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Migrating BES Server from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2010

Hi, need some advice on what to do with migrating BES Server ...

Currently we have full BES Server running on Exchange 2003. We will be purchasing a new server and install Exchange 2010 on it but will still keep the Exchange 2003 running on the old server.

Would it be best if I just keep the BES Server running on Exchange 2003? Not all users will be migrating over to Exchange 2010 straight away, probably over weeks maybe months. Would the BES Server still work if I have some users on Exchange 2003 and others on Exchange 2010?

Just need some clarification ... also how much down time would there be? And would I need to reactivate BB devices?

Thanks

wsewasim

check this

http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=KB22601#documentTop

No problem to keep BES Server running on Exchange 2003 it will still work

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AhmedHERMI

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MattToner

ASKER

Thanks ... if I keep BES Server running on Exchange 2003, can it still read mailbox from Exchange 2003 and Exchange 2010? Or do I need another BES Server running on the Exchange 2010?

Praveen Balan

I would recomend you to plan carefully. Since you have not mentioned the version of BES using please find the suggestions.

Exchange Server 2010 is supported on 5.0.1, but recomended version is 5.0.2.
Exchange Server 2010 SP1 is supported on 5.0.2.

regarding the plan, you will have to install few patches too, ref - http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2009/12/09/453486.aspx
-Praveen

AhmedHERMI

Yes you can keep both up and running with a single shared BES.
just follow this KB article working with 2007 (it's the same thing with 2010 but a small difference)
http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/dynamickc.do?externalId=KB14502&sliceID=1&command=show&forward=nonthreadedKC&kcId=KB14502

MattToner

ASKER

Sorry we are currently running BES 5.0.1 Bundle 5

AhmedHERMI

Exchange 2010 establishes a single user session to Exchange 2003, then attempts to create a MAPI connection for each BES device. Exchange 2003 is limited to 32 MAPI connections per user session, so the vast majority of Blackberry’s were unable to sync until the fix below was implemented and the Information Store service restarted on the 2003 mail server.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/842022
My Advice for you is to plan for this and prepare every step you're gonna make to prevent any missuses.
Let me Know about it :).

MattToner

ASKER

Just read through the KB articles ... if I'm not planning to migrate the BES Server to Exchange 2010, how would I share the BES Server between 2003 and 2010?

I'm just trying to find out the best plan of action before doing it.

Thanks

AhmedHERMI

Hi again ;
i uploaded a file for you , i think it will help you to put puzzles together.

http://www.mediafire.com/?tlenragzmpcoc9h (pwd: BESExchange20032010)
(focus on Page 7)

you'll find what you need on it.
keep me informed as usual.

you're welcome in any time :)

MattToner

ASKER

Thanks for the reply.

This is what I've done and it seems to work OK:
•      Transferred some of the mailboxes over to Exchange 2010 that was associated with Blackberry devices
•      Then ran handheldcleanup -u on the BES Server
•      E-mails started working on the handsets
•      Old Exchange 2003 with BES Server will still run in parallel with Exchange 2010

Since it is all working, do I need to do anything else? I did not migrate the BESadmin account over to Exchange 2010