Hi,

We need to move a large (+150GB) PF mailbox into a new database on the same Exchange 2013 server.

Looking at the Microsoft documentation, I'm seeing conflicting information on whether the PFs will be accessible during the move.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-GB/library/jj906434(v=exchg.150).aspx says "Depending on the size of the public folder mailbox, the move may take several hours to complete. During that time, users wont be able to access the public folders. Users also wont have access to public folders for a brief period while the folder is in the Completion in Progress state."

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-GB/library/jj150538(v=exchg.150).aspx#Moves says "That means that the cmdlet doesnt do the actual work and, during most of the move, the public folder and public folder mailboxes will still be available to users."

Can anyone confirm which one is correct?  Logically, I think it should be the second one - it makes sense that that they wouldn't be accessible during the move completion phase, but not while the data was actually being transferred.

We need to be sure before starting this process - if they aren't accessible for the whole of the move we'll struggle to get a window in which to complete it.

Any info, especially if someone has done it and can confirm, would be great.

Thanks.

public folder mailbox move to different mailbox database is similar to normal mailbox move. MRS will lock the mailbox during the final mailbox synchronisation process which Completion In Progress stage. I haven't tested this practically. 

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-in/library/jj150538(v=exchg.150).aspx#Moves

this is the latest article. please refer this.

Please review:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn594582(v=exchg.150).aspx

that 150 GB PF MB is 50% over the supported size.  How about you take the time now to correct that and move content around ?

Hi,

Yes, for small size public folder mailbox, the public folder and public folder mailboxes will still be available to users. And the Mailbox Replication Service would perform mailbox moves easily for small size public folders.

In your scenario, the Public Folder mailbox is very large (+150GB). It needs time for the Mailbox Replication Service to perform mailbox moves, import and export requests, and public folder move requests.

I suggest we can device the public folder content and move some public folders from this large public folder mailbox to some new public folder mailboxes. Then do the public folder mailbox move between the database.

Regards,