I currently have an exchange 2003 server running on a Windows 2003 member server in a Windows 2000 AD domain. There is currently only one exchange (front-/back) on the network. I goal is to migrate to a new exchange 2003 server consisting of both separate a front-end server and the databases on a back-end. Which server should be configured and placed in the domain first?

Hi, You should configure the backend exchange server firstly. Then, add another exchange to the domain and convert it to front-end server. For more detailed information regarding Front-End/Back-End configuration, please download the document from the following site: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=E64666FC-42B7-48A1-AB85-3C8327D77B70&displaylang=en Mike

So this will in no way effect the current exchange server with the flow of email since there will now be two exchange servers in the same domain. The new exchange server will have a different name though.