Actually you can. Its just such an enormous hassle that most people don't want to waste their time. This is why I always name them "mail" or something similar.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com: 80/support/kb/articles/q155/2/69.asp&NoWebContent=1&NoWebContent=1 Q. How do you rename the Microsoft Exchange Server computer name? A. Note that this will only work if there is only one Microsoft Exchange Server in the Site. This information can also be found in the Microsoft Exchange Resource Kit. Caution: When you rename a server you lose: All connector/DXA configurations on the server. All non-recipient configurations on the server. All profiles for users that connect to the server. To rename the computer running Microsoft Exchange Server: Disconnect all clients from the server. In the Microsoft Exchange Server Administrator program, select the Server name - Advanced tab. Under IS/DS Consistency Adjustment, select a method for adjusting inconsistencies. This step ensures that the information store is up-to-date. >From the Tools menu, choose Directory Export. Ensure that the Assoc-NT-Account field has been exported. You use this file to restore the mailbox, distribution list, and customer recipient permissions. Quit all Microsoft Exchange Server services. Back up \dsadata\dir.edb. Back up \mdbdata\priv.edb and pub.edb. Run the Microsoft Exchange Server Setup program, and choose Remove All. Restart your computer. and delete \exchsrvr. In the Main program group, double-click Control Panel. Double-click Server and then rename the server. Restart your computer. Run the Microsoft Exchange Server Setup program. Choose the same organization and site names as before. Restart your computer. Quit all Microsoft Exchange Server services. Delete *.log from \dsadata and \mdbdata. Restore \mdbdata\priv.edb and pub.edb. If offline copy, run isinteg -patch. IMPORTANT: Do not restore the files from \dsadata. Restart the Microsoft Exchange Server services. Run the IS/DS Consistency Adjustment again on the private and public Information Stores. The consistency adjustment will re-create the directory without any permissions. Import the directory file created in step 4. Be sure to select Append in the Multi-Valued Properties box. Your server should now be running with the same mailboxes and Public Folders but it will have a new server name. -----Original Message----- From: Jeff Beckham [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2003 5:01 PM To: Exchange Discussions Subject: RE: renaming an exchange server You cannot rename and exchange server. Jeff -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Davinder Gupta Posted At: Thursday, August 14, 2003 5:41 PM Posted To: Exchange Discussion List Conversation: renaming an exchange server Subject: renaming an exchange server Hi Experts, Is it okay to rename an exchange 5.5 server? I understand the hassle of updating Outlook profiles. Thanks Davinder _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=exchange&text_mode=&; lang=english To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=exchange&text_mode=&lang =english To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=exchange&text_mode=&lang=english To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
