Hi Everyone,I have successfully setup Exchange 2003 and Exchange 2007 on different machines and both are working fine.I have to upgrade the Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007 and I need suggestions for a smooth transition. This is how my Exchange 2003 is setup:-Active Directory is setup on a seperate server.-Exchange 2003 backend server is setup in cluster.-Exchange 2003 frontend server is setup on another machine that is not the part of cluster. I have made it seperate from backend to minimize the load on backend server.So now my existing setup consists of :-Server1 running Active Directory-Server2 running Exchange 2003 backend server (Cluster is currently running a single node. Will add node to it later)-Server3 running Exchange 2003 frontend server.As I want to run Exchange 2007 in coexistence with Exchange 2003 so I need the suggestions from you guys that what should be the best way to setup Exchange 2007's server roles? What I think is that I should deploy Exchange 2007 mailbox role on Server2 and Hub, CAS and Edge roles on Server3. Please guide me so that I can start the setup.Thanks,WebScHoLaR

Keeping in mind that you can't "upgrade" to exchange 2007; are you looking for advice on the logistics of preserving mailboxes while you shuffle these 3 servers around? Some other questions so that we may providea better response: How many users do you have? How do they connect? OWA, RPC~HTTP, MAPI, Etc How big are your data store(s)? What is acceptable downtime? Are all 3 of these machines new, and equally ready to support any role of Exchange 2007? Do you have any 3rd party software or appliance or service examining mail before it gets to your exchange infrastructure? In the mean time, here is some reading: Exchange Server 2007 Deployment: 10 Tips When Installing http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996011.aspx. Preparing to Deploy Exchange 2007 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa995902.aspx Planning and Architecture http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998636.aspx

Hi,Currently the Exchange 2003 is setup in our Organization and it is working perfectly. We now want to move the existing setup to Exchange 2007. I was reading articles on how transition from exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007 can be made and I want the advice that what should be the way for a smooth transition from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007. Code Block How many users do you have?I have around 500~700 users. Code Block How do they connect? OWA, RPC~HTTP, MAPI, EtcThe users usually use Outlook 2003 and very rarely Outlook Web interface. Code Block How big are your data store(s)?Around 15GB. Code Block What is acceptable downtime?Is there any downtime involved? From what I have read so far, I am able understand that we can have almost zero downtime by running Exchange 2007 in coexistence with Exchange 2003 unless we move all the mailboxes and other things to Exchange 2007. Code Block Are all 3 of these machines new, and equally ready to support any role of Exchange 2007?No, these three machines are not new. These three machines are running the same setup from years. Code Block Do you have any 3rd party software or appliance or service examining mail before it gets to your exchange infrastructure?We are using trend Micro Suite for internet emails. This is deployed on a seperate machnies so the internet traffic first comes to thie machine and after scanning it is delivered to the exchange front end server.Thanks,WebScHoLaR

I'm still unsure about one thing: Your final exchange deployment is going to exist on the same 3 machines? Or are you buying new machines? If you are limited to 3 machines, and we dont need to work out the details of the upgrade impossibilities (cant upgrade, must migrate) using the same hardware, I might consider clustering the two back end servers and having hub transport on the 3rd box. Edge transport isnt necessary since you have the 3rd party software, and you made no mention of unified messaging.

Hi Mike,I don't wanna disturb the machine runing Active Directory but the other two can be modified and Im not really limited to these three machines.I just need suggestions on how to have my organization use Exchange 2007 instead of Exchange 2003 and all the mailboxes and stores can be transferred to Exchange 2007. Also I may use the Edge Transport role so you can advise me regarding that too. My Current setup has one machine running Exchange 2003 backend server and another server running Exchange 2003 Frontend server so do I have to setup two new servers one running Exchange 2007 having Mailbox role replacing Exchange 2003 backend server and second new server running Exchange 2007 having CAS,Hub role replacing Exchange 2003 Frontend role?WebScHoLaR