Hi Any advice / guidance in the right direction appreciated. My company have two domains - one Server 2003 in W2000k mixed mode and one Server 2000 in mixed mode. They have bought two new servers,one for implementation of exchange 2007 (they do not have exchange currently) and one for a new Windows 2003 DC. The company has also changed names following an acquisition. I am assuming the logical path would be to install the new 2003 DC with a new Forest / Domain structure, reflecting the new company name, and then install Exchange into the new domain. The plan is then to create new user accounts in the new domain for local users and migrate users away from the old domain manually, leaving the old domains eventually redundant (there will be a period where resources will be required cross domain). They hope to leave the (remote) 2003 domain in place with the users accessing mailboxes on the new server. This is where I am unsure - if the 2003 servers are different forest / domain structures, can users access an exchange server / mailbox in another forest? Alternatively, can I implement a new structure like below: company.com localdomain exchange localusers remotedomain remoteusers If so, how would I bring the remote users over? I have spent some time in technet and admit to not being able to find anything that enables me to work through a migration / deployment strategy. Thanks Paul

you could build up a new forest but is there really neccesary? why would they need a new forest? by building a new forest and try to move resources over you're in for ride that can be really messy if you dont plan carefully

Hi Lasse I assumed it was necessary if building a new W2003 server (bearnig in mind we want the local users logging into a new domain (and the company has changed name) If the existing domain is computername.companyname.com and I am building a new server, will not the new server need a new name newcomputername.companyname.com or can I build a new domain controller and join it to the existing forest?

you dont need to rename your Active Directory name because your company name change. Active Directory name is strictly something that is used internal, nothing is exposed on the net. you can rename your domain, but that is something that you should not do, carefull planning is a must http://support.microsoft.com/kb/819145/en-us http://support.microsoft.com/kb/842116/en-us You can add a new domain toyour existing Active Directory, but you must keep the old domain live and kicking.