Transitioning from Exchange Server 2003 to Exchange Server 2010—-Step by Step

Step 1: Prerequisite

· Windows Server 2008 with Service Pack 2 or later or Windows Server 2008 R2 must be used for all servers running Exchange 2010 server roles or management tools

· .NET Framework 3.5 (Windows 2008 feature)

· Windows Remote Management 2.0

· Windows PowerShell v2 (Windows Server 2008 feature)

· Desktop Experience (Windows Server 2008 feature)

· Net. TCP Services started and set automatic (services.msc)

· Disable TCP/IP6 from Registry (if you use tcp/ip4)

· 2007 Office System Converter

· IIS for Client Access Role

· Active Directory Services Remote Management Tools (ServerManagerCmd –i RSAT-ADDS)

Step 2: Migrating from Windows 2003 AD Forest to Windows 2008 AD Forest

· Create user with domain admin, schema admin and enterprise admin role from existing AD

· Log on using new user name

· Run Dcdiag and Netdiag tools

· Bring the AD forest and domains to Windows Server 2003 Functional Level

· Insert Win2k8 Server DVD into Win2k3 DC

· Run following command from Command prompt

· d:\sources\adprep\adprep.exe /forestprep where d: is DVD ROM

· d:\sources\adprep\adprep.exe /domainprep /gpprep

· d:\Setup and select upgrade option to use existing DC

· Transfer FSMO Roles for a new Win2k8 DC with new Hardware

· Make one DC as GC

· Replicate AD database, GPO or wait tomstone to replicate

· Retire Windows 2003 DC

· Run DCPROMO (Uncheck this is last remaining DC)

· Raise new Domain Functional level to Win2k8

Step3: Transition from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2010

· Bring the Exchange organization to Exchange Native Mode.

· Upgrade all Exchange Servers to Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2.

· Upgrade at least one Global Catalog domain controller in each AD site that will house Exchange Server to Windows Server 2003 SP2 or greater.

· Prepare a Windows Server 2008 (RTM or R2) x64 edition server for the first Exchange 2010 server.

· Install the AD LDIFDE tools on the new Exchange 2010 server (to upgrade the
schema by running d:Exchange2010\Setup /PrepareSchema or Setup /ps)

· Run d:\Exchange2010\Setup /PrepareAD /OrganizationName:your_organisation_name from command prompt where D: DVD ROM

· Install any necessary prerequisites (WWW for CAS server role).

· Run setup on the Exchange 2010 server, upgrade the schema, and prepare the forest and domains. (Setup runs all in one step or separate at the command line eg.

D:\Exchange2010\Setup.com /mode:install /roles:H,C,M

· Install Client Access Server role servers and configure per 2010 design. Validate functionality.

 ServerManagerCmd -i Web-Server

 ServerManagerCmd -i Web-ISAPI-Ext

 ServerManagerCmd -i Web-Metabase

 ServerManagerCmd -i Web-Lgcy-Mgmt-Console

 ServerManagerCmd -i Web-Basic-Auth

 ServerManagerCmd -i Web-Digest-Auth

 ServerManagerCmd -i Web-Windows-Auth

 ServerManagerCmd -i Web-Dyn-Compression

 ServerManagerCmd -i NET-HTTP-Activation

 ServerManagerCmd -I RPC-over-HTTP-proxy

 ServerManagerCmd –I Web-Server Web-ISAPI-Ext Web-Metabase Web-Lgcy-Mgmt-Console Web-Basic-Auth Web-Digest-Auth Web-Windows-Auth Web-Dyn-Compression NET-HTTP-Activation RPC-over-HTTP-proxy –Restart

· Transfer OWA, ActiveSync, and Outlook Anywhere traffic to new CAS servers.

· Install Hub Transport role and configure per 2010 design (New internal/external SMTP connector)

· Transfer inbound and outbound mail traffic to the HT servers.

· Install mailbox servers and configure Databases (DAG if needed).

· Create public folder replicas on Exchange 2010 servers using Exchange 2010 Public Folder tool.

· Move mailboxes to Exchange Server 2010 using Move Mailbox Wizard or PowerShell.

· Re-home the Offline Address Book (OAB) generation server to Exchange Server 2010.

· Re-home the public folder hierarchy on the new Exchange Server 2010 admin group.

· Transfer all Public Folder Replicas to Exchange Server 2010 Public folder store(s).

· Review and verify Installation log, events, Exchange related Windows services, server roles

· Test Mail Flow, public folder, webmail, outlook config

· Run BPA

· Delete Public and Private Information Stores from Exchange 2003 server(s).

· Delete Routing Group Connectors to Exchange Server 2003.

· Delete Recipient Update Service agreements using ADSIEdit.

· Uninstall all Exchange 2003 servers and remove from domain.

Tools to use:

Dcdiag

Netdiag

Repadmin

Replmon

Ntdsutil.exe

ADSIEdit

Exchange Management Console

Further Help:

Microsoft Technet

Keywords: FSMO, Exchange 2010, Exchange 2003, Exchange Server Roles, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003

Important Warning: I am talking about messaging technology. It could be heart of your organization. So Prepare a test lab that simulate your circumstances and fit in your organisation. I created this instruction in a VMware lab environment. Visit TechNet web site to learn more about Exchange 2010 before you deploy in production environment. 

Cheers & Good Luck.