Unity 4.2 OS migration from 2K to window 2003

[Muhammad Irfan]

Hi Team,

I want to replace the OS of unity 4.2 running with Exchange 2000. Current OS is Window 2000 and new OS will be 2003 with Exchange 2003.

I know, I have to take the back up with DIRT or cobra then fresh installation required.

My question is that back up with DiRT will work with Exchange 2003? Or I have to take care some thing or should I go with Exchange 2000.

BR

[bvanturn · Accepted solution]

DiRT will work fine with Exchange 2000 and 2003 as both of them work with ExMerge. I suppose this is an onbox installation of Exchange? Make sure to go through the help section of the tool to understand the process and find the best fit for your environment.

When taking the backup make sure to first upgrade DiRT Backup to the latest version which you can find here. Also before doing the restore first update to the latest DiRT restore.

[Muhammad Irfan]

Hi Bvanturn,

Thank you for reply. I was studying the Unity installation 4.0(5) with exchange 200-2003 Guide and found following paragraph.

If you are using Exchange 2003, install Exchange 2003 administration software on the Cisco Unity server. (Exchange 2003 is installed on a separate server.)

If you are using Exchange 2000, you can install Exchange 2000 either on the Cisco Unity server or on a separate server. If you install Exchange 2000 on a separate server (typically for systems with a large number of subscribers), install Exchange 2000 administration software on the Cisco Unity server.

Kindly clarify whether I can install the exchange 2003 on same unity server.

In net pro I have serached some one saying it can be and some saying it can only possible with version 5.x.

kindly advise.

BR

[Tommer Catlin · Accepted solution]

DIRT does not really care what version of Exchange you are using (Except 2010).    Basically, to do this migration, you will want to DIRT backup everything including voicemails.  But remember, DIRT is not really a great tool for the actually voices.  Its basically using a microsoft tool called xmerge.  It sucks the voicemails out to PST and then you can put them back into a new Exchange server.

I would do the following:

- buy a spare drive if you are using the same server

- Pull a drive and keep this is as your spare drive for rollback.

- DIRT backup

- Reload with Windows 2003

- reload Unity 4.2 with any patches, etc.

- DIRT restore unity and voicemails.

- if you have a ton of voicemail accounts, it will take awhile.

also, not sure of your scenario, but if you are doing all this work, you might as well upgrade to Unity 8.x. 

But YES, you can install Exchange 2003 on the SAME server.  Its when you get 2010, you have to be off server. (Or is it Unity 5 or 7?   I cant recall).  I typically try to keep Exchange off box no matter what.  And if its voicemail ONLY anyways.... you should even consider looking at Unity Connection.  For all this work, you could basically use COBRAS, export everything and load it into a new CUC server standing by ready to go. (COBRAS import).

[David Hailey · Accepted solution]

To clarify on Exchange on-box vs. off-box and version, etc.  You can have Exchange 2000 or 2003 installed on-box in Unity 4.x.  Unity 5.x moved away from this concept and, in a voicemail only scenario, Exchange was moved to a standalone box that was part of the "Unity" installation.  Exchange 2007 and 2010 have never, to my knowledge, been supported on-box installations.

If you care to know more about COBRAS, let me know - I have lots of experience in that arena.

Hailey

Please rate helpful posts!

[Muhammad Irfan]

thanks David