Currently in our environment we have Exchange 2013 (Client Access and Mailbox on one server) (no service pack) built on Server 2012 machine. I'd like to rebuild the Exchange server on a new Server 2012 R2 machine. Are there any automated tools for transferring client access configuration(accepted domains, connectors, etc) and can I just unmount the databases from the current server and mount them on the new, or do i have to create new mailbox databases and migrate the mailboxes? Do you guys know any tutorials for this scenario? Thanks in advance!

Hi,

Please read below article that explains why you can not upgrade OS when you are running Exchange.

http://windowsitpro.com/blog/no-windows-upgrade-for-exchange-servers

Regards

Usman Ghani

Hello,

In-place OS upgrades are not supported when Exchange server is installed. You need to introduce another server with Windows 2012 R2 installed. Then install Exchange 2013 and migrate all resources to it. Finally, when all resources are migrated, you can decommission old Exchange server.

Hope it helps,

Robert

Hi

Make sure that you install Exchange 2013 from the SP1 or CU5 media on 2012 R2 ... any earlier version is not supported.

Steve

That was my initial idea. Anything about my migration questions?

You can move the DB between Exchange servers using database portability: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd876926(v=exchg.150).aspx

However, since your existing server is RTM and the new one should be SP1 to support Windows 2012 R2, I would make sure to upgrade the existing server to the same level as the target (or else move mailboxes manually to new server).

Exchange 2013 support matrix:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff728623(v=exchg.150).aspx

 

In my opinion moving mailboxes to new database using New-MoveRequest is better option because it doesn't cause any downtime.

For the rest of the configuration: you may script configuration to recreate it on the new server using powershell.

• Proposed as answer by Mike CrowleyMVP, Moderator Monday, June 30, 2014 7:10 PM
• Marked as answer by Simon_WuMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Monday, July 07, 2014 3:57 PM

Hi,

You need to setup a new Exchange 2013 SP1 or later version on Windows server 2012 R2 at first.

Secondly, migrate all the mailboxes from old Exchange 2013 to the new Exchange 2013.

Thirdly, change the mail flow.

At last, when everything is ok on new Exchange 2013, you can decommission the old Exchange.

For more information, here is a thread about migration from Exchange 2010 to Exchange 2013 for your reference.

Migration From Exchange 2010 to Exchange 2013

http://www.petenetlive.com/KB/Article/0000788.htm

Note: Microsoft is providing this information as a convenience to you. The site is not controlled by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of information found there. Please make sure that you completely understand the risk before retrieving any suggestions from the above link.

Hope it helps.

Best regards,

If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com

Hi,

Have you checked the suggestion I provided?

Is there any update with your issue?

Best regards,

If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com

Found this.  It is a bit dated but perhaps may help.

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/exchange/en-US/afba40de-efb6-4916-ae42-b09cff35e5d7/exch...

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/exchange/en-US/167bdf7d-46b5-4df5-81a1-c64382c648c9/action?threadDisplayName=exchange-2013-server-upgrade-os-from-2008r2-to-2012