Can I Upgrade to Exchange Server 2007?

Hello,

We just placed and received our first order from TechSoup stock; Windows XP Pro upgrades, Office 2007 Pro Plus, Windows Server 2003 Standard and 50 CALs. We tried to order two copies of Server 2003 but were told we were only allowed to purchase one this year. I have two questions about Exchange Server 2007: first, do we still have an available title that will allow us to order a copy of that this year?; and if that answer is yes, will it do what we want/need?

Here's our situation: We currently have three servers. Our domain controller is SBS 2003 and thus is running a bundled copy of Exchange 2003. Our shared data and print servers are both running SBS 2000 (that's why we wanted to purchase the copies of 2003 Standard Server to upgrade). We are moving into a new, larger building this summer and would like to start using Outlook's calendaring features to schedule rooms and equipment. From what I've read, Exchange 2007 and Outlook 2007 together have much improved scheduling features compared to Exchange 2003 and Outlook 2000 (what we're using now). Assuming we can get a copy of Exchange 2007, how can we integrate it into our current server environment? Can we disable the bundled version of Exchange that is running on our SBS 2003 domain controller and install Exchange 2007 on an upgraded, standard edition second server? Or what other scenarios might work?

Thanks for any advice.

Are you sure you typed your question correctly? A network can only have one Windows SBS server. Your question reports that you have 3 of them.

Exchange 2007's hardware requirements are much more demanding that 2003. For example, in a production environment, 2007 only runs on 64-bit hardware. At the very least, you would need to purchase an additional server since it sounds like none of your existing equipment is 64-bit.

Although it is technically possible (and possibly messy) to add Exchange 2007 to replace the Exchange 2003 functions in an SBS 2003 network, the configuration is not supported. You also break all Exchange related wizards. Just wait for SBS 2008 to come out and do the migration then.

Oops. You're right about the 2000 servers not being SBS. I don't know why I had that stuck in my head.

Thanks for the other explanations and recommendations. Looks like we'll just have to wait.

Hi Jack,

Petri.co.il is running a series on Exchange 2007 planning which you may find useful:

They have other more specific articles on Exchange 2007 as well in their main index.

Hope that helps,

-Kevin

Thanks, Kevin. Yes that helps. It makes me realize I'll probably need some help planning for the migration. :tongue;

Yes the Petri.co.il series is a great resource, however, keep in mind that the series is not presented with SBS 2003 in mind. Even if you are choosing to wait for migration to SBS 2008 (which includes Exchange 2007) where many of the concepts for planning may be similar, the actual migration process may be quite different.

There is no upgrade path from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007.

You must build an Exchange 2007 server and then move individual mailboxes to it.