MS Exchange has, without a doubt been the default choice for any organization. However, when we zoom out and look at the Exchange Server versions, a trend emerges: both cost and complexity seem to go up.

With Exchange 2016 and 2019 both in EOL, it seems just the right time to change to a different platform. To help you decide, I have listed all the top alternatives to choose from.

See All Replacements for Exchange Server At a Glance

If you want to switch over to eliminate licensing costs incurred with the release of Exchange Server SE, the following options work well. However, you need to have personnel with core technical skills to maintain the server.

If you prefer a more managed solution, you have two excellent options.

Now, let me go over the replacements in more detail.

Top 5 Free & Open Source Exchange Server Alternatives

1. Grommunio (The “Drop-In” Replacement)

If you want to do away with Exchange but still want Outlook Client compatibility, Grommunio works best thanks to its native MAPI compatibility. The best part of choosing it is its drop-in nature, meaning you can point your Outlook clients to this Linux server and neither the user nor the software will know the difference.

2. Zimbra Collaboration (Open Source Edition)

Zimbra has been a competitor of Exchange Server since the early Windows vs Linux days. It comes with an intuitive Webmail portal that gives OWA a run for its money.

3. Mailcow (The Docker Suite Style Exchange Server Alternative)

Designed for admins who love a Docker-like container setup over traditional mailbox architecture. It bundles Postfix, Dovecot, and SOGo together.

4. Carbonio CE (Puts Privacy First):

Companies for whom privacy is of utmost importance, more so than fancy UI elements, should choose Carbonio. Zextras built it to focus on privacy and comply with the strict laws like GDPR.

5. iRedMail (For those who want control):

iRedMail is known for the sheer amount of control it allows its users. Admins can use shell scripts to install their favorite server component, like Postfix, Dovecot, etc directly on their Linux distro. Transparent self-managed server leaves you in charge of what to keep and what to remove.

Best Cloud-Based Exchange Server Alternative

Office 365 is the go-to platform for any organization that wishes to ditch the hardware management costs associated with an on-prem system like Exchange.

Not only that, but the sheer amount of business suit apps that you get is a tremendous ROI, provided that you require and use them.

Another major advantage of O365 is that you can maintain a hybrid setup where you get the privacy of on-premises and the flexibility of the cloud.

This is only possible because both Exchange and O365 come under Microsoft’s umbrella.

Move to cloud ASAP with the one and only Exchange On-Premises to O365 Migrator by SysTools. A free demo is available right now to bring Exchange Server data elements to the cloud.

Download Now Purchase Now

Office 365 is a great option, and you can compare all Office 365 plans to select the one that works for you. Get a rough idea on how long email migration takes before hand.

Cons: If you are not willing to enter a perpetual subscription cycle where you have to pay for every new license, then M365 cloud is not for you.

Top MS Exchange Replacement for On-Premises

HCL Domino allows organizations to prioritize security, and at the same time, develop custom apps that work on both Windows and Linux.

However, the biggest win of HCL over Exchange is the storage space efficiency. HCL has built the Domino Attachment and Object Service (DAOS) technology that can save up to 90% disk space. It does it by performing a deduplication on the email attachment server-wide and linking them via pointers.

Switch to the best Exchange On-Premises alternative with SysTools Exchange to HCL Domino Migrator. This software eliminates the file format transformation and does a direct server-to-server transition in real-time.

Download Now Purchase Now

Download the demo today to bring all emails, contacts, and calendars of every Exchange Server user account into HCL.

Cons: Organizations may have to hire additional staff or train existing ones to use Domino Server and related components.

Our Verdict

Looking at all the points I have put forth, one thing is for sure: there is no single best Exchange Server alternative that works for everyone. However, at the same time, many of the options that I gave you work well in niche situations. It is up to you, the IT admin, and all other stakeholders to decide by evaluating both the current circumstances and the future plans.

In my opinion, the free and open source replacements work well for those who have a team that understands the tech and is willing to invest more time or has a tight budget.

If you prefer the Exchange Environment but want to eliminate hardware management, then Microsoft Office 365 is the place to be.

Additionally, if your industry has a strict compliance rule that mandates the data to stay on-premises, but Exchange Server is too overbloated, then HCL Domino is a great option.

At the end, choosing a platform is just the beginning. The real challenge is migrating your entire digital infrastructure. So choosing the right partner is non-negotiable. You need not waste time finding a solution provider; the options I have listed are the best in business.

Most Asked Queries on Exchange Server Alternatives

Q: Which is the most affordable replacement for Exchange Server?

If you have a zero-dollar budget for software, iRedMail or Mailcow are the best free self-hosted options.

Q: What happens to Active Directory after I replace Exchange Server?

You can keep it, but lose the ability to manage some email attributes.

The post Top 7 Exchange Server Alternatives (Free & Open Source) appeared first on SysTools Software.

Nowadays, email is considered one of the most popular and integral communication tools. Microsoft Outlook is a widely demanded email client application across the world. It works in conjunction with the Exchange Server for all its email-based communication. One can also say that Exchange is an email server solution designed by Microsoft and is deployed on the Windows Operating system. It is a piece of software that runs on a server and manages all the emails. This powerful server-side application offers an efficient email-based collaborative communication by allowing the users to access data without any hassle from anywhere. However, Exchange users have also faced different errors while working with it.

One of the common error that encounters frequently on Exchange while working with Outlook is Exchange Server is Unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action. Moreover, it is important to resolve any type of error to avoid serious issues. Therefore, in this write-up, we are going to explain different methods using which the user can easily eliminate Exchange Server is not available issue.

Major Causes Behind The Unavailability of Exchange Server Error

This particular error is encountered when the user tries to start MS Outlook in Office 365. Due to this error, the user is not able to access the server’s mailboxes and the data items stored in it. There can be some other potential causes behind the occurrence of Exchange Server is Unavailable error in Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2021. Some of them are listed below:

• Locked Office Outlook files
• Outlook is not configured properly
• An issue with the network connection
• Incorrect configuration of Outlook profile
• Corruption or severe damage of PST files
• Default gateway configuration missing in the client application
• Interference of third-party applications while connecting Outlook to Exchange Server

Different Solutions to Fix Exchange Server is Unavailable Error

The user can implement the solutions given below to resolve Exchange Server is not available Error in Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2021. It is necessary to eliminate the issue as this will prevent the occurrence of other serious issues.

• Fix the Network Connectivity Issue
• Check whether third-party applications are interfering or not
• Use the Expert Recommendation

Solution 1: Fix the Network Connectivity Issue

There should be a healthy network connection between the local client system and the Exchange Server. Due to an improper network connection, Exchange Server is Unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action error occurs. To resolve this error the user has to diagnose client connectivity issues using Microsoft‘ s Connectivity Analyzer Tool. Follow the steps to fix this issue.

1. First, you have to install the Microsoft Connectivity Analyzer Tool on your system and then launch it
2. Once the tool is installed on your system, choose I can’t log on with Office Outlook option
3. After that, insert your Simple Mail Transfer Protocol address and login credentials also
4. View and check the results. If this issues only occurs for a single mailbox in Exchange Server then create a new Outlook profile
5. Check the issue is fixed or not. If the issue is not fixed or the multiple users are affected then contact Online Service Support for Microsoft. Make sure to gather some information related to:

• When this issue occurred?
• The output of ipconfig/ all, ping, and tracert commands from the client to destination
• The output of telnet command on two different port numbers that are 135 and 443 from client to destination
• Issue encountered in a specific ‘Office network segment’ or on a particular ‘Exchange mailbox server’
• The output of Microsoft’s Remote Connectivity Analyzer Tool

Solution 2: Check whether third-party applications are interfering or not

Sometimes, the third-party applications such as anti-virus programs, software etc. are responsible for the Exchange Server is Unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action error. There is a conflict between the third-party applications and Outlook connecting to the Exchange Server. To resolve this issue the user should start Outlook in ‘safe mode’.

While implementing the above steps, many users have faced data loss issues. Therefore, to resolve the issue without any data loss it is recommended to opt for a professional solution. For non-technical users it becomes difficult to perform the manual steps in an accurate way. As a result of which they have to face data loss problems. Thus, to avoid all the catastrophic situations switch to the solution given below.

Solution 3: Recommended Solution to Fix Exchange Server is Not Available Issue

The users can easily resolve the error with the help of a trusted and efficient solution i.e. SysTools Outlook Recovery Software. The tool is having a user-friendly interface which makes easy for the users to operate and work with the tool. Moreover, the software also allows the users to repair and recover the damaged data files. Both technical and non-technical users can work with this tool in a hassle-free way.

Download Now Purchase Now

Summing Up

When any of errors are faced by the users, the situation becomes frustrating for them. Moreover, the errors also affect the performance of the operating system and there is a risk of data loss too. The Exchange Server is Unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action issue is faced in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 by most of the users while working with Microsoft Outlook. Therefore, in the above section, we have explained different solutions including both manual and automated approach. It is suggested to the user to opt for a reliable and instant solution. The tool will allow the user to fix all the issues in a seamless way without any data loss issue.

The post Troubleshoot Exchange Server is Unavailable Issue: Updated Guide appeared first on SysTools Software.

There was plenty of time, but still some organizations could not complete the transition on time. Now we are almost in 2026, so it has been a few months since the last security updates.

Microsoft had already predicted such a situation, so it announced the Extended Security Update. The organizations that opted for it got some extra time to move their existing Exchange Server customers. However, this program aims but does not guarantee to provide Security Updates (SU) for a limited time.

In this updated guide, I will strip away the “what if” scenarios and give you the cold, hard facts about where you stand right now.

Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 End of Life Aftermath

Let’s look at the calendar. Microsoft officially ended support for both Exchange 2016 and 2019 on October 14, 2025.

This means your server did not receive the November or December security patches.

• No Time Zone Updates: Your calendars might start acting weird soon.
• No Bug Fixes: If something breaks, Microsoft Support won’t help you unless you have a custom contract.
• High Security Risk: Many official reports, such as the recent BSI, made staggering revelations that nearly 92% of Exchange servers in Germany are unprotected. Hackers know these servers are unpatched. They are actively scanning for them right now.

What is Exchange Server Extended Security Update Exactly?

Any organization that is unable to switch over to the Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) on time can think of the ESU as a safety net. This will ensure that they continue to receive the Critical and Important updates (as per the MSRC score) even on the old Exchange Servers.

Microsoft has made it clear through their announcement that purchasing the ESU program does not mean that you will receive the updates.

Moreover, even if any SUs are released during the 6 months, customers won’t be able to access them directly. In other words, unlike the regular Patch Tuesday updates, there will be no publicly accessible link.

Instead, these updates will be provided privately to all organizations that choose to become ESU program subscribers. Although there is no official statement, we believe that your Microsoft Account team will be the one responsible for providing you with the security updates.

This is not the first time that such emergency extensions have been made by Microsoft. For example, when Windows 7 was expiring, it received an ESU program that lasted for up to three years(From 2020 to 2022). Even the soon-to-expire Windows 10 has an ESU package that can be bought from the Microsoft Volume Licensing Program, at USD 61 per device for Year One.

Both Windows Server 2012  and 2012 R2 (the OS on which all Exchange on-premises systems run) got a 3-year ESU pack. SQL Server 2012 also had a three-year ESU program.

When Does ESU Become Available & for How Long?

From August 1st, 2025, you can contact your Microsoft Account team and get the pricing details to deploy the Extended Security Update.

This update will last for 6 months from the date of expiry of the current systems, i.e., October 14, 2025, to April 14, 2026. Microsoft explicitly states that no further extensions or updates will be made available.

However, let me make it clear that the ESU is not a true extension of the expiry date for the on-premise Exchange Server.

Exchange Server is still on the new lifecycle policy, which means that both Exchange 2016 and 2019 are going to stop receiving official support on the pre-determined date. So you should not postpone your migration plans.

How Much Will the ESU Cost After Exchange 2016 and 2019 End of Life?

No official pricing has been revealed yet, but here’s what we know about the cost:

• It will be on a Per-Server basis. The more servers you have in your local environment, the more you have to pay.
• Organizations that need the ESU price quotation can contact their Microsoft account team on or after August 1, 2025.
• Moreover, we don’t think that a public price list will be made available.

Another important factor to keep in mind is that currently, only those organizations can get the ESU who have their Exchange Server directly from Microsoft. Customers who bought through a CSP or other reseller must wait for further announcements.

Should You Rely On ESU in the Exchange 2016 and 2019 EOL Era?

The Exchange 2016 and 2019 end of life dates have already passed. So this question becomes even more important. Microsoft recommends customers not to rely on this ESU program but instead move to the new version ASAP.

Here is the reality of ESU:

• The Clock is Ticking: This update window is strictly limited. It lasts only until April 14, 2026. That means you have less than 5 months of coverage left before the final hard stop.
• Private Access Only: Unlike regular “Patch Tuesday” updates, these are not public. If you buy the ESU, Microsoft provides these updates privately to your tenant.
• The Cost Factor: Pricing is on a Per-Server basis. Crucially, if you jump in now, be prepared for potential retroactive fees to cover the gap since October.

My Verdict: Unless you are a massive enterprise legally required to stay on-premise, chasing an ESU license now is a desperate measure. It is a Band-Aid, not a cure. You are better off putting that budget toward a permanent migration.

Since you can’t stay where you are, you have two paths forward. I help clients make this decision every day.

Stay On-Prem After Exchange 2016 and 2019 End of Life

If you simply must keep your data in your own server room, you need to move to the new Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE). This is the new standard, but the path to get there depends entirely on your starting point.

• For Exchange 2019 Admins: If you were smart and upgraded to CU15 before October, you can likely do an in-place upgrade to SE. It’s a relatively painless code swap.
• For Exchange 2016 Admins: This is the bad news. You cannot upgrade directly via an in-place update.

In the past, you might have performed an intermediate Exchange 2016 to 2019 migration just to get ready. But with the deadline passed, that “double hop” wastes too much time and resources. You need to perform a direct Exchange 2016 to Exchange SE migration by building a new server and moving the data immediately.

For that, you can use the SysTools Exchange to Exchange Migration software, which helps to conduct a smooth, effortless transition.

Download Now Purchase Now

Download a demo right now and try the software for free.

Jump to Office 365 after Exchange 2016 and 2019 End of Support

Honest talk? This is what 90% of my clients are doing. They are tired of the “End of Life” panic. They are moving to Exchange Online.

The Benefit: You never have to patch a server again.

The Problem: Moving terabytes of data from an unsupported, potentially vulnerable server is risky.

Yet if you use the SysTools Exchange to Office 365 migrator, you can shift with speed and security.

Conclusion

Here, we found that ESU is not a true extension to the Exchange 2016 and 2019 end-of-life date. Instead, Microsoft is offering a paid security package. Customers who can’t make the transition to the new setup before October 14, 2025, can use it to buy some time.

Moreover, those who use any of the older Exchange Server versions can’t transition to the SE edition directly. So, they can use the automated migration solution instead to fast-track their transition.

Frequently Asked Questions on Exchange 2016 and 2019 End of Life

Q: I missed the Exchange Server EOL deadline. Will Microsoft turn off my server?
A: No, unlike the cloud services, Microsoft does not possess the ability to remotely switch off your on-premises server. Your emails keep flowing as they did before the EOL. However, just because it works does not mean it’s safe. You are putting your systems at more risk every single minute you remain on an expired server.

Q. Did Exchange Server 2019 End of Life happen alongside Exchange 2016?
A: Yes, for the first time ever, Microsoft had put two different generations on Exchange Server in the EOL category at the same time. This was done to fast-track the transition to the new subscription edition model.

Q: If I buy ESU now, do I have to pay for October and November?
A: In my experience, yes. Microsoft typically requires you to buy “catch-up” licenses. You cannot just pay for the future months; you have to pay for the continuous coverage timeline, even if you buy it late.

The post Exchange 2016 and 2019 End of Life Passed: Your Emergency Guide appeared first on SysTools Software.

Unfortunately, there is no in-place upgrade that allows you to directly move from already expired Exchange Server 2016 to the new and improved Subscription Edition. Instead, we have to follow a process similar to an Exchange 2016 to 2019 migration.

Don’t worry, my guide covers the entire lifecycle of this project: the pre-migration checklist, the “minefield” of manual migration, and the automated solution that bypasses the pain.

Let’s start with the prerequisites first.

Exchange 2016 to Exchange SE Pre-Migration Tasks

Check the latest official system requirements for the new server and make sure you have all the necessary hardware in pristine condition.

Like, for example, Exchange SE explicitly mentions the availability of at least 128 GB RAM, which is quite a huge jump considering the 2016 edition could work with just 8 GB of memory.

The oldest Windows Server you can use for SE is 2019, compared to the majority of the Exchange 2016 installations, which were on Windows Server 2012 to 2016.

Therefore, obtaining a new OS is a top priority for Exchange 2016 to Exchange SE Migration.

Any loose ends will cause the installation to falter, and you may even risk losing your data.

There is no overlap between what used to work for Exchange 2016 and what is necessary to run Exchange SE.

The Active Directory offers a bit more flexibility. You remain functional even on the Windows Server 2012 R2 (though 2016+ is recommended).

Make any other necessary updates to the schema (do it for each domain individually). Don’t forget to add the IIS Rewriter Module, the .NET 4.8.1, and Visual C++ 2012/2013 redistributables.

Ensure you export all (*.pfx) security certificates and private keys.

Special instructions for those operating a hardware load balancer (e.g., F5, Kemp, etc). Make a new pool for Exchange SE. Don’t cut over the existing VIP (Virtual IP), as it could jeopardize the transfer.

How to Migrate Exchange 2016 to Exchange SE Manually (and Why I Avoid It)?

There are two manual approaches. The first one involves the use of Exchange Admin Center (EAC), while the other uses PowerShell’s New-MoveRequest command.

• Prepare Active Directory and Domains: The official guide for the schema extension process.
• Install Exchange Mailbox Servers: The step-by-step installation wizard guide.

If you try these methods in a lab environment with synthetic user data, it may seem super simple. However, in the real world, their actual limitations get exposed.

Failure at 95% prevents a Full Exchange 2016 to Exchange SE Migration​

Let’s consider a typical scenario: an admin like yourself prepares a batch of 50 users (typical for any small to medium-sized organization). He then starts a manual migration on Friday evening (smart decision, as during Weekends, regular use activity is slow, so more resources could be dedicated towards the migration)

However, when he comes back on Monday, assuming migration would be over by then and he could get the report, what he sees instead is that the batch is stuck at 95% synced.

Upon diagnosis, it is found that “Bad Items” (it could be corrupt calendar events or malformed MIME content) choked the migration pipeline. So the migration has to be postponed.

Data Transfer Stalls, and you can’t migrate Exchange 2016 to Exchange SE manually.

Exchange Server migration usually involves a terabyte of data. Now the problem is that you will be conducting the migration via the old hardware.

This could result in errors like mailboxes dismounting, extending the migration duration, and causing downtime for the users.

Lack of visibility and any real-time tracking is another reason why I won’t ever go with the manual method again. Then you might ask what the solution is. It’s simple, just use the most tried and tested solution.

Professional Exchange 2016 to Exchange SE Migration

The SysTools Exchange Migration Solution is simply the best. It offers transparent one-time pricing with a script-free GUI-style portal.

Download Now Purchase Now

Both small organizations and large enterprises love how simple and swift it is to move data between two different Exchange Servers with this tool at their disposal.

No matter what your reason to migrate is, this tool has you covered. Whether you want to adopt Exchange Server SE before your peers, or you dont want to deal with the security implications of both Exchange 2016 and Exchange 2019 EOL

You can try out the tool for free today. Simply download, install, and continue with the instructions below.

See How Easy it is to Load and Use the Tool

Here, I will explain the entire Exchange 2016 to Exchange SE Migration​ Step by Step via the automated tool:

Step 1: Get a copy of the software for your machine. On the setup screen, pick the correct endpoints, i.e., Exchange as both source and Destination.

Step 2: Select the exact workload you want to shift (Emails, Contacts, Calendars) and apply a timeline filter too.

Step 3: On the Source Screen, choose the correct Server configuration from the Dropdown and fill in all the mandatory details. Validate and hit Next. Repeat for the destination as well.

Step 4: Map the user from source to destination with the direct Fetch option or via the CSV Download – Import combo.

Step 5: The Final step is to monitor the user list within the Tool’s UI, select the users, validate them, and then press Start. That’s it, the tool handles the rest on its own.

Post Migration Guidelines for Exchange 2016 to Exchange SE Migration​

Moving the data is the most important part, but your job isn’t done yet. Follow this guide to completely quit the old server safely.

• Update the Firewall NAT rules to point towards the new server IP addresses.
• Make changes to your DNS records so that OWA, the clients, and every other piece of infrastructure that you use are on the same page.
• A smart tip that I, and many other veteran admins, follow is to lower DNS TTL (Time to Live) to 5 minutes.

Conclusion

Here, I showcased my strategy for the Exchange 2016 to Exchange SE migration. You have two options right now: either struggle with the manual bit-by-bit transfer or choose the right tool and migrate with ease.

With the tool, you transform a multi-week downtime-ridden project into a smooth, predictable, and fast process.

The post Exchange 2016 to Exchange SE Migration​ Done Right appeared first on SysTools Software.

Summary: Is your Exchange database stuck, leaving your secondary server in limbo? You’re not alone. Whether it is due to a simple storage issue or a deeper corruption problem, we’ve got you covered. This write-up will provide complete information to solve the error “Exchange database stuck in disconnected and resynchronizing.” 

Microsoft Exchange Server plays a crucial role by enabling seamless communication and data management in an IT organization and other industry verticals around the globe. However, it is also evident that it is very prone to occasional corruption and other issues that can cause trouble for the Exchange database or other data in it.

The Exchange Server is set up by using DAG where the two servers join together and form one Exchange access server along with database copies with each other. Sometimes in the Database Availability Group, the Exchange user and IT administrator come across the error where the secondary EDB is disconnected and resynchronized. Then users face failure in the secondary Exchange database whereas the primary DB is in a healthy state/condition. Before proceeding to the solution, let’s look at the query given below that is commonly asked by users:

Table of Content

• Why Does the ‘Disconnected and Resynchronizing’ Error Occur?
• Manual Solutions to Fix the Error
  • 1. Check Storage On Secondary Server
  • 2. Check the Port Connection
  • 3. Reseed the Failed Database Copy
  • 4. Use the Exchange Admin Center
  • 5. Verify Active Directory (AD) Health
  • 6. Check Network Connectivity and Latency
  • 7. Restart the Microsoft Exchange Replication Service
• Most Reliable & Secure Approach
• Bringing It All Together

Why Does the ‘Disconnected and Resynchronizing’ Error Occur?

There could be many reasons behind this error. Here we have mentioned some of the possible causes behind this issue:

1. Database corruption
2. A problem occurred in the Active Directory
3. Space size issue in the secondary server
4. Blocked ports such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) / User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

Manual Solution to Fix the Error

There are a few manual walkarounds to fix

1. Check Storage On Secondary Server

The first and foremost thing is to check whether the storage on the secondary server is filled because the storage is the primary requirement for smoothing running of the Database Availability Group. Also, check the drive that stores the EDB and transaction log files, and see the storage space in the disk.

If it is filled, then remove unimportant data after when you dismount the database Exchange 2016, 2013, and 2010, and mount it back to see if the error is fixed/resolved.

2. Check the Port Connection

While performing other tasks or operations sometimes the network team is mistakenly blocked by them. Navigate to the Microsoft Exchange Server settings and see if the following ports which are given below are blocked or not. If it is blocked, then unblock it.

• – TCP Port 135 for “RPC”
• – TCP Port 64327 for “Log Shipping”
• – UDP Port 3343 for “Node Communication”

3. Reseed the Failed Database Copy

Users can use this solution when the secondary server database copy has failed. Here, the Exchange admin creates a fresh copy of the failed Exchange database by using the replica of another database.

Insert the following command given below to check the health of the Exchange database copes in the Database Availability Group.

Get-MailboxDatabaseCopyStatus

It shows the healthy, failed, or suspended and failed for Microsoft Exchange database copies. You can use the EAC and EMS to reseeding the failed database copy.

4. Use the Exchange Admin Center

Step 1. Login to EAC > Navigate to Servers > Databases.

Step 2. Choose the Exchange database to reseed. On the right side user will see the details such as DB name, content index state, etc… > Then, click on the update option

Step 3. Update the Exchange database copy page > Click on the browse button > Add the source server name > Select the save button

Step 4. Then the reseeding process will be started> Wait for time till the completion process is complete.

Step 5. Then check the state of the database and see if it changed

If users are defining the source server then insert the command given below to update the suspended database

When the server isn’t defined then insert the cmdlet to update the database

If you come across any error in the transaction in the log file then use the command given below:

Before starting the reseeding procedure it doesn’t delete the log file

This manual solution helps users to resolve the error “Exchange database stuck in disconnected and resynchronizing”. But if the cause behind this issue is corruption, we have to look for other options.

Most Reliable & Secure Approach

Recommended Solution: Use SysTools Exchange Server Recovery software to remove corruption from the offline / dismounted Microsoft Exchange database file and repair Exchange mailbox. This recovery manager for Exchange database tool provides Quick and Advance scan option that recover and repair EDB file which is severely damaged or corruption with no data loss.

Download Now Purchase Now

Moreover, this is an advanced recovery tool that easily recovers an unhealthy/damaged/corrupted Exchange database file without any data loss. It extracts mailboxes from EDB File Exchange 2016/2013 after recovery and exports them directly to the Live Exchange Server, Office 365, and HTML, PST, EML, MBOX, MSG, and PDF file formats in a simplified way.

5. Verify Active Directory (AD) Health

Another possible reason could be the issues in the Active Directory, it can also cause synchronization issues in the Database Availability Group (DAG).

Here are the steps to check the AD Health:

• Step 1. Use the following command to Check Replication to ensure all domain controllers are replicating correctly. 

repadmin /showrepl

• Step 2. Look for errors in the Directory Service log to check Event Viewer.
• Step 3. Use the following command to force synchronization between domain controllers to Synchronize AD.

repadmin /syncall

6. Check Network Connectivity and Latency 

Another potential reason could be the network issues between the primary and secondary servers can also result in improper synchronization.

Here are the steps to check the Network Connectivity and Latency:

• Step 1. You can use the Ping Test to check the connectivity between the servers. Run the below command: 

ping <SecondaryServerName>

• Step 2. Check the DAG network status and make sure it’s up and functional.
• Step 3. Another important factor to check is the Review of Event Logs. Check, if there are any network-related warnings or errors in the application and system logs. 

7. Restart the Microsoft Exchange Replication Service

Last but not least, restarting the service can resolve the issues of the Exchange Database being Stuck In Disconnected and Resynchronizing. Follow the below steps for the same:

• Step 1. On the secondary server, go to Services.
• Step 2. Navigate to Microsoft Exchange Replication Service.
• Step 3. Right-click and select Restart.

Bringing It All Together

Now users can fix the error ”Exchange database stuck in disconnected and resynchronizing” easily by using the manual solution provided in this write-up. If the problem occurred because of corruption then the user can use the recovery solution that resolves the database corruption Exchange 2010, 2013, 2016 efficiently without losing any data.

The post How to Fix Exchange Database Stuck In Disconnected and Resynchronizing Error? appeared first on SysTools Software.

To setup the Exchange Server 2013, user must have to configure the DAG (Database Availability Group) and Exchange database mailbox copies. For this, firstly you have to make sure that you should meet all the requirements which are present in Exchange 2013 Server Standard or Enterprise edition such as: how many mailbox databases you will have and the Exchange Services hosted by two or more servers must have the same OS level that is the Exchange 2013 standard or enterprise edition should be updated with the same patches.

Every Database Availability Group (DAG) must have a dedicated network for Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) & another for the replication network. Exchange Server requires a minimum of two networks and can support more networks than this. You have to cater the hardware as well as the bandwidth between the sites depending on the email flow and no. of users.

When you don’t meet the requirement and move forward to complete the setup, then you may have to face the issues such as: your Exchange database health issue or replication. You will see such issues with the error – redundancy health check failing on the Microsoft Exchange 2013 Server.

The failure of health check can also occur due to corrupted / damaged / unhealthy EDB. For this, first check Exchange database status and then repair it by using ESEUTIL tool or the advanced software provided by SysTools i.e. Exchange Server Recovery Software which provides Quick and Advance scan mode that easily resolves database corruption Exchange 2010/2013/2016 and repair EDB file automatically with no data loss.

The Error – Database Redundancy Two-Copy Health Check Failed

Having two servers running Exchange Mailbox, Client Access Server (CAS), and hub roles together with an Exchange Server DAG setup geo-located with different subnets connected to a site-to-site VPN, Windows Server 2012 R2 and Exchange 2013 Server standard configured.

In the event log, you can see the no. of error message in the application log on MSExchangeRepl along with many Event IDs such as: 4113, 2059, & 2153.

How to Fix the “Exchange 2013 Database Redundancy Two-Copy Health Check Failed”?

There could be so many possibilities that is the cause of this error. For this, first users have to check the Exchange Server log and see if there is any changed in that or not. After checking, if all the log are correct then check the connectivity. In that verify the connection speed, lost packet during transmission, and if there is any disconnected or not. Also, check any changes in the network firewall or configuration changes.

Then check the AD (Active Directory) Servers are working properly with the “repadmin /replsummary” to see replication between site is okay. After that, use the /queue to check if there are any blocked or processed item.

Use the /showrepl command the AD partition overview. Also, you can check DNS is healthy & replicating between sites. Microsoft Exchange Server fully depends on you Active Directory schema and if the AD, as well as DNS, aren’t healthy than you have Exchange Problem.

Another thing to keep in mind is the amount of mailboxes with their size and the size of the original database. It would be wise to segment users based on their department or location. Other option is to create the new Exchange database and move all the EDB mailboxes into it.

Users can also use another option i.e. to reseed the database depending on the bandwidth & size. This process takes time to finalize.

You can also use the backup software but make sure that the tool is compatible with Exchange Server DAG because using the wrong create chaos in your setup and also create corrupted or damaged database.

Run the Exchange PowerShell command Test-ReplicationHealth and if you encounter an error on “DatabaseRedundancy and DatabaseAvailaibility” then you have to go through the setup. Also, check the network card again, if you are using one, add another card because the minimum that is used in the server is two.

For reseeding the other copy, login to the EAC (Exchange Admin Center) >> Go to Servers >> Database. Then, users will see that the “Bad Copy Count” of the mailbox database is 1. Select the database which has issues.

Click the update button and follow the wizard to see the problem you are seeing in the database copy. If everything goes well then the database should be re-seed and issues resolved, but first be cautious in reseeding the database to see what impact it makes on connections & users. If the problem isn’t resolved, in that case, users can use the Exchange Server Recovery Software that repair Exchange mailbox and EDB file from corruption without any loss of data and export directly to the Live Exchange Server, Office 365, and multiple file formats by using recovery manager of Exchange database utility.

Bringing It All Together

Now users have complete information on how to fix the error “database redundancy two-copy health check failed” in Exchange 2013 Server. If the solution doesn’t work and your Exchange database is severely corrupted then you can use the advanced software mentioned here which remove corruption from offline/dismounted EDB file and export the healthy as well as recovered mailboxes to the Exchange Server, O365 and various file format in a simplified manner.

The post How to Fix “Database Redundancy Two-Copy Health Check Failed” In Exchange” Error? appeared first on SysTools Software.

Sometime when an IT administrator or Exchange user tries to mount the dismounted Exchange database file then they will encounter the database mounting error. This generally occurs when Microsoft Exchange Server has not enough space when the database is not in a clean state, corruption issue, and many other reasons.

They receive the following error:

Solutions to Fix Error MapiExceptionNetworkError Unable To Mount Database (hr=0x80040115, ec=-2147221227)

To mount the Exchange database use the solution given in the below section and resolve the Error: MapiExceptionNetworkError: Unable to make admin interface connection to server. (hr=0x80040115, ec=-2147221227).

Solution 1: Check Exchange System Attendant Service

This service is one of the core components of the Microsoft Exchange Server services. So, it is important to check weather it is working properly or not. If you find that something wrong with Exchange System Attendant Service, then right-click on it and click on restart.

Note: User can check the Exchange Information Store and Replication Service. It if is not running then do the same as you do with the Exchange System Attendant Service.

Solution 2: Check the State of Exchange Database

It is very important to check the Microsoft database state because the database is not in clean shutdown state then the first user have to recover the Exchange dirty shutdown state to mount it back.

Follow the command given below to check the state of MS Exchange database state:

Get-MailboxDatabase Status | % {eseutil /mh $_.edbfilepath }

Output:

The result shows on the screen is that the state of the database if dirty shutdown and to mount the Exchange database again, users need to bring back the state into a clean shutdown. Then you resolve the error MapiExceptionNetworkError: Unable to make admin interface connection to server. (hr=0x80040115, ec=-2147221227).

In the screenshot, it is showing that there are missing log files and to recover it back you have to perform the soft recovery in Exchange database by using ESEUTILutility.

Insert the command given below:

After that check the log file heath by using the cmdlet given below:

Resultant File:

Check one more time the state of the database

As you can see that the Exchange database is in a clean shutdown state. You can mount the database again.

Note: If the soft recovery is unable to change the database state i.e. Dirty Shutdown. Then use can perform hard recovery command – eseutil /p “enter the database path” . After that user need to defrag Exchange mailbox database by inserting the cmdlet – eseutil /d “name of the database” . At last, you have to use the Isinteg command – Isinteg –s “server_name”  -fix –test alltests to check the database integrity.

But it is highly recommended not to perform hard recovery because in this process user will face huge data loss and it will hard to predict how much data is lost. Users can use the professional solution i.e. Exchange Recovery Software provided by SysTools to fix the dirty shutdown error by repairing the Exchange database file.

Solution 3: Use Professional Solution

Exchange Recovery Software recover the offline / dismounted Microsoft Exchange database file and  repair Exchange mailbox from corruption. The utility provides scan mode option (Quick and Advance scan) that removes corruption and repair EDB file with no data loss. By default, the EDB file goes through quick scanning mode which recovers minor corrupted .edb file, and for the high corruption, the user can select the advance scan mode.

After selecting this option the software which resolve database corruption Exchange 2010, 2013, 2016 and repair the Exchange database without losing single bit of data, then the user can mount the database and the Error: MapiExceptionNetworkError: Unable to make admin interface connection to server. (hr=0x80040115, ec=-2147221227) is solved.

The advance scan also recovers permanently deleted Exchange mailboxes (archive, shared, legacy, user, disconnected) and data items (emails, contacts, calendars, notes, journals, tasks) from the loaded Exchange database file. You can select this option and recover deleted mailbox after retention period. After repair the Exchange .edb file the tool export it directly to the Live Exchange Server, Office 365, and various file formats – PST, EML, PDF, MBOX, HTML, MSG.

The utility provides graphical interface which helps the user to perform their job easily and it doesn’t require any technical and in-depth knowledge to use the tool. Also, it allow you to recover purged mailboxes and items with no data loss.

It supports all version of Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, & 2019. After exporting the Exchange data the software auto-generates the export report which contains the success and fail count in CSV file format.

Key Features Of Automated Software

1. Recover and repair multiple corrupted EDB file
2. Extract data from public folders and private mailboxes
3. Preview MS Exchange mailbox items before conversion
4. Maintain actual folder structure and keep metadata intact
5. Remove encryption from Exchange mailbox i.e. (SMIME/OpenPGP) in batch
6. Recover purged data items and mailboxes stored in offline/dismounted Exchange database file
7. Extract mailbox from EDB File Exchange 2013/2016 to multiple file format
8. Compatible with Microsoft Outlook, Exchange Server, and MS Windows OS versions

Bringing It All Together

This write-up provides complete information to solve error mapiexceptionnetworkerror unable to mount database (hr=0x80040115, ec=-2147221227). When the user is unable to recover the database state from dirty to clean shutdown by using the manual solution provided here. Then they can use the professional solution described in the above section which helps them to repair the Exchange database easily without writing any cmdlet. When the mailboxes are repaired then you can easily mount the Exchange database.

The post How to Fix Error MapiExceptionNetworkError Unable To Mount Database (hr=0x80040115, ec=-2147221227)? appeared first on SysTools Software.

Being an IT admin myself, I was put in charge of shifting over 1000 users between two on-premise Exchange Servers (2016 to 2019).  This experience taught me quite a lot. And I am here to share everything so you can also achieve the same success I did.

Moreover, as the Exchange 2016 and 2019 end-of-life has already passed, you can no longer rely on Microsoft to keep your system up to date. Although your actual goal may be to adopt the all-new Exchange Server SE, there is no direct migration path from Exchange 2016.

Only servers running the latest CU 15 version of Exchange 2019 can transition into the Exchange Server Subscription Edition.

Not to mention the recent Exchange Online outage and privacy concerns with keeping critical company data on the cloud, many companies wish to continue with their on-premises systems.

That is why, in this guide, I give you an in-depth understanding of how to undertake the upgrade safely and step-by-step. Additionally, the tutorial is made in such a language that admins, regardless of prior experience or technical know-how, can move data across the versions with minimal downtime and zero loss. So, without further ado, let us start with the prerequisites.

Questions to Ask Before Exchange 2016 to 2019 Migration

Q1. Does your organization use a disjoint namespace (eg, domain.com and sub.domain.com) where your primary DNS suffix is different from the domains’ computer objects use in the local Active Directory?

This scenario is common that occurs after an M&A activity. Where your organization gets acquired by another business, or is acquired by another company, or merged with another organization.

There could be security constraints that force you to keep the Active Directory administration and the Network administration team separate. Here, too, you would use a disjoint namespace.

Q2. Is your current Exchange 2016 Server using the Unified Messaging Feature?

Exchange 2019 no longer supports UM for voicemails. If you want to retain this ability, you must use third-party voicemail solutions. Take extra care when you perform the deployment. Otherwise, there is a risk that your mailboxes will cease to function and you get flooded with hundreds of user complaints.

Q3. Are you planning to make new public mailboxes and/or migrate existing Public mailboxes?

If you want to retain all the data on your previous system, i.e., the Exchange 2016 server, you must migrate all the public folders as well.

Q4. Do you need an Edge Transport Server role?

This service sits outside of your main AD environment and handles internet-facing mail flow, plus SMTP relay (along with smart hosts).

Organizations use it to reduce their exposed attack surface and enhance security. There can be 3 scenarios:

• You want it on the new version, and already have an ETS from the previous edition
• You want it on the Exchange 2019 server, but don’t have it on the 2016 deployment.
• You don’t want the Edge Transport Server (this may be to reduce the deployment complexity)

Overview of Exchange 2016 to 2019 Migration from Start to End

To ensure an error-free migration, you need to follow a detailed and step-by-step approach. Follow the stages accordingly:

What are the Pre-Migration Steps for A Successful Transfer?

Pre-migration is important because without it, your task will get delayed. So, before you begin shifting the data, ensure the following.

• Update your Exchange 2016 server to the latest CU23 edition.
• Go through the latest release notes to conduct an error-free upgrade to the 2019 version.
• Study the system requirements and make all necessary changes to the hardware and supporting software (AD, Email Clients, etc.).
• Use Windows Server 2012 R2 or later. Upgrade to the latest version (ideally, it should be Windows 2019 or 2022).
• Add the necessary permissions and privileges to the admin accounts responsible for the migration. (Tip: Use RBAC), But remember, Edge Transport does not use role-based access control. Instead, the account must be part of the local administrators group.
• Collect information about your to-be-installed Exchange 2019 server.

DNS Configuration

• Configure the disjoint namespace.
• Add the Default Offline Address Book.
• Build an Edge Transport DNS suffix.

Role Installation

• Install the Mailbox server role.
• Install the Edge Transport server role.
• Install Office Online Server.

Exchange Server Configuration

• Create an Exchange administrator mailbox.
• Create a public folder mailbox.

Set up Client Access

• Configure external URLs.
• Configure internal URLs.
• Configure Exchange Server certificates.

Additional Installation Tasks During Exchange 2016 to 2019 Migration

• Move arbitration mailboxes.
• Subscribe to the Edge Transport server.
• Remove legacy Edge subscriptions.
• Configure the service connection point.
• Configure DNS records.

Finalize Migration

• Move user mailboxes.
• Move existing public folder mailboxes.

Different Ways to Migrate Exchange 2016 to Exchange 2019

Mailbox Migration Strategies: Whichever way you choose, don’t try to move everyone at once! Start with a pilot group. The following migration options are available:

Method 1. Migrate Exchange 2016 to Exchange 2019 Via EAC:

The Exchange Admin Centre offers a graphical way to create migration batches and move mailboxes from the 2016 version to a different database on the 2019 server. The process, when done via EAC, looks something like this:

• Step 1. Log in to EAC, go to Recipients > Migration
• Step 2. Click on the + icon > Select Move to a different database.
• Step 3. Pick mailboxes > Specify target db.
• Step 4. Configure move settings > Migrate.

Method 2. Exchange 2016 to Exchange 2019 Migration Using PowerShell

The New-MoveRequest command is your workhorse.

Example:

Get-Mailbox -Database "OldDB" | New-MoveRequest -TargetDatabase "NewDB2019" -BatchName "PilotBatch".

Monitor with:

Get-MoveRequestStatistics.

Method 3. Migrate Exchange 2016 to 2019 Without Fail

Although the native EAC and PowerShell methods are available and technically free, they carry inherent risks of migration failures, lost mailboxes, data corruption, and more. The error resolution itself is quite time-consuming, increasing the overall timeline of the integration significantly.  That’s why it’s better to choose an automated solution such as the one with a built-in retry failure option and the following features.

Download Now Purchase Now

Steps to Migrate Exchange 2016 to 2019 Using the Software

Step 1. Launch the tool on your system, and on the setup screen, choose Exchange Server as both the source and the destination.

Step 2. On the setup screen, mark the check box next to the workloads you wish to transfer and apply a date filter. Then press Next.

Step 3. In the source screen, you put the Exchange Details, i.e., admin ID, password, and IP addresses of both the server and the AD. Plus, you can include the subdomains for this Exchange 2016 to 2019 migration. Validate and, when successful, press Next.

Step 4. Likewise, do a similar admin + server credential validation for the destination, and once done, press Next.

Step 5. The user mapping screen has three options: Fetch users directly, Import a premade CSV, or Download, edit a template, and upload it. Choose the one that is best for you.

Step 6. Once the user list appears inside the tool, mark the check box next to the user names, prioritize a few critical accounts, validate, and click on Start to migrate Exchange 2016 to 2019.

Exchange 2016 to 2019 Post Migration Tasks and Verification

• Add the product key before your trial expires (you have almost 4 months or 120 days).
• Revoke all permissions that are no longer needed.
• Configure high availability and site resilience for mailboxes (you need to have more than two Mailbox servers).
• Make updates to both internal and external DNS records ( including Autodiscover, OWA, and MX) so that they now point to Exchange 2019 instead of Exchange 2016.
• Lower TTL values beforehand for quicker propagation, which gives the  admin the option to conduct a rollback if a need arises
• Test Outlook (desktop & mobile) and OWA connectivity and functionality.
• Ask users to send test emails internally and externally.
• Continuous performance monitoring should be done for a few weeks post-migration to see if the 2019 servers’ performance is on par.
• Now, point the SCP on Exchange 2019 servers to themselves so new clients automatically connect there.
• Revoke the Exchange Server 2016 in the same way we decommissioned Exchange Server 2013.
• Continue to manage and maintain Exchange 2019 until its End of Life (EOL) in October of 2025.

Official Guidelines for Upgrading Exchange 2016 to 2019 As Per Microsoft Webinar

Here are some highlights that I believe would be helpful for any admins looking to switch over from Exchange 2016 to 2019.

• It is recommended that you follow the Exchange Server Deployment Assistant and use the Exchange Sizing Calculator to figure out what will be the best route for your environment.
• The Disk Space you are adding should cover not only all the primary data but also secondary server-generated data, like the “mail.que” file.
• Plus, when you add the IIS URL Rewrite Module, you should download and install this manually instead of the Web Platform. The Web installer is notorious for adding unwanted software to your server.
• While adding certificates, make sure you use the CAPI1 certificate, as EdgeSync does not support newer CNG certificates.
• During the Q/A session of the online discussion, a user pointed out that the default 128 GB RAM requirement seemed overkill for a small user environment (50-100 members). Followed by a question asking if 16 GB would be enough.
• To which the presenter replied that 16 GB is too little and will cause the server to crash the moment usage increases. The consensus came out that a 32-64 GB RAM machine will be the best way to balance both cost and functionality.
• Use the official HealthChecker.ps1 PowerShell script to check if all systems are functional or not.

Conclusion

So now you know how an Exchange 2016 to 2019 migration is done. Here, I have shown you that there are, in fact, two different methods through which the upgrade can be done.

One is a manual method, which is error-prone and slow. The tool, on the other hand, transforms the complex process into an easy step-by-step process. So, using it is in the best interest of any organization that wants its on-premises system ready for the SE edition.

The post How to Migrate Exchange 2016 to 2019: A Guide for Admins appeared first on SysTools Software.

Everyone aims to take full advantage of cloud services in this technologically dynamic digital world. And, they consider Office 365 as the most trusted cloud platform.

Why not?

Keeping pace with changing technology is the key to staying in the business. Organizations, regardless of size, are realizing this fact and migrating from hosted servers to Office 365.

This is the era of cloud computing; moving to the cloud is the new trend today. Many users are exporting their emails from Exchange Server to Exchange Online (Office 365) every day, due to several reasons. However, many people are not aware of this process.

Keeping their need in mind, this post will describe two popular methods to move from hosted Exchange server to Office 365.

Overview of Contents 

• What are the Benefits of Migrating from Hosted Exchange?
• Easiest Way to Migrate from Hosted Exchange to Office 365
• How to Migrate from Hosted Exchange to Office 365?
• Technique A: Using Cutover Migration
• Technique B: Using Staged Migration
• Technique C: Using Minimal Hybrid Configuration
• Software Working Steps
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Benefits of Migrating from Hosted Exchange to Office 365?

There are several benefits to migrating from a hosted Exchange server to Office 365, which is a cloud-based version of Microsoft’s email and calendar platform. Some of these benefits include:

• Scalability – Office 365 can easily scale to accommodate a growing number of users and their email needs.
• Reliability – It is built on Microsoft’s global, secure, and reliable cloud infrastructure, so it is less likely to experience downtime or other technical issues.
• Security – It includes built-in security features such as anti-spam and anti-malware protection, as well as encryption and data loss prevention capabilities.
• Cost savings – By moving to Office 365, organizations can reduce the costs associated with maintaining their own Exchange servers and infrastructure.
• Accessibility – It allows users to access their email and calendar from anywhere with an internet connection, making it easy for employees to work remotely.
• Integration – Office 365 can be integrated with other Microsoft 365 apps such as SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams for better collaboration and communication.

Quick Solution to Bring Hosted Exchange to the Cloud?

If you don’t want to get stuck with the confusing manual migration setup, choose the Microsoft MVP-recommended SysTools IMAP to Office 365 Migration Tool right away. It is one of the most convenient and secure tools that can execute multiple migration projects at the same time. You can apply a date filter to migrate data selectively, and you can also prioritize the user mailbox that would migrate first in the batch migration.

Free Download Purchase Now

5 Quick Steps for Migrating Hosted Exchange to Office 365

• Step 1. Download, Install, and Run the Software.
• Step 2. Select IMAP as the Source and Office 365 as the Destination.
• Step 3. From Workload Click on the Email and Apply Date Filter.
• Step 4. Login with Respective Admin Credentials and Validate.
• Step 5. Select Users and Click on the Start Migration Button.

How to Migrate from Hosted Exchange to Office 365?

Migrating from a hosted server to a new environment like Office 365 is not an easy task. Hence, knowing available options is an added benefit. There are a few ways that you can choose for this operation, including Cutover, Staged, and Hybrid Migration. Let’s discuss them separately.

[Note: Choosing the right approach is as important as knowing]

However, irrespective of migration methods, some common steps are crucial for accurate migrations from a hosted Exchange server to Office 365.

Common Pre-Migration Steps to Ensure Safe Data Transfer

These steps are common in all migration methods discussed below; make sure to follow them all before proceeding to the pilot migration.

1. Prepare the Office 365 Tenant; Domain Ownership Verification

The very first step of this migration is to verify the Office 365 domain you own. This step bears importance as Admins need to create email IDs in the O365 environment for the users. Adding and verifying the domain is therefore essential before the beginning of the export process. Follow the steps mentioned here to complete this step:

a) Log in to your Office 365 account.

b) Navigate to Settings and choose the Domains option.

c) Click on Add domain located on the Domains page.

d) Domain wizard will open. Enter the domain name your organization uses in the Exchange Server, for example, contoso.com. Then click Next.

e) Select the TXT record tab to verify the domain. This option usually helps to verify ownership.

f) Once you have added TXT, wait for around 15 minutes. Then move to the next step.

g) Now click on Done>> Verify Now in the wizard. A verification page will open.

h) At this point, select I’ll manage my own DNS records option. End the process here and do not go to the next domain wizard step.

2. Ensure Outlook Anywhere (RPC over HTTP) and Autodiscover are Enabled

• Outlook Anywhere: It is required to be enabled on your Exchange server, as it allows Office 365 to connect with your Exchange server.
• Autodiscover: Configure Autodiscover and make sure it is working; it allows Office 365 to locate mailboxes on the hosted Exchange Server.

3. Sync or Create User Accounts in Office 365

• Account Synchronization: You need to make sure that all the user accounts of Office 365 match to accounts in the hosted Exchange server. You can do this by using Azure AD Connect to synchronize users from Active Directory to Office 365.
• Mailbox Creation: The user mailboxes in Office 365 must be ready to receive migrated data, either through manual creation or account synchronization.

4. Update the Records of Public DNS

After migrating the hosted Exchange to Office 365, change the MX record to point to Microsoft Office 365. The purpose of this step is to route all the new emails coming from this mailbox to Office 365. Users also have to complete the setup of different DNS records like CNAME, TXT, and SRV.

5. Security and Compliance

• MFA and Security Settings: After migration, review and configure security settings in Office 365, including enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users, reviewing data loss prevention (DLP) policies, and ensuring compliance standards are met.

The following section describes different approaches that you can follow to move from hosted to Office 365. However, it is always a great idea to check the complete pre and post-migration checklist plan for Microsoft Office 365 here.

Technique A: Cutover Migration

A cutover migration is best suited for small to medium-sized organizations with fewer than 2,000 mailboxes that can tolerate some downtime.

Step-by-Step Guide to Migrate Hosted Exchange to Office 365 Via Cutover Migration

Step 1. Log in to the Exchange admin center and navigate to Recipients, click on Migration, and choose + > Migrate to Exchange Online.

Step 2. Select Cutover Migration and follow the prompts to start the migration. Provide the valid credentials for your hosted Exchange administrator account. After that, Microsoft 365 will try to establish a connection to your Exchange server.

Step 3. Once the connection gets established then Office 365 will start scanning and synchronizing all the respective user mailboxes. It will take some time, depending on the number of users involved in the migration and their mailbox size.

Step 4. Once synchronization is complete, the mailboxes will be migrated to Office 365 in bulk.

Technique B: Using Staged Migration to Migrate Hosted Exchange to Office 365

Staged migration is best suited for medium to large organizations (over 2,000 mailboxes) that want to migrate mailboxes in batches and reduce downtime.

Step-by-Step Guide to Migrate Hosted Exchange to Office 365 Via Staged Migration

Step 1. Log in to the Exchange admin center and navigate to Recipients, click on Migration, and choose  + > Migrate to Exchange Online.

Step 2. Select Staged Migration and enter the valid credentials of the hosted Exchange admin account.

Step 3. For bulk or batch user migration, prefer downloading the sample CSV file offered by Microsoft. Specify the user accounts accordingly based on department, location, or other criteria, and make the CSV ready to import.

Step 4. Now upload the CSV file with the mailboxes to migrate and initiate the migration. Microsoft 365 will start syncing the mailboxes in batches. It will migrate emails, contacts, and calendars to the destination Office 365 accounts. Meanwhile, users can normally use the hosted Exchange server environment throughout the process.

Technique C:  Using Minimal Hybrid Configuration

Minimal Hybrid Configuration or Express migration is a simplified way of migrating mailbox data from hosted Exchange into Office 365. Using this method, users can avoid “Full Hybrid deployment” and perform the migration with a minimum subset configuration. In this section, readers will come to know about the method of hosted exchange to O365 migration in only 6 steps.

Note: Minimal Hybrid Configuration can only be used if the user has never used a Full Hybrid deployment. If Full Hybrid deployment has ever been configured before, users will not see the Minimal Hybrid option in the Hybrid Configuration Wizard.

Also Read: How to Migrate Teams from One Tenant to Another? Know the Challenges & Their Solution

Step 1: Start Hosted Exchange Minimal Migration to Office 365

Now, use global admin credentials to sign in to your Office 365 account. Make sure the system you are using is domain-joined to the hosted Exchange.

a) From the Admin center of Office 365, click Setup>> Data migration from the left pane.

b) The Data Migration page will open, where you have to choose the Exchange option under the ‘Select your data service’ section.

c) Next, click on the Download application button to download Office 365 Hybrid Configuration Wizard and run it.

d) Click Next on the welcome screen of the Hybrid Configuration Wizard.

e) On the next page, name the Exchange Server Organization, keep the default values as they are. Only click on Next, and the wizard will connect to the Exchange Server by default.

f) Enter credentials for the Hosted Exchange Server and Exchange Server Online on the next page, named Credentials. Click Next, and the credentials will get validated.

g) On the next page, termed Hybrid Features, click the radio button of Minimal Hybrid Configuration>> Next.

h) Click Update on the Ready for Update page. This will prepare the hosted Exchange mailboxes for migration of Hosted Exchange to Office 365.

Step 3: Provisioning Users

a) While you are on the User Provisioning page, enable the radio button beside “Synchronize my users and passwords one time (Recommended)”>> click Next.

At this stage, users will be asked to synchronize hosted Exchange with Office 365 by downloading and installing the Azure AD Connect wizard.

b) Download and run Azure AD Connect and then select Express settings default options.

When the synchronization is done, users will be redirected to the Data Migration page of Office 365. On that page, all synchronized users will be visible. This is a one-time synchronization process and remains turned off for Office 365 accounts.

Step 4: Assign Users the Licenses of Office 365

At this stage, you have to assign users their Office 365 licenses. Then, cloud mailboxes will get assigned to these users, which will be used for importing hosted Exchange mailbox data. Like the given image, the requirement of a license will be indicated under the Status column on the Data Migration page.

If your business uses a hosted Exchange via Intermedia, see our dedicated guide on how to migrate from Intermedia to Office 365 account right now.

Go to Admin center>> Users>> Active users. Now assign licenses to the users.

Step 5: Initiate User Mailbox Migration

Since the part of assigning users and their licenses is over, you can now start mailbox transfer by moving to the Data migration page. On that, you need to perform these steps:

a) Click on the Setup option and then Data Migration. Then click on Exchange.

b) Select the mailboxes you wish to migrate from the hosted Exchange account to Office 365>> click on the Start Migration button.

Tips: To make sure that everything is working fine, initially migrate some mailboxes.

As the migration takes place, the progress status will be shown on the Data Migration page.

Must Read: How to Perform Tenant to Tenant Migration in Microsoft 365?

Technique D: Easiest Way to Migrate from Hosted Exchange to Office 365 (Exchange Online)

Some of the Modern Features of Software 

• The software allows you to migrate data from all IMAP-supported email clients to Office 365.
• It offers you an in-built date filter option to migrate only the required data to the destination.
• It can migrate Hosted Exchange data to Regular, Archive, and Shared mailboxes of Office 365.
• With this software, you can set the migration priority for user accounts to undergo migration first.
• This software is developed in a way that it can migrate the newly arrived data in the source account through the delta migration option.
• At the end of the migration process, the software generates two types of reports: a summary and a detailed report.
• It works with all the latest versions of Windows OS, such as Windows 10 and Windows 11 OS.

Detailed Software Working Steps to Migrate Hosted Exchange to Office 365

Step 1. Download, install, and launch the software on your computer.

Free Download Purchase Now

Step 2. Now choose IMAP as the source and Office 365 as the destination migration platform.

Step 3. Enable the Email checkbox under the Workload Selection and apply the date filter if required.

Step 4. In this step, choose your preferred IMAP server from the available dropdown menu. The rest of the details will be automatically filled in by the software. Validate required permissions and click on Next.

Step 5. Log in with the destination Office 365 admin account credentials and validate permissions by clicking on the Validate button. Then click on Next.

Step 6. Create user mapping for bulk user migration through fetch users, import users, or download templates. And validate the required permission.

Step 7. Provide the Source App Password for the desired accounts you want to migrate. Then, click on the Validate button and then click on the Start migration button to migrate Hosted Exchange to Office 365.

Also Read: How to migrate Exchange Server 2010 to Office 365?  

Conclusion

If you are an Exchange Server administrator, you might need to migrate your data from the hosted Exchange server to Office 365. In this post, I have discussed how you can use different approaches to perform a step-by-step migration process safely. You can choose any of these methods based on your requirements.

Read Also: How to Find Exchange Server Version?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Hosted Exchange?

Hosted Exchange is a type of service where a business rents/subscribes to MS Exchange Server offered by a third party like GoDaddy or Intermedia.

What Makes Office 365 Better than a Hosted Exchange?

The sheer number of extra features you get apart from the default email makes it a no-brainer.

The post How to Migrate from Hosted Exchange to Office 365 Using 4 Ways appeared first on SysTools Software.