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Upgrade Win Serv 2003 with Exch 2003 on same box to Win Serv 2012/Exch2013

I have an exchange environment with approximately 75 mailboxes and about that in AD Users. I need to upgrade to 2012/2013. I am getting conflicting directions in how to perform this upgrade. I have purchased Volume Lic. for Exch 2013/Serv 2012, and will be using a new box.
It has been suggested to install Win Serv 2012 with Exch 2008 (downgrade rights) in the new box, then co-exist it with my current server environment. After its running for a few weeks, upgrade the new box to Exch 2013.
Can someone please explain the steps to perform this, as well as any suggestions. Thank you.

EEhotline

You can't migrate from 2003 to 2013 directly. You will have to migrate twice, once from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007 or 2010, then again to Exchange 2013.

Personally I would encourage you to move to Exchange 2010 to begin with.

You can take a look at here for more info:

http://blog.pluralsight.com/videos/exchange-2013-transition

EAS93

ASKER

Yes, I realize that direct migration to Exch 2013 is not possible. I am asking about the steps to accomplish this. Please also keep in mind that my company is getting a new box as well to house the new exchange 2013 environment.

EEhotline

If it's not that many users, what you can do is to export mailboxes to PST and do a fresh 2013 installation.

The steps to accomplish that:

1. Exchange 2003 - 2007
http://exchangeserverpro.com/exchange-2007-transition-guide/

2. Exchange 2007-2010
http://blogs.technet.com/b/meamcs/archive/2013/07/25/part-1-step-by-step-exchange-2007-to-2013-migration.aspx

http://www.msexchange.org/articles-tutorials/exchange-server-2013/migration-deployment/planning-and-migrating-small-organization-exchange-2007-2013-part1.html

EAS93

ASKER

Thank you.
That's what I wanted to do at first, until I found out PST files are no longer a reliable format.

Seth Simmons

where did you read that pst files are not a reliable format?
you could just build your 2012 server with exchange 2010 SP3

you can't do an in-place exchange upgrade to 2013 later on; need a different box

Install Exchange 2013 in an Existing Exchange 2010 Organization
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124350%28v=exchg.150%29.aspx

EAS93

ASKER

http://www.policypatrol.com/why-pst-files-are-not-a-good-archiving-strategy/

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Seth Simmons

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EAS93

ASKER

Thank you Seth2740.