Hi Soon I will be upgrading servers and OS. Currently I have a HP proliant server with Windows server 2003. It is our exchange server as well as our domain server. Currently I have no idea how I am going to grab all of the data and settings from the old server and put it on the new server. I really don't know where to start. Any pointers or starting points would be very much appreciated. Is there any simple easy way to just carry the info over to the new system and have it just work? Thanks in advance

Hello, Exchange and Active directory migration involves numerous steps and there would be many things to consider before you start the migration. I would suggest you to create a new thread in Windows Server Migration Forum, you would likely to get responses and help much quicker than here http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winserverMigration/threadsThanks, Santosh (MCTS W2K8 AD and SCCM) To Infinity and Beyond

Hello, first you have to understand that the recommendation is NOT to run Exchange on DCs, so for the new setup you need at least a second server, domain MEMBER server, for Exchange 2007 or higher, also this machine MUST be installed 64bit OS as Exchange is not longer provided as 32bit version. For the domain upgrade please see: http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/archive/2010/02/10/upgrading-an-active-directory-domain-from-windows-server-2003-to-windows-server-2008-or-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx For Exchange 2007 or higher in a domain see: http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/archive/2010/05/23/exchange-server-and-it-s-relationship-to-active-directory.aspx This means for your planning, install a new DC with the new OS, install a member server with new Exchange, then move the mailboxes from old to the new Exchange. Be aware that demoting a DC with Exchange installed is NOT supported and Exchange MUST be removed before, so in your case after the new Exchange server is up and running. Also the recommendation is to have at least 2 DC/DNS /GC per domain and to NOT install any additional software or server roles on this machine.Best regards Meinolf Weber Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

Hello, Soon I will be upgrading servers and OS. Currently I have a HP proliant server with Windows server 2003. It is our exchange server as well as our domain server. running Exchange on a DC is not recommended for performance and security reasons. I recommend running Exchange on a member server. Currently I have no idea how I am going to grab all of the data and settings from the old server and put it on the new server. I really don't know where to start. Any pointers or starting points would be very much appreciated. Is there any simple easy way to just carry the info over to the new system and have it just work? I recommend: Moving Exchange to a member server Upgrading your AD environment to AD DS 2008: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc731188(WS.10).aspx Adding a new DC with 2008 OS and make it a DNS and GC server Demote the old 2003 DC after transfering FSMO roles to the new DC and making sure that all is okay with AD replication Backup your server before proceeding. For Exchange questions, ask them here: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/exchangeserver You can also perform an in-place upgrade of your OS but I don't recommend that. Note that in-place upgrade from a 32 bit OS to a 64 bit OS or from a 64 bit OS to a 32 bit OS is not supported. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner 2010 / 2011 Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows 7, Configuring Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Administrator Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Server Administrator Microsoft Certified Trainer