RE: [IMail Forum] Server Migration / Version Upgrade

[Laura Bhandari]

Title: Message

I hope you don't mind me reviving this thread but I have some similar questions....   I am about to move my IMail from one machine to another and the advice below looked good so I was hoping you guys could help me out a little more. I'm really nervous (translate to terrified) about the switch so I am trying to cover all the bases to make it as smooth as possible. I'm not an admin by training so my networking skills are limited.   My IMail server is currently on my office network so it uses a private IP address - we have Road Runner with a static IP address so I know I don't need to make any DNS changes because that IP isn't changing. However, I don't know how to handle the machine's private IP address issue (we don't use DHCP - we use static IPs here in the office - that's just how they set it up so I live with it). I can't have both PCs on the network on at the same time with the same IP address so I am trying to figure out which would be easiest - assign a new IP so I can have them both on at the same time (and be able to copy files over the network) or assign them the same and just burn a copy of the files I need to cd so I can only have the one PC on (so that I wouldn't have to make registry changes for the IP address?????).   Also, I am moving from Windows 2000 Server to Windows 2000 Professional - when I export the registry keys, will this make a difference that they are different OSs? I have never worked with registry keys - is it as easy as selecting the key and then selecting export from the menu??   I only have 2 domains (1 of which is virtual) with under 40 users between the 2 domains. How long do you think my email will be unavailable while I try to make the move (following the instructions about turning off the server, installing the new IMail, changing the registries, etc)?  I am not using AD - just the regular IMail database.   Is there anything else I need to keep in mind? Thanks in advance for everyone's help...   -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of serge Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2004 6:20 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [IMail Forum] Server Migration / Version Upgrade I can give you a couple of advices 1- do not do the hardware and software upgrade in the same time, install 7.0 on the new server, than a couple of days later, if everything is OK, upgrade to 8.05 that way, if there is a problem, you will konw where it is. Also, it will be easier to copy the mailboox, configuration, ...to the same version 2- you do not need to have both servers running, just add an MX with the new adress today, it will have time to propagate, and wont hurt (assuming no smtp server curently running on newIP. Just install V7.0 on new server, copy the domains registry keys, changes the ips in the registry  where needed, stop services on both machines, copy the mailboxes directories and the spool directory to new server, start services on new server, unistall smtp/imail oon old server   Do not use AD, so can't help you there         ----- Original Message ----- From: Matthew Brandes To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2004 10:48 PM Subject: [IMail Forum] Server Migration / Version Upgrade In the next month I am going to be tackling a major upgrade of our existing Imail Server and am looking for any feedback from other users have done similar migrations/upgrades.  (I've done some reading through the KB and mail archives already.)   Current environment:     Windows NT 4.0 Server     Imail version 7.0 using the Imail User database     Hosting email for two domains.     Physically located in my office building   New Environment:    Windows 2000 Server    Imail version 8.05    Integration with Active Directory (I hope)    Moved to server co-location facility   I know what I want to do isn't going to be easy but here's the layout.  I'll install the new server into an existing AD environment and configure it to run AD.  I'll install Imail v8.05 on it.    First question, will the existing AD users get email accounts automatically by virtue of doing a clean install or will I have to create them in some fashion?   My active directory is configured with a different domain name (irr.net) then what Imail will host (irr.com).  Can I host mail for irr.com even though the AD domain name is irr.net?    I've read that if you choose AD integration, that you can only host one domain.  Can I host another domain using the Imail user database or that domain? (Pretty sure that answer is yes.)   What are the chances that I can transfer mail from my old 7.0 server to the new 8.0 server?  I've read the KB article about moving servers but it assumes a like-to-like move.   Since my mail servers will be changing IP address' and it will take a couple of days to replicate the DNS changes, is there a good way to leave the old server running in a fashion that would forward mail to the new server if an SMTP connection to it was made?  (I don't see how I could leave POP3 running.)   Any input anyone has is much appreciated.  If there are any online articles I can refer to, please point me in the right direction. Matthew Brandes, MCSE, CCA IT Manager Integra Realty Resources, Inc. 1901 W. 47th Place, #300 Westwood, KS 66205 T. 913-748-4720 F. 913-236-4307 http://www.irr.com