Exchange2003 woes

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The_Unbeliever

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Hey guys. Our windows server2003 box (hosting both exchange and AD - pdc) is starting to give issues. Serious big-time issues.

So anyway, I want to reinstall server2003 and exchange2003 on another box, and replace that ailing server with the fresh install. What will the best way to do this be?

Thanks in advance.

Regards

Ook
 
backup AD in full
backup all files users leave on there (the little bastards horde, so watch out)
backup exchange 2003 in full

re-do the other server with the *exact* settings you used for the previous one (in terms of domain name,service pack used etc)
restore AD
restore exchange 2003 backup
test everything (if anything changed you'd have to manually link the mailboxes with the new AD accounts)
restore the files
get a bottle of hose quervo tequila black
drink to forget the moment ever happen
 
I am not an MS guy, but recent tasks seem to have pointed to the idea of installing new box, dc promo, move roles across, then decom old box.
Could be way off mark here
 
personally i think its easier to install a second exchange machine(or convert the current one to a VM) and then move the mailboxes and AD roles over while both servers alive.
then decommission the old one. minimum DT.
 
Tsimo said:
personally i think its easier to install a second exchange machine(or convert the current one to a VM) and then move the mailboxes and AD roles over while both servers alive.
then decommission the old one. minimum DT.
Click to expand...

Yes, this will be the best and easiest way
 
i have done it before and have yet to have problems. but i suppose in the wide and wonderful world there are many possible issues.
 
My one piece of advice, do a lot of reading on the decommissioning, if you miss something and later on the old server isn't available, you will have some long nights ahead of you. VM-ing the server, for me, is the best way. That way you never have to worry about hardware upgrades again.
 
AcidRaZor said:
backup AD in full
backup all files users leave on there (the little bastards horde, so watch out)
backup exchange 2003 in full

re-do the other server with the *exact* settings you used for the previous one (in terms of domain name,service pack used etc)
restore AD
restore exchange 2003 backup
test everything (if anything changed you'd have to manually link the mailboxes with the new AD accounts)
restore the files
get a bottle of hose quervo tequila black
drink to forget the moment ever happen
Click to expand...

In my opinion this is not the best way. It also depends how large the environment is and the problems (OS/AD/Hardware) you are facing? I have also had to rebuild a few exchange servers and AD servers and relying on a backup/restore to succeed is risky.

Backups are exactly that, a last resort. If you can install another server and migrate that would be best. If you are going to rebuild, you might as well rebuild from scratch and not restore AD, just import the users and the mailboxes, at least that way everything is done from scratch and its setup the way you want it.

But again, it depends on the size and complexity of the environment.
 
Thanks

Have decided to go the rebuild way. Got a spare server, will install win2k3 on it, promote to DC, make sure everything's the same as the original server.

Then Exchange2003 installation - with all the service packs - and again, the same as the original server.

Then do a backup of AD, restore on new server.

Then backup of Exchange, restore on new server. (Will it also work if I just copy the *.edb and *.stm files over?)

I have decided to do the above, but leave the server running for a day or two and check for any funnies before committing.
 
Howdy,

easiest solution:

install a new DC (restore the users form a backup or re-create from scratch - it doesn't matter)
install a new exchange server (call it what you want)
create a a new IS and mount it.
create the mailboxes. (same names or not, it doesn't matter)
now create a "Recovery Storage Group" information store.
restore your Exchange backup into the "RSG"
now move the mailboxes from the RSG into the live IS.
voilah.

MS designed "recovery storage groups" for this purpose
 
AcidRaZor said:
backup all files users leave on there (the little bastards horde, so watch out)
Click to expand...
Bugger me, if ever there was a true statement, this is it. And remember, they do it over years.... I swear I could cry...
 
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