Migrating exchange 2007 to new server install

[pettit87]

We are upgrading to server 2008 R2 over the summer. The current exchange server is on server 2003 x64. Is it a good idea to do a simple upgrade on this server or is a fresh install better?

 

With Service pack 3 for Exchange 2007 supporting 2008 R2, is it a better idea to migrate the data from the old 2003 server to a clean 2008 server? If so does anyone have any experience of this?

[djm968]

First question, are you also upgrading the physical hardware?

Second question, are you/will you be running virtualised servers?

 

The responses to these questions will help define a clearer upgrade path.

 

An in-place upgrade of a standalone server from Windows 2003 to 2008 running Exchange 2007 in not supported.

http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2007/08/16/446709.aspx

Edited July 23, 2010 by djm968
Update

[pettit87]

We are currently running server 2003 x64 virtually using ESX Server 3.5. This is our exchange server. But we are looking to upgrade or create a clean install using another virtual machine

[djm968]

You would need to complete a clean install on a new virtual machine(s).

 

If you are currently running Exchange 2007 virtual on the x64 Windows 2003 you could leave this in-place as the mailbox server role. Then create a new Windows 2008 VM and seperate the other Exchange roles onto this new VM. This will provide a co-existing setup while you plan the next phase of the migration to move the mailbox role onto new 2008 VM(s).