Server replacement

Your advice on the following scenario would be greatly appreciated:

Current server = glorified pc (barely hanging in there), running win 2003, domain controller (active directory), MSsql with reporting services. Exchange 2003.
I must replace the old server with a new HP Proliant.
The new server must have the same name as the old server!

How would you do this?

Active Directory Migration Tool
MSsql shouldn't be much of a pain to move. Prolly some tools to do the niggly little bits, but the data files can be copied and imported.
Dunno about exchange, but I think there is a way to import another store. prolly some other tools to migrate some settings.

You looking for 1U or 2U?

1U I would say go for this and spec as you prefer.
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/za/e...84217-1784217-12083409-13023612-78128419.html

2U and for capacity and disk space I would say go for this.
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/za/e...84217-1784217-12083433-12596554-77948047.html

I haven't had much dealings with HP/Compaq but reckon they're pretty good.

Dell have far better support in SA though and there products are quite a bit cheaper.

I usally use HP/Compaq in the US and Canada and Dell in SA.

SQL is as simple as moving and mounting databases. Exchange you can just install the new server in the site and move all the roles and mailboxes over. AD is just as simple. Install it, move the FSMO roles over and dcpromo the old server out.

Look on the M$ site for howto's.

Oh, 1 other thing. If you're planning on buying 1 beafy server rather get 2 1U's. Put AD, Exchange and DNS on 1 and AD, SQL and DNS on the other. A certain ammount of redundancy always helps.

I wanted a Dell, but the boss ordered the HP(2u), so nothing can be changed there.
Any idea on exchange migration?

Easy to migrate exchange, if you're already on 2003 simply install your new server. Make it a member server of your domain and install exchange. Move all your mailboxes and then follow this M$ howto. This is removing the first exchange 2003 server from your site.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/822931

Also remember that inbound email will have to be changed as well unless you give the new server the old servers IP.