How Do You Move An Exchange Store To A New SBS2003 Server?

[Andy Marston]

Originally posted in the exchange forum. Persuaded by LanWench to
repost here.

On Dec 7, 3:59 pm, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

> > Hi all,

> > I am in the process of upgrading my SBS2003 Standard Server.

> From what? If you mean you're installing SBS2003 on a new server and want to
> migrate all your data, you are much better off doing a 'swing migration' -
> check outwww.sbsmigration.comfor more info. This is much easier. Also,
> since you're using SBS, it's best to post in
> microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs, even if it's also necessary to
> crosspost to the Exchange groups. SBS does many things its own way.

> > I have
> > completed all the pre-requisite setups on the new server, and now need
> > to move the Echange store from the old server, to the new one. How is
> > it done?

> Exmerge.

> > The new server has a different name.

> Yep - you can't just mount the existing stores.

> > Both are running SBS2003
> > Std. I have Acronis Recovery for exchange installed on both systems.

> If you used Acronis True Image Echo with Universal Restore you could've just
> cloned the existing server onto the new one, even without the exchange
> addin.

> > Many thanks,
> > Andy.

> Since

Hi LanWench,

To the rescue again - Thank You :)

The reason for a new SBS Server, in addition to the upgraded hardware
(I had a Dell 2950 sitting there doing nothing - as you do), is
because I *know* I had a configuration error on the original server.
Exchange would not for instance, deliver (or should I say show) all
messages when it was in cached mode, so I decided to use the Dell
2950
in place of the existing Dell 1900 (which will be promoted to a
Storage Server). The new server gives me hot swappable SAS drives
with
a dedicated spare, and dual PSU's etc. I made sure the new server was
configured correctly. There wasn't an awfull lot of data on the old
server, and I know if I don't need the existing email (there are only
2 email accounts anyway), I can just configure the server to pull in
the emails direct using the POP Connector from the ISP. However, I'm
one for curiosity, and if I can retain the existing email and
transfer
it to the new server, then it will be a lot better for me.

I will post this whole section into the SBS group.

Many thanks once again,
Andy.

[Robbin Meng [MSFT]]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your posting here and also thanks for Lanwench's good suggestion.

I also agree that using Exmerge tool is a good idea especially if the mail
store database is not big so that you can export from old SBS server to PST
file and import to new database store. Meanwhile, here is an good article
which help you to migrate SBS 2003 server Exchange server mailboxes to new
hardware:

Migrating Windows Small Business Server 2003 to New Hardware
<http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServerSolutions/SBS/en/library/a340742
f-042e-48da-b865-5244bee1000f1033.mspx?mfr=true>

Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Transition Pack
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc720019.aspx

Hope this helps. Also, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not
hesitate to let me know.

Thanks for your earlier feedback!

Best regards,
Robbin Meng(MSFT)
Microsoft CSS Online Newsgroup Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

[Andy Marston]

On Dec 8, 1:24 pm, v-rob...@online.microsoft.com ("Robbin Meng

[MSFT]") wrote:
> Hi Andy,
>
> Thanks for your posting here and also thanks for Lanwench's good suggestion.
>
> I also agree that using Exmerge tool is a good idea especially if the mail
> store database is not big so that you can export from old SBS server to PST
> file and import to new database store. Meanwhile, here is an good article
> which help you to migrate SBS 2003 server Exchange server mailboxes  to new
> hardware:
>
> Migrating Windows Small Business Server 2003 to New Hardware

> <http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServerSolutions/SBS/en/library/a...
> f-042e-48da-b865-5244bee1000f1033.mspx?mfr=true>
>
> Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Transition Packhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc720019.aspx

>
> Hope this helps. Also, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not
> hesitate to let me know.
>
> Thanks for your earlier feedback!
>
> Best regards,
> Robbin Meng(MSFT)
> Microsoft CSS Online Newsgroup Support
> Get Secure! -www.microsoft.com/security

Thanks to both Lanwench and to Robbin.

I used the EXMERGE option, as there were only a few mail boxes to
transfer. The process went without any glitches at all. I was actually
surprised at how easy it went, and was expecting some sort of error to
gave occurred!

It's so nice when something runs as it should.

Andy

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Glad to hear you got it working. Exmerge is indeed handy.

[Robbin Meng [MSFT]]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for writing back to me. I'm glad to know the issue is resolved.

As Exmerge tool is mainly email oriented we can use it to export/import
emails and avoid complicated communications between Exchange storage and AD
objects during information store movement. Sometimes what we need is just
a/another try and things are not as difficult as we suppose. :-)

Considering the issue had been resolved, to help other people from our
experience, I would like to make a summary here. If you have any further
concerns with this issue, feel free to let me know.

Problem Description:
===================
Trying to install SBS 2003 on a new server and want to migrate all old data.

Resolution:
===================
Simply use Exmerge to transfer all emails between old and new servers
instead of using 3rd party migration solution.

Here are some Exmerge and SBS 2003 server articles just for your reference:

Support WebCast: Microsoft Exchange Mailbox Merge Program (Exmerge) Support
Utilities
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324809/en-us

Microsoft Exchange Mailbox Merge program (Exmerge.exe) information
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/174197/en-us

Backing Up and Restoring Windows Small Business Server 2003
https://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/smallbusiness/prodtech/SBS/backup
_restore_sbs2003.mspx

Moving Data Folders for Windows Small Business Server 2003
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=a1d0af69-1287-4225-
bd8b-59c89f44984b&displaylang=en

Again, thank you for posting in the SBS newsgroups. Please feel free to
contact us again in the future.

Have a nice day!

Sincerely,
Robbin Meng
Microsoft Online Newsgroup Support