Hello, I've been in the planning phase of migrating our company from a single Exchange 2003 server (no FE/BE setup) to Exchange 2010. However, with 2013 coming out & our Software Assurance, I'm looking at moving us to 2013. Throw caution to the wind! I have two questions: 1. I'm aware that there's no co-existence with 2003, so standing up a parallel 2013 and migrating will not work. So, is it recommended to just go to 2010 first, wait for SP3 & then go to 2013? 2. I'm also looking to up our AD to functional level 2012. Right now, we're functional level 2008. Any issues upping AD to 2012 with an Exchange 2003 environment? I think there's 1-2 legacy servers running windows 2000 still. I don't really care if they wither and die on the vine...but just the knowledge of it functioning in AD 2012 would be helpful. I've browsed around and can't seem to find anyone answering these...so far. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Andrew

Hi Andrew, 1, Yes, please upgrade to Exchange 2010 first, then please wait for Exchange 2010 SP3 and migrate to Exchange 2013. 2, I would suggest you don't update the Domain and forest functional level at the moment. According to Exchange Server Supportability Matrix, Windows server 2012 domian/forest functional level is not supported yet. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff728623.aspx Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com. Frank Wang TechNet Community Support

for the first one.. Yes.. the migration will be from exchange 2003 sp2 to exchange 2010 sp3 and from exchange 2010 sp3 to exchange 2013. for the second one.. It is better to wait till you move your exchange server 2003 to exchange 2010, once completed and verified.. upgrade you active directory from 2008 to 2012

Hi Andrew, Any updates?Frank Wang TechNet Community Support