Exchange 2k3 Org consolidation (Full Version)

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jcassianna -> Exchange 2k3 Org consolidation (24.Jun.2008 1:49:56 PM)

Need some expert advice from the best Exchange tech site around ;)

I have two seperate Exchange 2k3 Orgs that are in two seperate domains.  The only way the domains know about each other is through a two way forest transitive trust.  I need to consolidate one of the Exchange Orgs into the other while keeping the consolidated domain in tact.  Basically, I want eliminate one of the actual Exchange servers but, not effect the Exchange Org by consolidating it into the other Exchange Org.

Is this possible?  I know that moving a mailbox to another server only works if the admin group is in the same org.  It has to be possible though because an acquisition would put many companies in this situation.  How can this be done?

Thanks.



Sembee -> RE: Exchange 2k3 Org consolidation (24.Jun.2008 2:14:53 PM)

Cross org migration is an Exchange 2007 feature.
You only have one option - exmerge.

You will need to create an account in the domain with Exchange in it (the one you are keeping I mean). Then set the permissions for the users in the other domain to access their mailboxes.
Exmerge the data out to PST files, move the files and then exmerge the data in.
Each machine will have to be visited to change the Outlook configuration, or you will have to push the new settings with a script.

There are third party tools that can do most of the above, but those are only worth it once you get above 500 users.

Simon.



jcassianna -> RE: Exchange 2k3 Org consolidation (24.Jun.2008 2:25:25 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sembee

Cross org migration is an Exchange 2007 feature.
You only have one option - exmerge.

You will need to create an account in the domain with Exchange in it (the one you are keeping I mean). Then set the permissions for the users in the other domain to access their mailboxes.
Exmerge the data out to PST files, move the files and then exmerge the data in.
Each machine will have to be visited to change the Outlook configuration, or you will have to push the new settings with a script.

There are third party tools that can do most of the above, but those are only worth it once you get above 500 users.

Simon.


Thanks for the info.  I had a feeling the process was somewhat like this.  We have fewer than 500 mailboxes so...

Is there anyway to eliminate downtime for email delivery during the exmerge process?  Can inbound smtp still be recieved in the new mailbox during the mailbox move to the new org?  I ask because I have a handful of mailboxes with outragious sizes (50 gigs+) so exmerge will take some time.



jcassianna -> RE: Exchange 2k3 Org consolidation (24.Jun.2008 3:26:38 PM)

By the way, should I exmerge into a new Admin Group on the new Exchange Org?  Or should I do it into the existing?  I'd rather keep them seperate if possible.



Sembee -> RE: Exchange 2k3 Org consolidation (24.Jun.2008 5:21:11 PM)

50gb mailboxes?
You are going to have a problem. Exmerge will only cope with 2gb PST files. You will end up with 25 PST files to be imported.

As for the import - where you import it to doesn't really matter. You choose where the data imports to - by your placing of the mailboxes.

Once the SMTP accounts are created, move the MX records. The import can occur while users are on the server. The users will just see the email appear in the mailbox.

Simon.



jcassianna -> RE: Exchange 2k3 Org consolidation (24.Jun.2008 5:23:19 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sembee

50gb mailboxes?
You are going to have a problem. Exmerge will only cope with 2gb PST files. You will end up with 25 PST files to be imported.

As for the import - where you import it to doesn't really matter. You choose where the data imports to - by your placing of the mailboxes.

Once the SMTP accounts are created, move the MX records. The import can occur while users are on the server. The users will just see the email appear in the mailbox.

Simon.



SHOOOT!  Totally forgot about the 2gb limit on PSTs.

Thanks for the reminder.



uemurad -> RE: Exchange 2k3 Org consolidation (24.Jun.2008 5:36:32 PM)

If you're Mailbox Store is still active, you can either use Outlook to export the mailboxes to PST (you'll need to also use Outlook to import them), or you can try this idea from Glen Scales. 



jcassianna -> RE: Exchange 2k3 Org consolidation (24.Jun.2008 8:25:28 PM)

According to a technet forum, the 2gig PST limit may only apply to the unicode PST which supposedly exmerge doesn't use.  I'm gonna give it a try.



uemurad -> RE: Exchange 2k3 Org consolidation (24.Jun.2008 9:14:54 PM)

Actually it's the opposite.  It's the unicode PST that allows you to go beyond 2GB and that's why ExMerge can't create one any larger.  Outlook 2003 and 2007 can.



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