exchange 2007 on 2008 server?

[gabi_cavaller]

Hi there,

Just looking at your exchange 2007 server course, it's obviously being installed on 2003, however, I would like to implement it on a 2008 server.

Is there any documentation, pointers or anything at all that could be provided?

Having recently completed your 2008 AD course, I want to avoid using older versions of the OS as much as possible,

Any information kindly appreciated,

Regards,

G.

[DShack]

Gabi, many people are trying to implement on Server 2008 now that it's out, and there have been some new wrinkles with that and bugs that have had to be resolved. Each new Exchange rollup usually addresses bugs that have caused problems with Server 2008, and we're actually at a pretty stable place now. I began doing migrations with Server 2008 when only Rollup 3 was out, and wish that we'd been at Rollup 5 back then. As I write this, Rollup 7 should have just been released.

Other help?

This makes installing the Server 2008 pre-reqs a snap:
http://www.petri.co.il/installing-exchange-2007-prerequisites-on-windows-server-2008.htm

Here's a general overview of the install process:
http://www.msexchange.org/articles_tutorials/exchange-server-2007/migration-deployment/installing-exchange-2007-windows-server-2008.html

Another issue a lot of small-medium shops have is the difference in native backups, and I cover that pretty well in my new DR course.

Let me know if you have other, more specific questions.

[gabi_cavaller]

Hi,

Thank you for the reply.

Taken into consideration the current updates and so on, would you advice to install it on 2008 or 2003?

It's always a tricky one making these find of decisions,

Thanks for the links, I have already had a quick check, but will look over them again.

I am looking to have a 2008 environment with a 2003 domain, simply due to configurations in other offices (DC's = 2003)

Thanks,

Gabi.

[DShack]

Gabi, if you are comfortable using a 3rd-party backup tool (or DPM) to back up your Exchange data, I'd go ahead and use Windows 2008. It's a stable platform now, and most of the gotchas have been well documented.

The thing that will take the most getting used to will probably be IIS management, but after a week or so of working with it, you'll know how to get things done there.

Dave Shackelford

[gabi_cavaller]

Hi Dave,

Thanks again for taking your time to reply to my query, really appreciate it.

I will be looking forward to the IIS management, seems completely different however, will be good to learn.

As for backups, I currently use an online method via veritas, which works well on 2003, will speak to the supplier and see what it's like for 2007.

Not looking forward to installing 2007, even though it's a small business, I am re-doing everything, including the domain, IP's, DC's, VPN's and my main worry is exchange, making sure it all works before moving people over, not quite sure yet, need to finish your tutorials and read lots :)

Thanks again,

G.

[Biggles77]

How small is your business? Is it likely to grow to 75 users in the next few years? SBS2008 may be an option you can look at and with the SBS Wizards setting Exchange 2007 up on a Server 2008 base may give you a lot more peace of mind.

[gabi_cavaller]

It's a strange setup but SBS would not fit.

We have 3 sites.

100 users, only 10 using local exchange, 90 using hosted exchange.

Soon will be 200 users and possibly all users on local exchange.

Peace of mind is always good though,

Thanks for taking your time to reply :)

[Biggles77]

Well there is always WEBS. The Actual name is Windows Essential Business Server, but for some reason the weenies at MS prefer EBS.

http://www.microsoft.com/ebs/en/us/default.aspx and if you don't know the product, it is like SBS on steroids.

[gabi_cavaller]

Hi Biggles,

Apologies for the delay in this.

Unfortunately that solution is too expensive,

Funnily enough, I just went to a sharepoint seminar today, which was quite interesting as one of the MS people was there, right at the end of the seminar he started talking about the following,

http://www.microsoft.com/online/default.mspx

This product includes exchange, WSS on steroids, office communications and something else, http://www.microsoft.com/online/business-productivity.mspx

Surely this is really going to affect the SME market mainly, this solution would be better for cash flow, less IT staff, 99.99% up time and so on.

Quite cheap really, but no fun for people like you and I.

[Biggles77]

The start of "Cloud" computing. Works well until your ISP goes offline. :eek: :eek: :eek:

[gabi_cavaller]

Extremely true,

However, if you don't have an autofail over switch and your ISP goes down, regardless of your systems being in house or in the "Cloud", you're pretty much screwed.

The SME market (depending on how you classify the market) suffer greatly from this due to not having the IT budget to implement business continuity plans that actually work.

Nevertheless, I do think it's a great product and reduces a huge amount of work, but sometimes, you need to create the work in order to be in the game.

The start of "Cloud" computing. Works well until your ISP goes offline. :eek: :eek: :eek: