[toddmonster]

Hi all,

We are planning a migration from Exchange 2000 to Exchange 2003. Our problem is we can't do the migration all at one time. It will be done in groups of 10 users. My plan is as follows, any input suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Please let me know if my logic is sound too!

Current Configuration
BES 4.0.4.9 connected to Exchange 2000
SQL 2000 DB (External)
105 Users

----Migration Plan
Move 10 users per day to new BB server

Planned Configuration
BES 4.0.4.9 connected to Exchange 2003
SQL DB Local or External (shouldn’t matter). (I can't point to the same DB can I, that is, the one connected to Exchange 2000?)

1. Create Temporary BES on new server (Get a temporary SRP), Connect to Exchange 2003
2. Delete 10 users from BES connected to Exchange 2000
3. Add same 10 users to BES connected to Exchange 2003 (connect via Enterprise Activation either through cradle or Wirelessly)
a. Will I need to wipe handhelds out before adding to BB Server?
4. Repeat until all users are on Exchange 2003 connected BB Server
5. Deactivate BES connected to Exchange 2000
6. Change SRP on Temporary BES to Permanent SRP from Exchange 2000

[toddmonster]

Sorry, forgot to add our thanks in advance for any input, suggestions!!

[T-Roy]

Are you moving to a new Exchange Org?

If not: How To - Migrate from Exchange 2000 to 2003 in a BlackBerry Enterprise Server 4.0 or 4.1 environment

[toddmonster]

Thanks, I saw that article. I read it as being applicable if you're doing all of the users at one time, not in increments. We'll have some users on Exchange 2000, others on 2003 for a few months. I wonder, could I install a new BES, create a different BlackBerry Admin Mailbox for the Exchange 2003 BES and point both BES' to the same SQL database? Thanks, Todd

[showtime]

1. Install a new BES and point to the current SQL Database. Ask RIM or your Carrier for a temp SRP ID
2. Create a BlackBerry Admin mailbox on Exchange 2003
3. Do not delete the users from the BES Exchange 2000 but move them to the other BES. Start the BlackBerry Manager, right click an user and choose Move User. Now select the new BES Exchange 2003
4. Open a command prompt and run handheldcleanup.exe -u in a command prompt. Default location c:\Program Files\Research in Motion\BlackBerry Enterprise Server\Utility

If you do it like this, you will not have to wipe any handhelds and no users will have to be re-activated with a craddle or enterprise activation.

[toddmonster]

Thanks Showtime. It did work exackly as you described. We installed a new temporary BES (v4.1) and am able to move users between the two servers.

As a side note, somewhere in the documentation it mentioned to upgrade the BlackBerry Manager software to v4.1 (on the BES 4.0 server) after pointing two BES servers to the same database, because the database would be upgraded. I ran the same install program (from the temporary BES software), and expected to be able to only upgrade the BlackBerry Manager software. I was never given the option to upgrade or install the BB Mgr software, instead it upgraded my old 4.0 BES to 4.1). I was surprised this happened. Just something to keep an eye on. Appears to be working fine, so far. Thanks very much for your help! Todd