ad + exch 5.5

[kerry medeiros]

Hi,

Being fairly new to AD, I need a little guidance with an
upcoming AD implementation. The scenario is as follows:

PDC - NT4
A couple of member servers all W2K
Exchange 5.5sp4 running on W2K

We want to upgrade our PDC to W2K with AD. I have been
told that Exchange 5.5sp4 will still work, as long as we
run in mixed mode for AD. I also understand that while
running in mixed mode I will loose some of the advantages
of AD. So my questions are:

Is there any truth to the fact that yes, Exchange will
still work?

What functionality am I loosing by running in mixed mode.?

Anyone been in a similar situation that could offer some
advice?

Thanks

Kerry

 

[M Brady]

Hi Kerry -

1st off YES! The good news is yes Exchange 5.5 will
still work in a mixed mode enviroment. I ran not only
multiple NT4 Servers but 2000 Servers and a 2003 server
while migrating all my servers to 2000 (now they are
going to 2003 SHEESH!) and I stayed with Exchange 5.5
till we had a) all servers on 2000 and b) all pcs to 2000
or XP before switching to native mode. I also ran
Exchange 2000 and replicated my public folders during the
entire time so as to ease my companies transition to
Exchange 2000 at such time when we would move to native
mode.

For detail on what AD does and how it is helpful for you
(what you might be missing out on) see this site and
download the doc to read. Straight from the horses mouth
(so to speak):
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overvi
ew/activedirectory.mspx

: )

I think that at the beginning of my 'article' here you
can see I travelled in your shoes. Only thing I can say
is...boy am I glad THAT's over! Be happy to help out
in any way I can, just drop me a line.

Mike B