How to Migrate SBS 2011 to Server 2019 (Exchange 2019)?

Summary: Small Business Server 2011 (Exchange 2010) has already reached its end of life on January 14, 2020. This means no more security patches and updates, which will leave the SBS 2011 (Exchange 2010) server vulnerable to security breaches. Thus, if you haven't upgraded your server, now is the time to do it. In this guide, we have discussed the steps to migrate the SBS 2011 to Server 2019, i.e., Exchange Server 2019, to help you move data and mailboxes from Small Business Server 2011 to Exchange 2019 server.

SBS 2011 includes MS Exchange 2010 Service Pack 1 (SP1). The problem is that you can’t migrate the SBS 2011 with Exchange 2010 to Exchange 2019 server directly as Exchange 2010 and 2019 can’t exist in the same forest. Thus, to migrate SBS 2011 to Server 2019, you can follow any of these two methods:

Native Migration

First, migrate the SBS 2011 to server 2016 or 2013 and then migrate server 2016/2013 to server 2019. This is quite a long process as it requires you to set up two different servers, i.e., Exchange 2016 or 2013 and Exchange 2019, then migrate SBS 2011 to server 2013/2016, followed by server 2013/2016 to server 2019 migration.

Direct Migration

Create a new Exchange environment in a new Active Directory forest with a new domain. Next, use an Exchange mailbox migration tool, such as Stellar Converter for EDB to migrate mailboxes from Exchange 2010 on SBS 2011 server to the Exchange 2019 server directly.

This is the safest approach to migrate SBS 2011 to server 2019 in one hop, which will not only save significant time and resources but also avoid any unnecessary downtimes. The software provides the option to scan the Exchange database (EDB) file(s) that contains all user mailboxes and lets you export these mailboxes directly to a Live Exchange 2019 server in a few clicks. 

In this guide, we will discuss the second method to migrate SBS 2011 to server 2019.

Steps to Migrate SBS 2011 to Server 2019 Directly

To migrate SBS 2011 to Server 2019, you need to set up a clean Exchange 2019 environment with a new Active Directory forest. The steps are as follows,

Step 1: Install and Promote Exchange 2019 Server as Domain Controller

Follow this Microsoft guide to install and prepare a new Exchange 2019 server. You need to ensure the following while installing and setting up the new server,

Step 2: Make DC a Global Catalog Server (Should be done by default when promoting to DC)

Step 3: Configure DNS Server

Step 4: Install DHCP on a New Server 

FROM OLD SERVER:

Step 5: Transfer FSMO Roles

You might get a message: Active directory schema snap-in is not connected to the schema operations master. You will not be able to perform any changes. Schema modifications can only be made on the schema FSMO holder.

ON NEW SERVER:

Step 6: Decommission the OLD Server

Important Note: While running DCPROMO on the Old server, you may get an error that no other domain controllers could be detected, and the entire domain would be deleted. In such a case, modify the following registry key: 

After this, run DC Promo on the old server. It should detect the new PDC. If so, demote the old server.

Step 7: Migrate Mailboxes from SBS 2011 Exchange 2010 to Server 2019

Now that you have installed and set up a new Exchange 2019 server, all you need to do is migrate the mailboxes from SBS 2011 to Exchange Server 2019 by using Stellar Converter for EDB software. The steps are as follows,

  1. Install and launch Stellar Converter for EDB software and select the Offline EDB option

Stellar Converter for EDB is one of the most convenient and efficient tools to migrate mailboxes from SBS 2011 to server 2019. It saves time, resources, and migrates mailboxes from Exchange 2010 on SBS 2011 to Exchange 2019 directly in a few clicks, with 100% precision and accuracy. Download the free demo version now and try it yourself.

The software also migrates public folders from SBS 2011 to server 2019. However, if you don’t use public folders, then there is no need to migrate them. Simply remove the public folder database before decommissioning the old SBS 2011 server.

In case of any issue or help during SBS 2011 to server 2019 migration, leave a comment.

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