Move SBS 2003 installation to a new server.

Hi,

It's not a particularly fun task, but there is a complete description on here (you don't actually have to buy the product they're selling but it would certainly make life easier depending on how happy you are doing it):

http://www.sbsmigration.com/migration-projects.php

There aren't all that many ways to move from one SBS server to another, but this one has the advantage of being tried and tested.

Chris

I don't understand anything that's on this site..
do I have to have 3 servers in total (the old SBS2003, new SBS2003 and a Temp DC?)
is there a free place that explains the same stuff?

the parts I don't get are those:

-- Replicate DNS and AD then shutdown and disconnect
-- Purge the Active Directory metabase and DNS of all previous Domain Controllers, Exchange and DNS Server references

New SBS:
-- Replicate DNS and AD <-- I guess I'm replicating these from the TempDC, but how?
-- Complete the balance of migration of Exchange, all Data, and shared resources <-- how do I migrate exchange?

-- If desired, perform a migration of the intact Exchange Information Store as a direct mount of the previous Information Store as if it were an offline restore. Reconnect mailboxes. <-- Same here, how do I do this?

> Replicate DNS and AD then shutdown and disconnect

AD (and with it DNS) replicate every few minutes, so you don't have to do all that much to get them to replicate.

So give it time to sort itself out then shutdown the original server. Give it a little more time before you do anything with the original server; check the Event Log for any errors.

> Purge the Active Directory metabase and DNS of all previous Domain Controllers,
> Exchange and DNS Server references

You have to clear out any reference to the original domain controller, there's an MS Article on it here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;216498

You basically have to force it out as there is no way to just demote it normally.

> Replicate DNS and AD <-- I guess I'm replicating these from the TempDC, but how?

Same as before, just give it a little time.

> Complete the balance of migration of Exchange, all Data, and shared resources
> <-- how do I migrate exchange?

(And the last question) I'm afraid I can't tell you. I can tell you how it's done for a standard AD environment but SBS has some quirks that may get in the way of that. A lot of people on here have done exactly this kind of migration before and will be able to clarify anything there. Part of the reason I suggested a pointer question in the SBS TA really.

Chris

I've posted the pointer..
could you please tell me how to do it for a standard AD environment?

woow that's great man thanks a lot .)

hello
will anybody help me?

eggster34,

Please see this article for all there is to know about this subject:  http://www.smallbizserver.net/tabid/266/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/90/How-do-I-move-my-server-to-new-hardware.aspx

:-)

Jeff
TechSoeasy

mm that looks very intuitive.. however, I don't have a chance to replace the motherboard or replace the disks on any of my servers since I have 2 DELL servers (old one and the new one..)

the old one has a different hard drive (a single drive) and the new one has a RAID 5 controller. Old server has a single CPU and the new one has 2. what do you suggest?

Hi eggster34,

I am terribly sorry about that post, it wasn't what I had intended to put up there, I had been searching through a few previous posts I had made and somehow I must have copied and pasted to the wrong question/answer/situation... please disregard it entirely.

Here's what I had meant to say...

I would support Chris-Dent's recommendation to go with the http://sbsmigration.com method of moving over to your new server.  You should know that they will provide you with a substantial amount of information on how to accomplish your task.  Additionally, they provide support as well.

HOWEVER, if you have less than 15 users on your network, it may be easier to just back up the data to an external USB drive, export out the mailboxes using EXMerge (http://www.petri.co.il/brick_level_backup_of_mailboxes_by_using_exmerge.htm), and then just do a clean install on your new server, recreating the user accounts and importing back in the data and mailboxes.

If you choose this method, you must first unjoin the workstations from your domain into a workgroup, and then join them back again using http://<servername>/connectcomputer.  You should also use a different IP Address LAT range, which will help the workstations adjust to the new server.

I've done a couple hardware migrations this way, and usually put the hard drive of the old server into the new one (as a slave drive) to make data transfer even easier.

One thing to be aware of... if your original server was bought with an OEM license of SBS, it's not transferable to the new machine unless you bought Software Assurance for the original. (SA must be bought within 90 days of the original purchase of the OEM license).

Hope it's easy!

Jeff
TechSoEasy

Dear Jeff,
The link you sent by mistake actually inspired me..
if I take an "image" of my hard drive (it has 2 partitions but it's a single drive) with acronis enterprise server and transfer it to the hard drive of the new server, do you think it'd work?

the last thing I want to do is create a new domain. I have about 40 users..

there are some steps on sbsmigration.com that I don't know how to do, namely:

how do I manually upgrade the new SBS 2003 to being a DC of the same domain? do I halt the installation at some point??
and


-- Complete the balance of migration of Exchange, all Data, and shared resources <-- how do I migrate exchange?

-- If desired, perform a migration of the intact Exchange Information Store as a direct mount of the previous Information Store as if it were an offline restore. Reconnect mailboxes. <-- Same here, how do I do this?

I'm so desperate that I tried to purchase the kit found on sbsmigration.com , however, they only seem to be selling the upgrade kit from sbs 2000 to 2003.
I am trying to move my existing installation completely to a new server.

please advise.

That's the only kit they offer... it's the same exact process for hardware migration.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

well on the site it says they have 4 different kits though and it looks like the others will be on sale later.
I even emailed the guy to ask but he didn't reply.

No, there is only one kit... but two different levels of it (Technician and Professional)  The Professional (also called the Pro-bundle) includes a bit more and does include FOUR different swing scenarios in greater detail.  But I'm telling you that this is basically the same methodology for each scenario... if you want greater details, then get the Pro kit.

In regards to migrating your complete Exchange Store, you would ONLY do that with this method.  You otherwise would use the ExMerge method I detailed above.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

I managed to get clients to successfully authenticate to the New DC when I unplug the old DC.
I guess I'm halfway there now..

I don't want to pay $200 for the halfway :)
could you please help me on migrating the exchange store? I have copied the public and private store edb files onto the new DC, all the paths are the same etc. what should I do next?

Well, then the proper way is documented on Sembee's website:  http://www.amset.info/exchange/migration.asp

Jeff
TechSoEasy

mmm the link you sent is not suitable for my situation..
I already copied the private and public store files into my exchange server manually.
how can I re-mount them?

hi
I now get the error message indicated in this KB article :*

909639: Error message when you try to reinstall Windows SBS 2003 on the new DC I have created with the swing method. I don't wish to contact PRS, I need help from you experts instead :)

I'm not sure why you don't want to contact PSS... considering migrations are a big part of what THEY are Experts at... and it's not generally a charged event, especially if you're business is "down".

Glad that Chris-Dent got awarded points though... it's a very well understood response!

Jeff
TechSoEasy