transfer schema master and all the fsmo roles

[ciscoforum]

we currently have a unity vm(403,DC,E2K) only server. We are adding two more servers as DC and exchange, and to make this unity as a member only.

My plan is to install the new DC into the domain and become GC, then transfer the 5 FMSO role(scehma, domain, from unity to this server) and then uninstall this unity application, uninstall exchange, depromote from domain as a member server and reinstall unity

Any issue on this solution?

One more question if I just transfer these FSMO roles, will unity stop funtion during the transfer? thanks

[Hin Lee]

1) Do a backup (and know how to recover)

2) Promote the 2nd server as a DC. Make sure that the other two servers point to 2nd server for Active Directory DNS.

3) Demote DC on Unity server - all roles will be transferred to 2nd server automatically.

4) Change the DCs that Unity uses to the 2nd server - see Changing the Domain Controller That Cisco Unity Monitors (Cisco Unity 3.x Through 4.0(3)) http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/voicesw/ps2237/products_upgrade_guides_chapter09186a0080205a80.html#wp1061159

5) Move exchange mailboxes from Unity server to the 3rd Exchange server.

6) If you keep exchange server on the Unity server, then you don't have to repoint the Partner server. If you opt to unistall exchange from the Unity server, then follow this doc Changing the Partner Exchange 2003 or Exchange 2000 Server for Cisco Unity 4.x

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/voicesw/ps2237/products_upgrade_guides_chapter09186a0080205a7f.html#wp1126338

You do not need to uninstall Unity.

[ciscoforum]

Thanks Hinho.

One step further, we actually will deploy unity failover on the above solution, unity failover requires exchange on the offbox. What if I still leave the exchange on the current unity but without any subscriber mailboxes. (removing e2k is not simple I never got succeed. )

[Hin Lee]

I've seen one location where they had exchange store on the same server as Unity but it is not recommended. I don't think it will cause any problems so long as you point to the new exchange server as the partner server.

If you would like to try removing exchange again:

How to manually remove an Exchange 2000 installation

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;260378