Microsoft 365 Hybrid and Exchange server version

Matthew Ridley 41 Reputation points
2020-09-21T14:39:38.023+00:00

Hi,

We are looking to move to an Exchange Hybrid at some point.
We currently have Exchange 2013 servers with the latest CU installed on premise .

The intention was to move to Exchange 2019 (All Mailboxes migrated over etc) so we were on the latest version before configuring the Hybrid mode.

I have been asked by my managers do we need to move to Exchange 2019 in order to use Hybrid?
I think the official Microsoft stance is no and Hybrid with Exchange 2013 is fine, but in the real world will there be any missing functionality or any other downsides that anyone may have come across?

Regards,

Matt

Exchange Server Management
Exchange Server Management
Exchange Server: A family of Microsoft client/server messaging and collaboration software.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
7,468 questions
Microsoft Exchange Hybrid Management
Microsoft Exchange Hybrid Management
Microsoft Exchange: Microsoft messaging and collaboration software.Hybrid Management: Organizing, handling, directing or controlling hybrid deployments.
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  1. Andy David - MVP 144.4K Reputation points MVP
    2020-09-21T15:14:10.927+00:00

    Oh, in that case yes you will need at 2016 CU3 for teams hybrid integration for on-prem mailboxes.

    https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/microsoftteams/exchange-teams-interact

    But I think the question is what is the plan for the mailboxes?

    If you are going to move all user mailboxes to Office 365, then there is no real "benefit" to using 2016 or 2019 to do that. Mailbox moves will work regardless.

    If you are planning to have mailboxes both on-prem and in 365 for a indeterminate amount of time, then I woudl upgrade to 2019.

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  1. Andy David - MVP 144.4K Reputation points MVP
    2020-09-21T14:48:51.883+00:00

    It will work fine with 2013 and the latest CU. :)

    You want to upgrade to 2019 prob at some point however to stay on the latest since those older versions will be in extended support.

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  2. Matthew Ridley 41 Reputation points
    2020-09-21T14:53:17.157+00:00

    Hi Andy,

    Other than not being on the latest version of Exchange might there be any other issues if we stick with Exchange 2013?
    I think we should build new Exchange 2019 servers but the management think that if mailboxes will be moving to Microsoft 365, it's a big outlay on new servers if the existing ones will do the job.

    I am aware that support for Exchange 2013 is up in 2023 (I think) which is not long really.

    I suppose it would be useful if someone could say "Well if you are only on Exchange 2013 this Teams feature won't work or this security feature isn't the same etc".

    Regards,

    Matt

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  3. Matthew Ridley 41 Reputation points
    2020-09-21T15:25:09.523+00:00

    Hi Andy,

    I think we will be in Hybrid mode for some time (years - maybe). In that case for proper integration (and Teams is one example you have mentioned), a newer version of Exchange would be beneficial.

    Regards,

    Matt

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