SBS 2003 - server 2008 and exchange 2010

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Hey guys,

Its my last 2 weeks of work, and my company has decided I should somehow upgrade their exchange/AD environment. I have absolutely no clue about these things so a few questions:

But first the layout

Currently SBS 2003 server, 25 users.
They would like to have 2008 server on 1 machine, then have exchange 2010 on a separate machine.

How do you even go about doing this?
I assume:
Join 2008 server to domain, promote to DC, migrate data across.
I have no clue how to move mail across to the new server.

Would I have to upgrade the SBS server first before the migration?

I know this should be outsourced, I have made it clear it should be. However, they are not convinced, and have decided a networks and firewall guy should be able to do it because "I am technical"
 
I hope you have nice spec servers for the 2008.

you can't have a DC and SBS server on the same domain network.
I would google, there a few migration how too's.

I would load server 2008 on both new servers, then install exchange on one of them.
then follow guides on how to migrate exchange and active directory and data.

If you have not used 2008 or exchange 2007/2010... then I would first say read up on all the changes.
 
This looks like a step by step guide if anyone is interested.
I should be trying this in a few days and will let you know the destruction i have caused :)
 
Very do-able but please, don't rush it. Be methodical and make sure you follow each step accordingly. On the other hand, you have 2 weeks left, go cowboy, I know I would ;o)
 
Yup, you can't have a SBS2003 server running with other servers in the same domain.

You'll have to install Windows Server 2008 on a new server, run dcpromo to create an Active Directory domain controller and then it would be easy to join more Windows 2008 servers.

Install Exchange 2010 on the other domain controller and then inport the data store from the old SBS 2003 server.

Make sure you have detailed Change Management documentation for every step of the process & it's signed off by management.

Good luck!!
 
kingrob said:
Yup, you can't have a SBS2003 server running with other servers in the same domain.
Click to expand...

I don’t totally agree with you on this. You can’t have 2 SBS Server's on the same network the one will reboot every 60min. I have 3 different environments, all with SBS2003 all with Backup DC’s and with mix of Server 2003 and Server 2008 with Exchange 2003 (SBS Version) or 2007 and all sites with 3 or more servers.

It’s not best practise and don’t get me wrong I am no fan of SBS but it is doable.
 
passive said:
I don’t totally agree with you on this. You can’t have 2 SBS Server's on the same network the one will reboot every 60min. I have 3 different environments, all with SBS2003 all with Backup DC’s and with mix of Server 2003 and Server 2008 with Exchange 2003 (SBS Version) or 2007 and all sites with 3 or more servers.

It’s not best practise and don’t get me wrong I am no fan of SBS but it is doable.
Click to expand...

I don't understand why you would be using a SBS server in a proper AD domain networking environment. The mind boggles.

If it's because you can't afford the client licences, you should really consider creating a Linux environment.
 
kingrob said:
I don't understand why you would be using a SBS server in a proper AD domain networking environment. The mind boggles.
Click to expand...

Believe it or not, nor do I...

I am actually very interested in this tread because I am planning to migrate out of SBS 2003 for one of my sites and I have never done this before.

I have however used Jeff Middleton’s sbs migration kit to do a SBS 2003 to different Hardware while keeping same domain name and ip address.

As for linux i am learning something new from it every day with my 7 endian firewall boxes
 
passive said:
Believe it or not, nor do I...

I am actually very interested in this tread because I am planning to migrate out of SBS 2003 for one of my sites and I have never done this before.

I have however used Jeff Middleton’s sbs migration kit to do a SBS 2003 to different Hardware while keeping same domain name and ip address.

As for linux i am learning something new from it every day with my 7 endian firewall boxes
Click to expand...

Glad you're getting up to speed with Linux, it's becoming too dominant in the SA network environment to ignore.

The nice thing about Server 2008 is that you can use it for 6 months before having to put money on the table. So you can practice & muck around as much as you like. Download a copy and start playing. ;)

I think it would actually be a very nice project to start planning for a migration away from SBS. That's always the pitfall with SBS .... you know the 75 user limit & limited network expansion will ALWAYS come to haunt you one day.
 
Update:

I have P2v'd the environment so that I can go crazy.

Setting up a test lab, and will start doing the migration.
The p2v needs to be done as a cold clone (IE boot cd), and takes ages (mine took 12 hours...)

Time to cowboy this stuff.
1 week left at this job :)
 
tau1z said:
Update:

I have P2v'd the environment so that I can go crazy.

Setting up a test lab, and will start doing the migration.
The p2v needs to be done as a cold clone (IE boot cd), and takes ages (mine took 12 hours...)

Time to cowboy this stuff.
1 week left at this job :)
Click to expand...

So if you manage to screw it up.....will they let you go? :)
 
kingrob said:
So if you manage to screw it up.....will they let you go? :)
Click to expand...

if only it was that easy...
I still question the logic of letting a firewall/networks/security guy who hardly touches windows doing an exchange/domain migration.
 
kingrob said:
Glad you're getting up to speed with Linux, it's becoming too dominant in the SA network environment to ignore.

The nice thing about Server 2008 is that you can use it for 6 months before having to put money on the table. So you can practice & muck around as much as you like. Download a copy and start playing. ;)

I think it would actually be a very nice project to start planning for a migration away from SBS. That's always the pitfall with SBS .... you know the 75 user limit & limited network expansion will ALWAYS come to haunt you one day.
Click to expand...

I can see myself moving over in the near future!

It’s a pity the evaluation copies aren’t a 120days anymore. But if I can recall you do get a reset switch (via regedit :) ) for another 60 days and then again for another 60days (3 limit).

A very nice project indeed!
 
passive said:
I can see myself moving over in the near future!

It’s a pity the evaluation copies aren’t a 120days anymore. But if I can recall you do get a reset switch (via regedit :) ) for another 60 days and then again for another 60days (3 limit).

A very nice project indeed!
Click to expand...

No, just click on "Activate Server" and you get 180 days. You obviously need to be connected to the internet for registration to be successful.
 
kingrob said:
You obviously need to be connected to the internet for registration to be successful.
Click to expand...

My servers are running in a VM environment with same domain name and IP config as the rest of my network NO internet access at the moment.
Only option is to Hack, no way I am phoning them.
 
Ok, here is a groovy issue,

The 2003 box is 32 bit.
I need to prepare the schema for exchange 2010.
It mentions I should use the setup.com /pl command
do I use the exchange 2010 cd for this? If so, i have a 32bit/64bit OS issue :(
 
I will be facing the same issue a bit later - need to upgrade us from 32-bit server2003 and exchange2003 to 64-bit exchange2010 and server2008 etc

:sick: not looking forward to it.
 
sigh..

everything virtualized and happy.
Started the installation today after doing the new server prep and updates.
Will see how it goes, dont hold much confidence actually.

I have started making a guide on what i have done, if i get things working will post the steps
 
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