Upgrading to Server 2008 and Exchange 2007

[AnnDroyd]

Can anyone explain to me the basic procedure for upgrading mailserver running Server 2003 and Exchange 2003 to Server 2008 and Exchange 2007?

 

I understand you can't do an in-place upgrade of the operating system whilst Exchange is installed, but neither can you restore Exchange 2003 mailboxes to an Exchange 2007 server.

 

If that's the case, how can you do a clean install without losing your existing mailboxes?

[flyinghaggis]

There are some good articles on the technet website for how to do this but the jist of what you need to do is :-

 

1) Build a new server and install Exchange 2007 on it

2) Migrate the mailboxes from the old one over to the new one

3) Decomission the old one

[AnnDroyd]

Thanks for that. If I wish to retain the same physical server, would the same principle apply, but moving the mailboxes back having rebuilt the original server?

[flyinghaggis]

Yes, I think you could do that. TBH i'd try and push for a new server if possible for the install though to minimise any risk by moving them to a temporary server which is only capable of running exchange as a temporary hop . Would also save a lot of pain migrating mailboxes back and forth as it'll effectively doubling your workload and downtime for staff.

 

See below for more info :-

 

Exchange Server 2007: Exchange 2007 Help

Edited May 27, 2010 by flyinghaggis

[djm968]

If cost is an issue and you school cannot afford a new server, you could throw some RAM at the exisitng server you have to beef it up a bit and use one of the free virtual server solutions to perform a P2V conversion of the existing Exchange server. Install W2K8 and E2K7 as another virtual server on the same box so that the two Exchange versions co-exist virtually and move the mail boxes over. When the migration is complete the E2K3 virtual server can decommisioned to free up resources.