Our current setup as follows: EX01 2010 (hub, transport, mailbox)   EX02 2010 (mailbox)  with dag setup. 

The goal to migrate our environment to 2 2013 servers both having all 3 roles and DAG and CAS array using round robin for failover - to ensure redundancy and High avaliability with minimum down time.

I'm looking for step by step plan.  So far here is what I have:

1. Install server 2012 with Exchange 2013 with mailbox role only

2. Stop DAG replication and dismount databases on EX02 (passive copies) mount databases on EX 2013

3. Stop mailbox role on EX01 and point it to EX 2013

4. Install Transport Role and CAS array (Proxy?) on  EX 2013

5. Stop Transport and CAS services on EX 01 and remove ex 2010 from the environment

6. Install another copy of EX 2013 on separate server and create dag and CAS array between them

This is just a idea that I have and I realize that there are some steps that I'm missing. I would be grateful if some exchange pros would fill in the blanks. Also looking for some good articles to read. The problem is that every environment is different and its hard to find exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you

Hi Alex,

There must be a few major corrections to your plan:
1. You have to install and configure Client Access 2013 role prior (or together with) to Mailbox 2013 role. Exchange 2013 Mailbox role cannot function without CAS 2013 presence.

2. There is no separate Hub Transport role in Exchange 2013, it's going to be ready during other 2 roles (MB, CAS) installation. Also, CAS Array is no longer in use with Exchange 2013.

3. It's best recommended to have your Exchange 2013 MB and CAS up and running prior to removing previous Exchange 2010 servers and even disabling DAG.

You would better review the official guide and correct your plan according to this: Exchange 2013 Deployment Assistan

Agreed with the above points.

Also, Exchange server deployment assistant is your friend while moving from Exchange 2010 to 2013 as, it helps to check all the required prerequisites by covering all the aspects.

You can also check this article that provides step-wise instructions :http://www.petenetlive.com/KB/Article/0000788.htm

Moreover, if you are still concerned about data security, you may also consider on this automated solution (http://www.exchangemailboxmigration.com/) that could be a good alternative approach to get this job done in more hassle-free manner.

Agreed with the above points.

Also, Exchange server deployment assistant is your friend while moving from Exchange 2010 to 2013 as, it helps to check all the required prerequisites by covering all the aspects.

You can also check this article that provides step-wise instructions :http://www.petenetlive.com/KB/Article/0000788.htm

Moreover, if you are still concerned about data security, you may also consider on this automated solution (http://www.exchangemailboxmigration.com/) that could be a good alternative approach to get this job done in more hassle-free manner.

• Marked as answer by RTITDEPT 19 hours 49 minutes ago

Agreed with the above points.

Also, Exchange server deployment assistant is your friend while moving from Exchange 2010 to 2013 as, it helps to check all the required prerequisites by covering all the aspects.

You can also check this article that provides step-wise instructions :http://www.petenetlive.com/KB/Article/0000788.htm

Moreover, if you are still concerned about data security, you may also consider on this automated solution (http://www.exchangemailboxmigration.com/) that could be a good alternative approach to get this job done in more hassle-free manner.

• Marked as answer by RTITDEPT Friday, February 13, 2015 4:00 PM

Thank you for your reply - I thoroughly went thought the Deployment Assistant.  It looks like databases has to be migrated per mailbox. Currently we have 15 databases with roughly 1TB of data. Are users going to experience downtime during the migration ?  Also going forward we would like to implement secondary exchange 2013 with all roles + DAG - is there any planning I should do while installing 1st exchange 2013 ?

Thanks Allen - I found the article you provided to be very helpful - its probably the most thorough step by step guide out there.