exchange server backup/restore question.

[mcveigh]

I am upgrading 1 exchange server from 2000 to SBS2003, I want to copmletely redo the network, so I don't want to do this as an upgrade but a clean install.

using ntbackup can I backup and restore individual mailboxes?

the other problem is that we use a custom outlook client form with detailed information. I'm not sure where to start to make sure it gets backed up and restored.

any help would be appreciated!

 

[spyordie007]

yes you can do backups and restores of individual mailboxes (and also the entire store), see the whitepaper for more information:
http://support.microsoft.com/support/exch2000/whitepapers/e2kdbrecovery.doc

When we go to Exchange 2003 I plan on bringing in a new server moving the mailboxes to it and than eventually removing the old one (after everyones outlook client updates). I have not done or looked much into backing up 2000 and restoring the backup to 2K3 but I imagine there will be information about it on Microsoft's website (do an exaustive search).

good Luck

 

[spyordie007]

Oh and BTW what do you mean by "use a custom outlook client form with detailed information"?

 

[MysticLlama]

In your situation, I would do an exmerge.

The best way to migrate is to get both servers running at the same time and then moving the mailboxes over, but if you don't have the boxes to do that you need to get the mail data off and put someplace and then back on.

When you do an exmerge, it pulls all of the mailbox data out of the server and puts it into individual .pst files per user. It's really handy for doing recoveries, and it works well for migrations too. You can also set date ranges and stuff if you need to get fancy with it.

 

[mcveigh]

Originally posted by: spyordie007
Oh and BTW what do you mean by "use a custom outlook client form with detailed information"?

we redesigned the default outlook contact page with custom information.

thanks for all the help guys, MS's website has been screwing with me lately and won't let me login to the partners side for support.