Replacing domain controller and exchange box

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infused

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Hi All,

I was wondering about the best way to replace a domain controller and
exchange box while staying live if possible. If not, the shortest down time.
I have one box as the domain controller and exchange box. I want to create a
secondary domain controller to take over the primary role. I wish to build a
seperate box for exchange as well, but the exchange box is normally quite
busy.

So basically I am splitting one box into two. My main concern is the
exchange box.

Suggestions?

Thanks,
 
Re: Replacing domain controller and exchange box

"infused" <infused@infused.com> wrote in message
news:3AA524C3-FE6A-4CB5-B134-ED91658426B4@microsoft.com...
> Hi All,
>
> I was wondering about the best way to replace a domain controller and
> exchange box while staying live if possible. If not, the shortest down
> time. I have one box as the domain controller and exchange box. I want to
> create a secondary domain controller to take over the primary role. I wish
> to build a seperate box for exchange as well, but the exchange box is
> normally quite busy.
>
> So basically I am splitting one box into two. My main concern is the
> exchange box.
>
> Suggestions?
>
> Thanks,

I can't help you with replacing the DC as I have no experience in that. I
have seen articles on the subject, however. It comes down to reassigning the
FSMO roles.

As far as the Exchange server, here is what I had to do recently.

When I came onboard the company I'm currently working for, they had two
exhcange servers: ES1 and ES2. ES2 was a newer box and they had planned on
migrating everything off the first box onto the new box. This task was given
to me when I showed up. I was able to do so while keeping exchange online by
following this KB article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822931

It worked perfectly with no errors. Before I completely removed ES1, I just
unplugged the ES1s NIC and kept it ready to go for a few weeks to make sure
ES2 was functioning properly and no users were complaining of problems.

You may want to ask the gurus over on the Exchange message board(s)
(microsoft.public.exchange.admin) just to get a little more insight based on
the specifics of your situation.

HTH,
Jim
 
Re: Replacing domain controller and exchange box

Hello infused,

Like you said, add a new Machine as second DC, install DNS and DHCP if needed,
make it Global catalog, move the 5 FSMO roles. Change all clients to the
new DNS server.

For Exchange install the new server as a member, Exchange on DC is not recommended
by MS, add it to the exchange site and move mailboxes and pbublic folders
if used to the new machine. Then you have to remove the server according
to the document from MS: Exchange 2000 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307917/
Exchange 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822931/

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
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> Hi All,
>
> I was wondering about the best way to replace a domain controller and
> exchange box while staying live if possible. If not, the shortest down
> time. I have one box as the domain controller and exchange box. I want
> to create a secondary domain controller to take over the primary role.
> I wish to build a seperate box for exchange as well, but the exchange
> box is normally quite busy.
>
> So basically I am splitting one box into two. My main concern is the
> exchange box.
>
> Suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
>
 
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