I'm getting ready to upgrade my SBS 2008 box to two Windows Server 2012 R2 VMs. I plan on installing Exchange 2016 on one VM and the DC/file server/update services/a few custom services on the other VM.
I'm not sure the best upgrade path, however. I can't do a direct migration to Exchange 2016 from Exchange 2007. I have a few options, however. Note that we are also using GFI MailEssentials for SPAM and AV.
I could do a PST export, decommission the current SBS, and then recreate the mailboxes on a fresh Exchange 2016 install. Is this sort of thing actually possible? I don't have a cumbersome amount of mailboxes, so I'm not worried about about my time on that account. I am worried about my users keeping all of their settings and whatnot, however.
I could do an intermediate migration to Exchange 2013 and then another migration to Exchange 2016.
I could use a tool like CodeTwo to perform a cross-forest migration. Admittedly, I don't know anything about this tool or even how a cross-forest migration works.
What would likely be the easiest option given my scenario of SBS 2008 to Exchange 2016 with a limited number of mailboxes and public folders and MailEssentials? Will it be possible to get any of these options finished in a single weekend?
I'm just looking for a nudge in the right direction.
Best Answer
If you can eliminate the public folders first you will make life a lot easier. However the move through Exchange 2013 first to Exchange 2016. I wouldn't try and do it in a weekend though - it is perfectly possible to do the bulk of the work "live" as already stated, with just a final switch required. I also prefer to have both the old and new server running for a period together to ensure the mailboxes move across correctly and you catch all of the traffic.