Checklist - Upgrading from Exchange 2007 to Exchange 2010

Exchange 2007 to Exchange 2010 migration is very frequent task going on in most of the organizations these days. The most important reasons for this server migration are enhanced and improved features of new Exchange 2010. After checking various surveys about same, I must say this new upgraded server has loads of amazing features for Exchange users. Few all new features of the Exchange 2010 are listed below –

• This new Exchange version is 70 % more efficient than the old one in terms of disk read/write performance. Thus better disk performance circuitously will slow down the storage cost.
• Exchange 2010 offers high Availability option for mailbox servers. Check more detailed feature description on http://goo.gl/f7IyjW  
• One of the most eye catchy features of Exchange 2010 is the Voice mail Transcripts Preview. With this feature one can see the text-transcripts of voice mail.  
• Native archiving is the feature which was lacking behind in Exchange 2007.  
• Exchange 2010 also supports virtualization. Exchange virtualization is not just a cost cutter, 
• reducing expenditure related to support staff, maintenance, power and space but it also improves business continuity. In case if the virtual machine goes down, computers can run on another virtual machine with no downtime server failure.  

There is no second thought that performing such server migrations are actually bit tough and time consuming but don’t worry we are here with a detailed checklist and tons of helpful resources those can help you in performing your Exchange 2007 to Exchange 2010 migration easily.  

Task 1 – Analyze your system hardware health; before moving to new server it is important to perform the disk subsystem health check. This step would help Exchange users in validating if the old hardware can take the load or not.  To perform this task the most recommended tool is to run JetStress on that machine

Helpful Resources –  
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff459255%28v=exchg.141%29.aspx
http://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/Jetstress-Field-Guide-1602d64c

Task 2 – Run a system requirements test and update your system with system requirements of Exchange 2010.

Helpful resource –  
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996719(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 3 -  Install the Microsoft Filter Pack on servers those will host Mailbox server role.

Helpful resource –
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb691354(v=exchg.141).aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=60C92A37-719C-4077-B5C6-CAC34F4227CC&displaylang=en

Task 4 -  Optional step for organizations those are using disjoint namespace. Configure disjoint namespace.

Helpful resource –  
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb847901(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 5 – Prepare active directory  

Helpful resource –  
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb125224(EXCHG.140).aspx
 

Task 6 – Now install Client Access Server role

Helpful resource –  
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124778(v=exchg.141).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd351133(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 7 – Once you installed the Client Access Server role, you will need to create SSL certificates. Create digital certificate request and install those certificates.

Helpful resource –
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd351057%28v=exchg.141%29.aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee861104(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 8 – Again an optional step “Enable Outlook Anywhere”

Helpful resource –
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb123542(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 9 – Now it’s time to configure settings on virtual directories, including OAB, Exchange Web Services, Outlook Web App, ECP, and Exchange ActiveSync virtual directories. This step is the essential step if you are thinking to use Exchange Web Services, Outlook Anywhere, or the offline address book.

Helpful resource –
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996917(v=exchg.141).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd876904(v=exchg.141).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd298140(v=exchg.141).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998363(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 10 – Configure authentication settings for Exchange-related Virtual Directories

Helpful resource –
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg247612(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 11 – Set the legacy host name and create respective DNS record

Helpful resource –
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd351133%28v=exchg.141%29.aspx

Task 12 – Install the Hub Transport server role, Mailbox Server role and rest of the servers (CAS/HUB/Mailbox) in all sites.

Also configure the Virtual directories settings, enable OA.

Helpful resource –
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd346708(v=exchg.141).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124778(v=exchg.141).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd351183(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 13 – Now set up CAS Array with load balancer

Helpful resource –
http://blogs.technet.com/b/samdrey/archive/2012/09/27/exchange-2010-links-to-how-to-setup-cas-array-with-a-load-balancer.aspx

Task 14 – Now set up CAS Array with load balancer, Also make DNS record for it

Helpful resource –
http://blogs.technet.com/b/samdrey/archive/2012/09/27/exchange-2010-links-to-how-to-setup-cas-array-with-a-load-balancer.aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee332317(v=exchg.141).aspx
http://blogs.technet.com/b/ucedsg/archive/2009/12/06/how-to-setup-an-exchange-2010-cas-array-to-load-balance-mapi.aspx

Task 15 – Another important step - Enabling Kerberos Authentication for MAPI Clients

Helpful resource – http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2011/04/15/recommendation-enabling-kerberos-authentication-for-mapi-clients.aspx

Task 16 – Now convert OAB virtual directory to an IIS web application

Helpful resource – http://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/scriptcenter/525fb1dc-b612-4998-a2d1-55f32a6c35ac

Task 17 – Create and configure DAG (Database Availability Group)

Helpful resource – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd638104(v=exchg.150).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd979781(v=exchg.141).aspx
http://blogs.technet.com/b/winde76/archive/2011/03/23/step-by-step-create-a-database-availability-group-dag.aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd638129.aspx


Task 18 – Now add members to DAG and set DAG in DAC mode.

Helpful resource – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd351278(v=exchg.150).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd979790.aspx

Task 19 – For testing purpose create a user account on Exchange 2010 and test OWA, OA, ECP internally.  

Helpful resource – http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2007/09/17/3403937.aspx

Task 20 – Another testing task - Change external DNS pointing to Exchange 2010 for connectivity (URL) and test OWA, ECP, OA, ActiveSync. Also you may try test connectivity analyzer website for testing.

Helpful resource – https://testconnectivity.microsoft.com/

Task 21 – Another testing task – Just to test the connectivity and mailbox flow move a sample test user from Exchange 2007 to Exchange 2010.

Helpful resource – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124495(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 22 – Now run ExBPA to perform Exchange 2010 health check.

Helpful resource – http://www.microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=22485
http://exchange-recovery.blogspot.com/2014/04/ms-exchange-health-notes-infographic.html

Task 23 – Move offline address book generation to Exchange 2010 

Helpful resource – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb125184(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 24 – Move all Exchange 2007 mailboxes and public folder data from Exchange 2007 to Exchange 2010.

Helpful resource – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124495(v=exchg.141).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb691120(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 25 – Change the default Public Folder database for a Mailbox Database

Helpful resource – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb629522(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 26 – In Exchange 2010 SP2 perform OWA Cross-Site Silent Redirection

Helpful resource – http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2011/12/12/owa-cross-site-silent-redirection-in-exchange-2010-sp2.aspx

Task 27 –Upgrade Custom LDAP Filters to OPATH Filters

Helpful resource – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc164375(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 28 – Once mailbox migration finish, Configure “Send and Receive connector” to send and receive mail from internet or your smart host

Helpful resource – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb629503(v=exchg.141).aspx

Task 29 – Modify MX record to point to Exchange 2010 Hub transport server and test mail flow.

Task 30 – Decommission old Exchange 2007 servers

That’s all... Migration has been successfully made. Do share your feedbacks and queries with us; below is the comment section for that.