How can I migrate active directory from my old server to the new server. I am in a process of replacing existing exchanege server. exchange ver 5.5. OS server 2000.

Exchange 5.5 dont use Active Directory, but if you want to upgrade you must go through the migration by implementing an ADC (Active Directory Connector) Exchange 5.5 can only coexist with Exchange 2000 and 2003 (with help of an ADC) if upgrading to Exchange 2007 there is no clear upgrade path, the standard way is to first upgrade to Exchange 2003 and then to Exchange 2007 or are you only migrating to another Exchange 5.5 server?

Yes, I am migrating to exchange 5.5. The OS, version of exchange, data and configuration will be exactly same as the present server. It simply a new hardware replacement. I can build the server with the Dell Openmanage server assistant disk (provided by Dell) which willtake me through the disk partition and raid etc. I can Install the OS (windows 200 server) and service pack it with SP4. will try and put the excahnge 5.5 SP4 on it. The problem is to make sure I can tranfer all the mailboxes, profiles, user data, and other other configuration including AD to the new server. Can you suggest the process/best practice for this? is there a guidance note that takes you through the process step by step on the microsoft website?

what you need to do is to install the new server and replicicate Active Directory information to it (only needed if the old server is Domain Controller) the you can install Exchange 5.5 on the new server. Make sure that you join the current Excange org. and site, this will ensure that Exchange 5.5 directory is replicated to the new server. this artcile explain some steps you need to takehttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/199954/en-us Do you have an ADC installed and configured to replicate between Exchange 5.5 directory and Active Directory?