Moving public folders between Exchange Server 2003 to 2010

Either we can go with GUI or Powershell, let’s discuss in detail using both GUI & Powershell
Using GUI
Using Exchange Management shell
# Using GUI

Prerequisites or steps that need to check before moving Public Folders :

Mail flow between Source Server (2003 or 2007) to Target Server (2010)

The mails are replicated via Email from Source to Target Server.

Microsoft has come up with certain tools for Adding & Removing Replica in Public Folders.

They are:

Ex Folders

PFDAVadmin

Moving Replicas from Exchange server 2003 to 2010

1: Open System Manager and navigate to Public Folders.

2: Right click and Move all Replicas

3: Choose the public folder database to move the replicas to.

Warning Message will prompt :

A warning appears that the move may take a lot of time depending on the amount of public folder content to be moved.  Click OK to begin.

# Using Exchange Management shell

1: Replicating Exchange 2003 PF’s to 2010

Add the Exchange 2010 server as PF replica partner for the Exchange 2003 server PF’s:

From the Exchange 2010 server:  As we to move the Public Folders using Scripts so we need to locate to Scripts Folder through EMS

• Open EMS
• CD $exscripts – It will take you to scripts folder in EMS
• Then follow the below command

C:\Program Files\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V14\Scripts:.\AddReplicaToPFRecursive.ps1 -TopPublicFolder “\” -ServerToAdd “Exch2010.Techrid.com” Update-PublicFolderHierarchy -Server”Exch-2010.Techrid.com”

Moving Exchange 2003 PF’s to Exchange 2010

As a last step, after you confirmed that all the PF have been replicated to the Exchange 2010, you can move all replicas from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2010. The “move all replicas” will actually remove the Exchange 2003 replicas.

To move all Exchange 2003 replicas to Exchange 2010, which will actually remove the Exchange 2003 replicas:

• From the Exchange 2010 server: .\MoveAllReplicas.ps1 -Server “Exchange 2003 Server” -NewServer “Exchange 2010 Server”

Moving Folder Hierarchies

You have to move Hierarchies so that your Public Folders will be completely migrated to Exchange 2010

Open your Exchange System Manager

Right click on Exchange Administrative Group –> New –> Public Folders Container

Now you Can See Public Folders Container (Folders)

Expanding First Administrative Group you can see “Public Folders”

Now Click and Drag “Public Folders”  from

First Administrative Group (Folders) to Exchange Administrative Group (Folders) container

Now we can say Public Folders are completely migrated

Note: If your Public Folder Database Size is too large it is not recommended to use scripts because it will add replicas for all the mails, Which might create a PF Storm and get your mail flow down .

So use tools like Exfolders or Use Exchange System Manager and add replicas , Folder by Folder and Proceed further.

For More Info :

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-in/library/bb331970(v=exchg.141).aspx

http://exchangeserverpro.com/migrate-public-folders-from-exchange-2003-to-exchange-server-2010/

http://www.petenetlive.com/KB/Article/0000426.htm

Praveen Kumar

MCTS | Exchange Server