Exchange 2003 and Server 2008 R2 domain/forest function levels
I am looking to upgrade the domain controllers in our lab to Windows Server 2008 R2 from Server 2003. Are there any issues in relation to the domain and forest function levels if I do not have the resoucres to upgrade the Exchange 2003 that is installed on a member server? Any help would be appreciated as I haven't seen anything out on the net in regards to this.
September 2nd, 2009 11:17pm
The latest support info relates only to Windows 2008 DCs. No mention of 2008 R2 DCs and Exchange 2003.http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2007/08/16/446709.aspxI suspect you wont find much since Exch 2003 is out of mainstream support. But since its a lab...
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September 3rd, 2009 1:14am
Hi,In addition to Andy, please understand that the Exchange 2007 start to support for Windows Server 2008 R2 Domain Controllers in the environment since Service Pack 1 Rollup 9.
For your reference:
Update Rollup 9 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 has been released
http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2009/07/17/451835.aspx
As Exchange 2003 is out of mainstream support, I do not find any official document regarding Exchange 2003 and Server 2008 R2 Doman Controller, we cannot guarantee that Exchange 2003 will work correctly in a Windows 2008 R2 functional level domain.
Other information:
Exchange 2007 SP2 Setup fails if all domain controllers are running Windows Server 2008 R2
http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2009/09/02/452284.aspx
Mike Shen
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September 3rd, 2009 10:18am
Hi, After some further research, I think the Windows Server 2008 R2 AD is not supported for Exchange 2003. For your reference:
Exchange Server Supportability Matrixhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee338574.aspxThanks,Mike
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September 3rd, 2009 11:09am
Thanks for the link. It was precisely what I was looking for and prevented me from going down the wrong path. That also answered the same questions we will have with an Exchange 2007 lab as well. Brian
September 3rd, 2009 11:33pm
According to this matrix Exchange 2003 SP2 is supported with 2008 R2 DC's including the functional level of both the forest and domain, so I don't understand why you sent this link saying that it's NOT supported?
Please clarify...thank you!
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July 7th, 2011 1:40am
The supportability matrix at
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dbac2d40-da8b-469f-a265-1d1f948fe446(EXCHG.141).aspx clearly states that Exchange 2003 SP2 supports all AD server versions from Windows 2000 Server SP4 Active Directory servers to Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
Active Directory servers. It also states that all forest and domain functional levels from Windows 2000 Server mixed domain functional level to Windows Server 2008 R2 forest functional level are supportedBrian Reid C7 Solutions Ltd (www.c7solutions.com)
March 1st, 2012 7:07am