I have done a clean install of Exchange 2007 on a new server (windows 2003) and need to safely migrate / clone / move (pick a verb) all existing email accounts, contacts, and exchange settings from the old server to the new one. The two servers have diverse enough hardware to eliminate ntbackup / restore as a possible solution. Please do not refer me solely to KB articles, I am not en Exchange guru and cannot afford to screw this up because I misreadone of Microsoft'sobtuse or overly-wordy articles online. What I desperately needare plain english, step-by-step instructions from someone who has done this before, even a blog post with same would be great. Thanks for any help

I'd be glad to help. Let me first ensure I understand your request. The server you're describing, is that the source or the target? If it's the target, are both of these servers (new and old) in the same Domain?If you just add another windows server to the domain and install exchange on it, this will automatically inherit many of the necessary settings from active directory. you then simply move mailboxes using the move-mailbox command.Mike Crowley: MCT, MCSE, MCTS, MCITP: Enterprise Administrator / Messaging Administrator

Hi, Please understand the Microsoft document is the standard steps, we need to do the operations based on the article due to that process is so complicated. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb332343.aspx Thanks Allen

Hi gentlemen, Thank you both for your help. Unfortunately, I now have a bigger issue at hand. Upper management has decided that they don't want Exchange 2007 after all. Instead, the manager who swore up and down that we needed Exchange 2007 has "moved on." New managment now wants to migrate back to using exchange 2003 since it was stable to begin with... Go figure... Once again, the "Business Side" of the company is making IT decisions contrary to the IT Department's recommendations... Welcome to Amerika. So... with that in mind. Is it even possible to backup end user email accounts and settingsand migrate them all backward to Exchange 2003? If so, how? Thanks again

I'm still unsure the exact state you were in, but the way to upgrade from Exchange 2003 to 2007 was to simply move mailboxes and then remove 2003 elements. How far have you gotten into this process? Depending on where you're at will determine what needs to be reversed. Generally, just move the mailboxes back. BUT: I'm getting the feeling this is not how you got to an Exchange 2007 environment. Can you please elaborate on your overall procedures?Mike Crowley: MCT, MCSE, MCTS, MCITP: Enterprise Administrator / Messaging Administrator

Hi Mike,It's fairly simple...The business side wants to get rid of Exchange 2007 alltogether now. I'm supposed to find a means of moving everyone's email accounts, settings, etc... from an Exchange 2007 server back to an Exchange 2003 server.This is a case of Reverse or perhaps Backward migration... I'm not certain what to call this other than a huge headache. :)Thanks again for your help.

Hi,Moving to Exchange 2007 or back to Exchange 2003 is the same process in reverse, as Mike has mentioned. I presume from what has already been discussed that you are part of the way moving to exchange 2007 and have suffered continuity issues or problems as a result?Exchange 2007 is a stable platform and as long as you plan for the migration, there should be little difficulty. Therefore your move back to Exchange 2003 (single server) is likely to be as troublesome if rushed.I would suggest that if you have licensing for Ex2007 and are already part of the way, that you have a word with your management, sit back, plan, learn and then complete the implementation.Having said that, if the environment is wrong, which it sounds like it might be. The move back to Exchange 2003 can be done by moving all mailboxes back to the 2003 server, ensuring mail retrieval (smtp) is pointed back to the old server, removing connectors etc and then removing the ex2007 server. In order to advise on this, you would have to provide more information on exactly what state you are running in. IE what state the Ex2003 and 2007 servers are sitting in.