Anyone done this before and have recommended steps?

I want to upgrade from Exchange 2010 in hybrid mode, to Exchange 2013 and then remove the hybrid links. We only need on-premise Exchange to keep our AD in good shape for synchronizing with Office 365 (DirSync no ADFS).

We have moved all of our mailboxes to Office 365 and the hybrid mode is now redundant. I can see why Active Directory needs an on-premise Exchange server, so we'll move to Exchange 2013 on a new box (license without mailboxes, as provided by MS).

• We have a single domain AD structure with a single Exchange server.
• Mail flow is cloud only.

Can I simply install Exch 2012 on new server to upgrade AD schema?

• Moved by Jason Johnston [MSFT]Microsoft employee Tuesday, August 04, 2015 3:22 PM Not a development question.

My apologies Jason. Please post the link and I'll be keen to follow it up.

Or am I looking at the moved thread already?

• Edited by mnorfolk Tuesday, August 04, 2015 6:55 PM updated

Assuming we're in the right place...

I have checked this article and should be ready to proceed..
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh534377%28v=exchg.150%29.aspx

I have downloaded Exchange Server 2013 CU2 from here...
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh534377%28v=exchg.150%29.aspx
This file is the full installer for Exchange 2013.

I have applied for a free license key for Exchange Server 2013 - no mailbox version - designed specifically for this purpose... (can't find the link for this one)

And I have this link to the Exchange Server Deployment Assistant...
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/exdeploy2013/Checklist?state=2419-W-AAAAAAAAQAAAAAEAAAAAAAA~

• Edited by mnorfolk Tuesday, August 04, 2015 7:06 PM correcting accuracy

Thanks Allen, that is a good article that shows me the syntax of the command. But I'm getting an error trying to update the Schema - should I forget the Schema and go straight to Setup /PrepareAD ?

My Exchange setup command line is

Setup.exe /PrepareSchema /DomainController:SERVERNAME /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms /TenantOrganizationConfig:C:\MyTenantOrganizationConfig.xml

And the error I get is...

Welcome to the Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 2 Unattended Setup
The parameter 'tenantorganizationconfig' is not valid for current operation 'PrepareSchema'.
Setup checks failed: Invalid command line arguments.

• Edited by mnorfolk 16 hours 53 minutes ago improve accuracy

I have connected to my O365 tenant and checked that it is v15.1 and I have downloaded the Organization Config XML file.

I have also checked all the prerequisites on the new Windows Server 2008 R2, according to this web page...

https://technet.microsoft.com/library/bb691354%28EXCHG.150%29#WS2012MBX

Thanks Allen, that is a good article that shows me the syntax of the command. But I'm getting an error trying to update the Schema - should I forget the Schema and go straight to Setup /PrepareAD ?

My Exchange setup command line is

Setup.exe /PrepareSchema /DomainController:SERVERNAME /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms /TenantOrganizationConfig:C:\MyTenantOrganizationConfig.xml

And the error I get is...

Welcome to the Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 2 Unattended Setup
The parameter 'tenantorganizationconfig' is not valid for current operation 'PrepareSchema'.
Setup checks failed: Invalid command line arguments.

• Edited by mnorfolk Friday, August 07, 2015 2:37 PM improve accuracy

So, to answer my own question, I have jumped to PrepareAD (and avoided the problem running "Setup.exe /PrepareSchema" ), because this article suggests that it can be done...

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb125224%28v=exchg.150%29.aspx

Here's the full command that I used...

Setup.exe /PrepareAD /DomainController:SERVERNAME /OrganizationName:OurExchOrgName /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms /TenantOganizationConfig:C:\MyTenantOrganizationCocnfig.xml

And after about 5 minutes, it is successful, showing this (verbose text removed)...

Prerequisite Analysis 100% COMPLETED
...
Configuring Microsoft Exchange Server
Organization Preparation COMPLETED
The Exchange Server setup operation completed successfully.

Now I'll let it sync between DCs for a day.

• Edited by mnorfolk 12 hours 14 minutes ago correct typo

So, to answer my own question, I have jumped to PrepareAD (and avoided the problem running "Setup.exe /PrepareSchema" ), because this article suggests that it can be done...

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb125224%28v=exchg.150%29.aspx

Here's the full command that I used...

Setup.exe /PrepareAD /DomainController:SERVERNAME /OrganizationName:OurExchOrgName /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms /TenantOganizationConfig:C:\MyTenantOrganizationCocnfig.xml

And after about 5 minutes, it is successful, showing this (verbose text removed)...

Prerequisite Analysis 100% COMPLETED
...
Configuring Microsoft Exchange Server
Organization Preparation COMPLETED
The Exchange Server setup operation completed successfully.

Now I'll let it sync between DCs for a day.

• Edited by mnorfolk Friday, August 07, 2015 7:16 PM correct typo