Upgrade a Windows NT 4 DC with Exchange 5.5 to Windows 2000

[Guest]

Hello:

I have an up coming project to upgrade one NT 4 SP 6 PDC with Exchange 5.5
and I have doubts on regards to Upgrade or perform a Clean Install. The
objective is to upgrade to W2K and Exchange 2000. The time schedule to
perform this is very short. The network is a SOHO with one PDC NT4 and 26 W2K
Pro clients. My main concern is with the migration of the Exchange data.
These are my questions:

1. How should I backup the Exchange 5.5 mail and Public folders in a way
that I can restore it in case something goes wrong?
2. Is it possible to backup or Export the mail and Public folders in a
format that both Exchange 5.5 and 2000 will restore or Import?
3. If I upgrade to W2K will Exchange 5.5 work? If yes, will it need further
tuning or it will work as before?
4. Do I need to re-configure the License mode after the Upgrade to W2K?
5. Does Exchange require CALs of its own or it uses the OS CALs?

I plan to do the following:

1. Create and Image of the System volume.
2. Backup applications and user data.
3. Backup Exchange 5.5 data (need help with the procedure)
4. Upgrade to W2K, Configure DHCP and DNS.
5. Upgrade Exchange 5.5 to Exchange 2000 using in-place upgrade method. (not
sure if is the easies way)

Any suggestions and comments are welcome

Thanks in advance
Alvaro Soto

 

[M P]

are you using a new machine or an in place upgrade for the exchange? Much
better if you have a new machine, configure all then migrate users to new
machine. Also, NT 4 CALs and Exchange CALs must be upgraded also, since you
will use a different version of applications.

cheers,

MP

 

[Guest]

Is an in place upgrade I don't have a new machine.