Transitioning Windows 2003 to Windows 2008 R2 with Exchange 2007 SP1

skak 21 Reputation points
2021-01-17T13:13:21.603+00:00

Hello, 

We have recently acquired an old company where we have 3 Windows 2003 Domain Controllers where AD +Exchange 2007 is installed on the same server.  I would like to perform transition to Windows 2008 R2, which is fairly easy.

The Windows 2003 domain Functional Level is Windows 2003

Forest Functional Level is Windows 2000.

Shall I raise the forest functional Level to Windows 2003 and run the forest prep ?

or keep it the same as I dont want Exchange 2007 to be broken as its live and working with 800 users.

Thanks

Active Directory
Active Directory
A set of directory-based technologies included in Windows Server.
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  1. Anonymous
    2021-01-17T14:48:36.947+00:00

    If above article is correct the then I can leave the below as its ?
    The Windows 2003 domain Functional Level is Windows 2003

    Forest Functional Level is Windows 2000. (Can I leave as it is ?)

    From a windows-active-directory perspective it should be doable.
    https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/identifying-your-functional-level-upgrade#upgrading-functional-levels-in-a-native-windows-2000-active-directory-forest

    I'd ask the exchange related questions over here.
    https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/answers/topics/office-exchange-server-itpro.html

    --please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-01-17T13:30:59.537+00:00
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  2. skak 21 Reputation points
    2021-01-17T14:28:04.827+00:00

    Thanks for the links

    https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/exchange-server-2007-supportability-matrix/ba-p/598981

    The above link says that Exchange Server 2007 is not supported on Windows Server 2008 R2 (Installing on Windows 2008 R2) However, Exchange 2007 SP1 RU9 and SP2 are supported against Windows Server 2008 R2 Active Directory servers.

    In addition, Exchange 2007 SP1 RU9 and SP2 are supported in Active Directory environments whose domain/forest functional levels have been raised to Windows Server 2008 R2.

    If above article is correct the then I can leave the below as its ?
    The Windows 2003 domain Functional Level is Windows 2003

    Forest Functional Level is Windows 2000. (Can I leave as it is ?)

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  3. skak 21 Reputation points
    2021-01-18T05:46:55.95+00:00

    Thanks Dspatrick I will try to post this in the exchange forums and let see what will thy reply.

  4. Vicky Wang 2,731 Reputation points
    2021-01-21T08:59:26.303+00:00

    Hi,

    I am glad to hear that your issue was successfully resolved\I am pleased to know that the information is helpful to you. If there is anything else we can do for you, please feel free to post in the forum.

    Best Regards,
    Vicky

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