MAT And Exchange Server

[ITGURU]

Looking for some advice/info on what others have done as part of the MAT formation.

If for example there are 2 sites with separate AD forests and local exchange servers,and I want to consolidate into a single exchange organisation with DAG (one exchange server at each site) is this possible?

within the trust there is IP site-to-site connection as both on the same broadband connection.

ultimate goal is to have staff accessing a single exchange organisation so GALs have users from both domains and centralised shared calendars.

No plans to move to office 365 at the moment.

 

It it worth creating a new Forest root, placing domain controllers and exchange servers at both sites, then migrating all users/computers/mailboxes to the new forest.

 

only concern would be then if schools were then ever to separate from the trust this may cause an issue with separation.

 

What have others done in this situation

[Wubbalubbadub]

I know this isn't what you want to hear.. but for my own curiosity, why don't you want to migrate to office 365?

 

This scenario is pretty much bread and butter for a situation to migrate to office 365...

[FishCustard]

Yeah, in this situation I would migrate to 365. Exchange is one of the clear-cut things IMO that you don't really want to be managing yourself if you can avoid it - too much hassle.

 

It would be just as much if not more work doing what you describe in your post than doing a full migration.

[ITGURU]

Yeah, in this situation I would migrate to 365. Exchange is one of the clear-cut things IMO that you don't really want to be managing yourself if you can avoid it - too much hassle.

 

It would be just as much if not more work doing what you describe in your post than doing a full migration.

 

I definitely wouldn't say hassle! I've been managing on-site exchange for the last 14 years, done several migrations including cross forest migrations and had 100% uptime!

[FishCustard]

I definitely wouldn't say hassle! I've been managing on-site exchange for the last 14 years, done several migrations including cross forest migrations and had 100% uptime!

 

I do not doubt that you have, but when Exchange goes wrong it can be a real pain to sort out. (Disclosure: The last version of Exchange I managed was 2010, it might be much better now)

[ITGURU]

I do not doubt that you have, but when Exchange goes wrong it can be a real pain to sort out. (Disclosure: The last version of Exchange I managed was 2010, it might be much better now)

 

yes its come a long way on - so much easier to manage now and touch wood never had any issues.