Our current Exchange server is 2003 SP2 on Windows 2000 server SP4. Our AD is a Windows 2008 server. during the readiness check, i get an alert about the domain controller being Windows 2000. Can transition to Exchange 2010? what do i need to do enable a transition?

primary requirement is domain and forest level of active directory should be windows 2003 native. it means you need to have minimum of windows 2003 servers with no windows 2000 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb691354.aspxThanks Uday Kiran, Senior Consultant Cyquent Technology Consultants, Dubai Please Mark as answer if it helps you

let me clarify ... server 1: Windows 2008 ... holds all active directory roles server 2: Windows 2000 domain controller, Exchange 2003 server 3: new Windows 2008R2 planned Exchange 2010 server if i cannot transition, what are my options? Exchange 2007? thanks, Rustom

Unfortunately, this is not going to be easy since you have Exch 2003 installed on a 2000 DC. You have to decom all 2000 DCs before introducing a 2010 server. So here are your options: Standup a member server to install Exch 2007 on it and migrate Exch 2003 to 2007. Then uninstall Exch 2003 off of the 2000 DC and then decom the 2000 DC. Raise the forest/domain functional level to at least 2003 native. Then you can introduce a Exch 2010 server into the environment and migrate from Exch 2007 to 2010 Same thing as above, but instead of standing up a server for Exch 2007, introduce another server and install Exch 2003 on it. Then migrate 2003 to 2003. Decom the 2000 DC and then introduce a Exch 2010 server into environment. Either way, it is going to be a two hop process since Exch is installed on a 2000 DC.Tim Harrington | MVP: Exchange | MCITP: EMA 2007/2010, MCITP: Lync 2010, MCITP: Server 2008, MCTS: OCS | Blog: http://HowDoUC.blogspot.com | Twitter: @twharrington

1. What I'd consider is upgrading to exch 2003 as you're already familar with this version and then upgrade to exch 2010. Otherwsie it will be a big learning curve for you to learn 2007 and 2010 and should you have any incident during migrations it may take more time. 2. If you do decide to take the 2003 exch server route, then at least install this on Win 2003 and NOT 2000, no support for 2000, again shold you have an issue during your migration you wont get support from Microosft for your OS, so choose one which is still supported in one way, 3. Also, consider, when you do migrato (staging exch server) dont install AD on it, i.e make it a DC, it will provide more issues than benefits and it's not best practsie and not supported to change roles after.Sukh

Hi, I think you can consider Tim's way. And do you have any update? ThanksPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.