We currently have a Exchange 2003 server setup on a Windows Server 2003 small business server. Domain controller is running on the same computer.

I have setup a VCenter infrastructure and have created a new network with two VMs running Windows 2012 (Exchange 2013 & Domain)

The current exchange server is live and running with about 30 users.

What is the best route to continue using the existing Domain name?

I want to archive all eixistng mail boxes and start fresh with the exchange 2013 server.

• Edited by Samer1221 13 hours 36 minutes ago
• Moved by Jason Johnston [MSFT]Microsoft employee 13 hours 5 minutes ago Not a development question.

Hi

Im sure you are referring to Exchange 2013? :-)

I would first introduce a 2012 or 2012 R2 DC, move the FSMO roles and upgrade your Domain and forest to support Exchange 2013.

Then you can install Exchange 2010 on another VM and migrate all mailboxes and decommission Exchange 2003 and then install Exchange 2013 CU8 and again migrate the users and decommission Exchange 2010.

Note you cannot install Exchange 2013 with Exchange 2003 still active. There is no direct upgrade path for exchange unless you use 3rd party tools.

Ed,

I'm planning on creating a brand new domain forest for all users, I want to avoid upgrading existing information and start fresh.

Do I need to add any domain roles on the exchange 2013 server ? So basically I want a mailbox created for every domain user.

If I understand what your plan is, you're going to run entirely off of the new virtual DC in a new forest/domain? You'll have to join your existing clients to the new domain then. Once the new DC is up and running, you'll install Exchange on the other new VM (for Exchange).  Not sure what you mean by "add domain roles to the Exchange 2013 server"?  When you install Exchange, it will upgrade the schema first and then install Exchange.  Assuming it's a single Exchange server install, you'll need to install both Exchange roles (CAS and Mailbox).  You can create the users through Exchange, or in AD first and then add mailboxes after the fact.  If you then export the old email into .pst files, you can import that mail into the new mailboxes, or leave them as .pst files and truly start from scratch with their new empty mailboxes.  Let us know if you have any other questions.

Hi Samer1221

As mentioned below you will need to setup a new dc with your new name, join all your clients to the new domain, re-setup your printers and file servers/shares on the new dc and once you have everything setup then introduce Exchange 2013 CU8.

You only need to install the roles/features required for exchange 2013 on the server 2012 or R2 box. do not install exchange on a domain controller.