We're going to do an in-place upgrade from Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 to Exchange 2000 Server. What can I do to help ensure that the upgrade goes smoothly?
Your best bet for a smooth upgrade is to make sure that your database is clean, consistent, and completely backed up before you attempt to update it. This preparation involves several steps that you must perform in the following order:
- Apply Exchange 5.5 Service Pack 4 (SP4), then apply any post-SP4 hotfixes for the Information Store (IS).
- Perform an online backup of your IS.
- Run the DS/IS Consistency Adjuster, which removes from mailboxes in the private IS any accounts whose SIDs are missing.
- Perform an integrity check on the private IS by running the command
- Repeat the Eseutil /g test with the /ispub switch against the public IS. If errors occur, fix them with the Eseutil /p /ispub command.
- Run
- Perform an offline defragmentation of both the private and public ISs.
- Make a final online backup.
- Use Exchange 2000 Setup to begin the upgrade process.
eseutil /g /ispriv
If Eseutil reports any errors, fix them by running the command
eseutil /p /ispriv
isinteg —fix —test alltests
against the public and private ISs.
Note that several of these steps require your public and private ISs to be offline. If you must perform the upgrade during work hours, set up a temporary server and move the Exchange 5.5 server's mailboxes to it before starting the in-place upgrade. Before you begin the migration, review the Microsoft article "HOW TO: Migrate from Exchange Server 5.5 to Exchange 2000 by Using the In-Place Upgrade Method" (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324318).
