Upgrading to Exchange Server Subscription Edition from Exchange On-Premises: Step-by-Step Guide

Upgrading from an existing on-premises Exchange Server deployment to the Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) can seem daunting, but with the right planning and execution, it can be a smooth process. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step approach to Upgrading to Exchange Server Subscription Edition, including essential commands and best practices to ensure a successful transition.

Here are details how to Upgrading to Exchange Server Subscription Edition?

What is Exchange Server Subscription Edition?

The Exchange Server Subscription Edition is a new licensing model from Microsoft that provides a yearly subscription for on-premises email solutions. It includes continuous updates, security patches, and support, making it an attractive option for organizations that need to maintain control over their email infrastructure.

Prerequisites for Upgrading

Before starting the upgrade process, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

1. Supported Versions: You must be running Exchange Server 2019 or later. Older versions (e.g., Exchange 2016 or 2013) require an intermediate upgrade to Exchange 2019 first.
2. Hardware Requirements: Verify that your hardware meets the requirements for Exchange Server SE.
3. Operating System: Ensure your servers are running a supported version of Windows Server (e.g., Windows Server 2022).
4. Backup: Take a full backup of your existing Exchange Server environment, including databases, configurations, and customizations.
5. Licensing: Purchase the Exchange Server Subscription Edition license from Microsoft or a authorized reseller.

Step-by-Step Upgrade Guide

Step 1: Prepare Your Environment

1. Check Current Exchange Version
   Run the following command in Exchange Management Shell to check your current Exchange version:

Get-ExchangeServer | Format-List Name, Edition, AdminDisplayVersion

Ensure you are running Exchange Server 2019 or later.

2. Update Windows Server
   Ensure your Windows Server is up to date with the latest patches and updates.
3. Install Prerequisites
   Install the required .NET Framework, Visual C++ Redistributables, and other dependencies. For example:

Install-WindowsFeature RSAT-ADDS, NET-Framework-45-Features, RPC-over-HTTP-proxy, RSAT-Clustering, RSAT-Clustering-Mgmt, RSAT-Clustering-PowerShell, WAS-Process-Model, Web-Asp-Net45, Web-Basic-Auth, Web-Client-Auth, Web-Digest-Auth, Web-Dir-Browsing, Web-Dyn-Compression, Web-Http-Errors, Web-Http-Logging, Web-Http-Redirect, Web-Http-Tracing, Web-ISAPI-Ext, Web-ISAPI-Filter, Web-Lgcy-Mgmt-Console, Web-Metabase, Web-Mgmt-Console, Web-Mgmt-Service, Web-Net-Ext45, Web-Request-Monitor, Web-Server, Web-Stat-Compression, Web-Static-Content, Web-Windows-Auth, Web-WMI, Windows-Identity-Foundation

Step 2: Install Exchange Server Subscription Edition

1. Download the Installation Files
   Download the Exchange Server SE installation files from the Microsoft website Click Here.
2. Run the Setup Wizard
   Launch the setup wizard and follow these steps:
   • Accept the license terms.
   • Choose the installation type (e.g., Mailbox Role).
   • Specify the installation location.
3. Run the Setup Command
   Alternatively, you can use the command line to install Exchange Server SE:

.\Setup.exe /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms_DiagnosticDataON /Mode:Install /Role:Mailbox

Step 3: Migrate Mailboxes and Data

1. Create a New Database
   Create a new mailbox database on the Exchange Server SE:

New-MailboxDatabase -Server “NewExchangeSE” -Name “MBX-DB01”

Mount the database:

Mount-Database -Identity “MBX-DB01”

2. Move Mailboxes
   Use the New-MoveRequest cmdlet to migrate mailboxes from the old server to the new Exchange Server SE:

New-MoveRequest -Identity “user@domain.com” -TargetDatabase “MBX-DB01”

To move all mailboxes in bulk:

Get-Mailbox -Server “OldExchangeServer” | New-MoveRequest -TargetDatabase “MBX-DB01”

3. Verify Mailbox Migration
   Check the status of mailbox migrations:

Get-MoveRequest | Get-MoveRequestStatistics

Step 4: Configure Hybrid Deployment (Optional)

If you plan to integrate with Exchange Online, configure a hybrid deployment:

1. Run the Hybrid Configuration Wizard
   Download and run the Hybrid Configuration Wizard from the Exchange Admin Center (EAC).
2. Enable Modern Authentication
   Enable Modern Authentication for enhanced security:

Set-OrganizationConfig -OAuth2ClientProfileEnabled $true

Step 5: Test and Validate

1. Test Mail Flow
   Send test emails to internal and external addresses to verify mail flow.
2. Check Services
   Ensure that all Exchange services are running:

Get-Service *Exchange*

3. Validate Functionality
   Test calendaring, shared mailboxes, and other critical features.

Step 6: Decommission Old Servers

1. Remove Old Databases
   Dismount and remove old mailbox databases:

Dismount-Database -Identity “OldDB”

Remove-MailboxDatabase -Identity “OldDB”

2. Uninstall Exchange
   Uninstall Exchange from the old servers:

.\Setup.exe /Mode:Uninstall

3. Update DNS Records
   Update DNS records to point to the new Exchange Server SE.

Post-Upgrade Best Practices

• Monitor Performance: Use tools like Exchange Server Health Checker to monitor the new environment.
• Enable Security Features: Configure anti-malware, anti-spam, and data loss prevention (DLP) policies.
• Plan for Updates: Regularly apply updates and patches included in your subscription.

Conclusion

Upgrading to Exchange Server Subscription Edition is a strategic move for organizations that need to maintain on-premises email infrastructure while benefiting from modern features and predictable costs. By following this step-by-step guide, you can ensure a smooth and successful upgrade.

Whether you’re moving to Exchange Server SE or considering a hybrid deployment with Exchange Online, careful planning and execution are key to a seamless transition.