Preparing for a Migration

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Migration is better documented and automated on Windows Small Business Server 2003 than it was on Small Business Server 2000, though there are potential bumps on the road:

• Exchange Mailbox rules, the Administrator account mailbox, and public folders aren’t migrated and must be manually exported using the Exchange Mailbox Merge Wizard (ExMerge.exe).

• Custom settings such as DHCP scope options and Exchange server SMTP connector settings aren’t migrated.

• Group Policy Objects (GPOs) aren’t migrated, and must be manually exported from the existing domain using the Group Policy Management Console in Windows Small Business Server 2003.

• Custom Web sites aren’t automatically migrated—copy the Web site files to the new server and recreate the site in Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), or use the IIS 6.0 Migration Tool.

• References to the original server break during the migration (shortcuts, mapped drives, and so forth).

The following steps provide an overview of the migration process:

1. Disable the DHCP Server service on the source server (the existing server).

2. Install Windows Small Business Server 2003 on the destination computer (creating the new domain) and perform the tasks on the To Do List.

3. Disconnect the destination server from the Internet and disable real-time antivirus software on both servers.

4. Prepare client computers for migration by removing unnecessary software and deleting any shortcuts to the existing server.

5. Use the Active Directory Migration Tool (ADMT) on the destination server to migrate users, groups, and computer accounts to the new domain.

6. Use the Exchange Migration Wizard in Windows Small Business Server 2003 to migrate Exchange mailboxes to the new server.

7. Use ExMerge on the Windows Small Business Server 2003 computer to export Exchange public folders and the Administrator account mailbox from the existing server. ExMerge is available for download at http://www.microsoft.com/exchange.

8. Move shared folders and application data to the destination server.

9. Migrate any SQL Server databases to the destination server, as discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base article 314546 “HOW TO: Move Databases Between Computers That Are Running SQL Server.”

10. Assign migrated user accounts to Windows Small Business Server 2003 templates and assign applications to client computers.

11. Import Exchange server public folders; and configure Exchange distribution lists, custom recipient policies, and the Microsoft Connector for POP3 Mailboxes.

12. Connect client computers to the new domain. (See Chapter 12, “Managing Computers on the Network.”)

13. Remove permissions used for migration, uninstall ADMT, and then retire the source server.

More Info 

For in-depth information about migrating to Windows Small Business Server 2003, see the migration white papers on the CD included with this book: “Migrating from Small Business Server 4.5 or Windows NT Server 4.0 to Windows Small Business Server 2003” and “Migrating from Small Business Server 2000 or Windows 2000 Server to Windows Small Business Server 2003.” Also visit the Microsoft Small Business Server Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/sbserver for updated information and migration tools.

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