely have to update Exchange 2007 to be at the required SP and RU for Exchange 2013 co-existence. Plan this.

You will have to have your Windows Forest functional and Domain functional levels at least at Windows 2008 R2 prior to introducing Exchange 2013. I recommend putting it at 2008 R2 - there's absolutely no need to go higher and it keeps Exchange 2007 supported. This means you now have to introduce your two new Windows DCs. Do not transfer FSMO roles yet.

You can then install your Exchange 2013 server, make this internet facing for Outlook Anywhere and OWA and any other protocols you are using like SMTP.

Then migrate the mailboxes.

At this point decomission the Exchange 2007 Server - uninstall Exchange from the DC.

At this point, transfer the FSMO roles to your new DCs

At this point remove your now defunct legacy DC.

I hope this helps.

Have a great day,

Oliver

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March 31st, 2015 11:12am

Hi there,

There's some varying differences on the strategy to do this on here, but this is how I would do it.

You will absolutely have to update Exchange 2007 to be at the required SP and RU for Exchange 2013 co-existence. Plan this.

Windows 2003 Forest/Domain functional level is supported for Exchange 2013 as described here. There's no need to transfer transfer FSMO roles yet as Exchange will only look locally as it is also a DC.

You can then install your Exchange 2013 server, make this internet facing for Outlook Anywhere and OWA and any other protocols you are using like SMTP.

Then migrate the mailboxes.

At this point decomission the Exchange 2007 Server - uninstall Exchange from the DC.

At this point, transfer the FSMO roles to your new DCs

At this point remove your now defunct legacy DC.

I hope this helps.

Have a great day,

March 31st, 2015 3:10pm

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

I've been continuing the research and looking at the documentation I've been directed to, and one thing that stands out is how a majority of the feedback leans towards introducing Windows 2008 or 2012 as DCs in order to support Exchange 2013.

However much of the documentation including those on Technet show Windows 2003 server and Windows 2003 forest functional levels are supported w/ Exchange 2013: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996719%28v=exchg.150%29.aspx

Am I missing the fine print somewhere? It appears that Sneff's approach directly follows the MS guidelines.

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March 31st, 2015 11:50pm

Just to add Windows 2003 is coming to end of support so it would be really great as suggested by everyone to upgrade your DC to atleast 2008 R2. Below is the link of windows 2003 lifecyle support.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?alpha=windows%20server&Filter=FilterNO

April 1st, 2015 12:31am

You're right - there's no point doing the Directory upgrade as Windows 2003 Forest/Domain is supported as noted here.

I've edited my post to remove that unnecessary action

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April 1st, 2015 6:44am

I would follow this steps. after you prepare your Exchange 2007 with latest updates.

1) Install 2 DC windows 2008 R2 or Windows 2012
2) Move FMSO Roles from Windows 2003 to Windows 2008 or windows 2012
3) Install Exchange 2013 on the VM box
4) Create a test mailbox on Exchange 2007 send/recive mails
5) Move the test mailbox from 2007 to 2013 and perform the test.
6) Move all mailbox's from 2007 to 2013
7) Shutdown the Exchange 2007/Windows 2003 server for a day or so to test 2013 functionality and user authentication.
8) If everything looks good will decomm the exchange 2007 following by Windows 2003 DC.

April 1st, 2015 7:03am

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