Exchange Server 5.5 under Server 2003

[Chris Bedford]

Hi all

Unable to find anything on the specific topic & wondered if there are any particular issues to look out for. I know MSES 5.5 runs just fine under 2000 Server, and 2003 is not that different (is it? structurally I mean), so I see no reason why it shouldn't run just as well under 2K3.

Anyone disagree? Anyone have some experience?

Chris

[Steven Clementi]

Chris:

Though I haven't tried it, I do not see why you could not install Exchange 5.5 onto a Windows Server 2003 box. Ex5.5 does not use Active Directory so there are no dependencies there. It run's fine on 2000 like you said. I would just make sure that you have the latest service packs and updates.

Any reason not to go to Exchange 2000? or 2003?

Do you have a PC that you can use to set up a test box? Install 2003, then ex5.5â ¦ see if it complains.

I ran SQL 6.5 on 2003 with no problems, but that is a little different as you probably know.


Steven

[Igor Karasik · Accepted solution]

Chris,
You cannot install Exchange 5.5 on windows 2003 server
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/suppapps/appdetails.mspx
"Exchange 2000 SP3 and 5.5 SP4 will not run natively on a Windows Server 2003. However, these versions of Exchange running on Windows 2000 Server may participate in a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory environment"
If I remember right (I tried it two-three years ago) even if you will be able to install Exchange 5.5 on windows 2003 your Information store service will not run. But I think you even will be blocked at the outset by a warning message from the OS during installation.
The real question here - why you still use Exchange 5.5?

[Chris Bedford]

Thanks to both of you for your replies - very snappy & complete. Appreciate it!

Esp Iqor - yeah, you see, it helps to "get the facts", I had seen a passing reference to Exch 5.5 participating in a 2K3 domain, but didn't want to *assume* anything about what that meant - have been caught by assumptions more than once before. Hmmm.

Ok as you both said, why not upgrade to Exch 2K3; well one answer: $$$. Simple as that. But thanks again - will have to rethink the strategy then, eh?