Before you begin the transition to Exchange Server 2007 you must first verify that your existing network environment is ready for Exchange Server 2007 and download the essentials software and tools for an Exchange Server 2007 transition.

Download the Exchange Server 2007 software and tools

Download the following software so that you have everything you need on hand for the installation.

For production Exchange servers only the 64-bit versions are required, however the 32-bit versions will be useful if you are deploying the Exchange Management Tools to administrative workstations or other hosts such as backup servers.

• .NET 1.1 (x86 only – required for the ExBPA)
• .NET 2.0 with Service Pack 1 (x86 and x64)
• MMC 3.0 (x86 and x64)
• PowerShell (x86 and x64)
• Exchange Server 2007 with Service Pack 1 (both versions)
• The latest update rollup for Exchange Server 2007 (both versions)
• Exchange Best Practices Analyzer (version 2.8 or later)

Verify your existing network environment

Use this checklist to confirm that your network environment meets the pre-requisites for Exchange Server 2007.

Active Directory Functional Level

Both minimum functional levels must be met:

• Domain functional level Windows 2000 Server Native Mode
• Forest functional level Windows 2000 Server Native mode

Domain Controllers

There must be at least one Domain Controller and Global Catalog server in the same AD Site as the Exchange Server running Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, and the Schema Master for the Forest must be at least Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1.

Incompatible features of Exchange Server 2000

These features must be removed:

• Microsoft Mobile Information Server
• Instant Messaging Service
• Exchange Chat Service
• Exchange 2000 Conferencing Server
• Key Management Service
• Cc:Mail Connector
• MSMail Connector

Incompatible features of Exchange Server 2003

These features must be removed:

• Novell Groupwise Connector
• Network News Transport Protocol (NNTP)

Exchange Organization Mode

The Exchange Organization must be Native Mode.  See Preparing a Mixed Mode Organization for Conversion to Native Mode.

Exchange legacy servers

Any existing legacy Exchange servers must be at least:

• Exchange Server 2000 with Service Pack 3, or
• Exchange Server 2003 with Service Pack 2

Link State Routing

Link State Routing must be disabled.  See How to Suppress Link State Updates.

Exchange Server 2007 Readiness Check

The Exchange Server 2007 Readiness Check test performed by the Exchange Best Practices Analyzer must pass.