We currently have a empty root domain and multiple child domains. All domain controllers are running Windows 2003 Sp2 32-bit. No existing exchange in our environment. We are planning to install the Exchange servers in a child domain.Are the below steps correct if we wanted to extend our schema offline.requirements on the schema master: powershell, .net 2.0 with updates, MMC 3.0have 32 bit trial version of Exchange 2007 available1. Take the DC with Schema Master off the network2. run setup.com /prepareschema3. review log file. If all looks good, plug the server back onto the network3. let the changes replicate to all root domain controllers then proceed to next step.4. unplug server from the domain4. run setup.com /preparead.*Does the server have to be on the network to perform preparead...i.e. does it need to communicate with the child domains at this time?*We want to be able to install Exchange in a child domain, but according to this http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb125224(EXCHG.80).aspx, section 3, it appears that all the object will be created under the root domain. Will the "preparead" objects always going to be configured in the root domain, no matter what child domain you use to join the exchange servers to?5. review log file. If all looks good, plug the server back onto the network6. let the changes replicate to all root and child domains?7. Run setup.com /preparealldomains8. review logs and check replication9. completeAny help or clarification would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.

Not sure if this is good idea. If you are worried about what Exchange will do when you extend your schema then take a good system state backup. Not sure what you are trying to accomplish or avoid in this question.

Hi, The schema is part of the Schema partition in Active Directory and the Schema partition will be replicated through all Active Directory domain controllers in the Forest. We recommend you to use Forest Schema Master for expanding the Schema for Exchange Server 2007 so that it can replicate changes throughout AD forest. You can check schema master via Active Directory Schema snap-in Identify the schema master http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755631.aspx From your post, I note that you are going to install Exchange Server 2007 sp1 32-bit,if you want to validate Exchange Server 2007 sp1,then I recommned you to install Exchange Server 2007 sp1 in a virtualized environment. You can use Virtual Server 2005 to simulate your network environment. Besides,what is your concern on extending schema offline? Related information share with you: How Exchange Server 2007 Extends the Active Directory Schema http://www.msexchange.org/articles_tutorials/exchange-server-2007/planning-architecture/Exchange-server-2007-extends-active-directory-schema.html Download Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 today http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/bb738033.aspx Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP1 VHD - 32-bit version http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=43621a8f-12fb-4e7c-bb38-1cbb6ef272c5&displaylang=en Hope it helps. Xiu

We are planning to use Exchange 2007 x64 bit for production, but from what I read, if we have Windows 2003 32 bit Domain Controllers in place, and want to run the setup.com /prepareschema, setup.com /preparead, and setup.com /preparealldomains separately, then we will need to run the setup.com from a 32 bit version of Exchange (i.e. trial edition). Our goal is two folds, prepare the domains separately and then at a later date install Exchange 2007 64 bit on a Windows 2008 server in one of the child domains. Do we have to run the setup.com /preparedomain in only the child domain in which we are planning to install Exchange 2007 64 bit, or should we go ahead and run setup.com /preparealldomains and prepare all child domains?

Hi, The Schema Extensions are the same for the 32 bit and 64 bit versions. From http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996719.aspx we found: It is supported to use Setup.com to prepare ActiveDirectory and domains for Exchange2007 from a computer that has a 32-bit processor. When you install Exchange Server in child domain, then you may need to wait for the changes to replicate across your Exchange organization. You can run setup /PrepareAllDomains or setup /pad to prepare all domains in your organization Besides, we recommend you to install Exchange Server 2007 with account has domain administrative privilege. Then ExchangeServer2007Setup wizard will automatically prepare ActiveDirectory and the domain when you use this account. How to Prepare Active Directory and Domains http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/bb125224.aspx Related article that I found for your reference: http://aehrensing.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!639CC8C48FA591F9!662.entry Important Note: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information. Hope it helps. Xiu