Here is my existing environment:
NT4 (SP6a) with Exchange 5.5 (SP3), server is BDC.

New environment:
Same OS, same software, same SP level. Only difference is now the computer name is xxxxxx, instead of xxxx. And while I am at it, the server will be installed as a member server, not BDC.

Here is my plan:
(1) Get/borrow a machine, install OS and exchange, exact same level as the original one.
(2) Join this machine to the same site.
(3) Move all mailboxes, replicate public folders, etc, to new temp server
(4) Do whatever I need to do to bring the temp machine on line.
(4) Remove original machine and reintsall with new computer name
(5) Join the newly reinstall machine to the site.
(6) Move everything back from Temp machine to the newly reintsall server
(7) disconnect Temp machine

I am aware of the procdures outline by Micorosft as what to expect and what to do to remove first machine from a site.

Can anyone think of a better way than the above? From what I gather, it takes around an hour to move 1GB of data. Any different opinion? Or better yet, give me some lines that I can use to talk management out of it.

Thank you.

"This is stupid"

Seriously though, tell them that this can be done but it will take more research and work than it's worth (unless they have a sound business or technical reason for doing this). Seeing as how you are the one who has to do the dirty work, be a pain about it and don't let them bully you into doing something that if not done properly could cause more harm than it's worth.

On another note, did Microsoft confirm to you that changing Netbios names will cause LDAP to malfunction? What suggestions do they give?

Cheers!

Your plan seems good to me, remember to wait for the profiles to get redirected to the new server at each stage, otherwise you'll be spending all your time wandering around manually repointing them. I'd tell management this will take about three months and about twenty hours of overtime, that should help to can the project.

What is the justification for doing this?

Pat.

Another note, I am pushing to get another existing server(wish me luck) , use it as the machine for step 1 and do not migrate it back to the original. After everything is synchronized, take the original off-line. Then change the IP on the new machine to the same as the original one.

I can't think of any problem by just changing the IP address on a server, Exchange or not. Agree or disagree?

Cheers!

Pat.