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Case Study: Cross-Forest Microsoft AD & Exchange Migration for APAC Customer

Background: An APAC-based customer was using an outdated AD and Exchange environment. They needed to migrate 250 users and workstations to a new subdomain within their AD forest, upgrading to a more modern infrastructure that could support future growth.

Challenges:

  • Legacy Systems: The customer’s infrastructure, including AD and Exchange, was outdated and hindering scalability.
  • Complex Migration: Moving 250 users and workstations to a new forest while ensuring continuity of services.
  • User Data Integrity: Ensuring that no data, including mailboxes and user profiles, would be lost during migration.

Solution:

  1. New Forest Design:
    • Designed a new AD forest, with domain controllers set up to manage the increased load and support modern security protocols.
  2. Migration Planning:
    • Pilot Migration: Migrated a small group of users to test the migration process before scaling up.
    • Data Migration Tools: Used ADMT (Active Directory Migration Tool) and Exchange tools to move users and mailboxes safely.
  3. System Upgrades:
    • Upgraded all workstations to Windows 10 to improve compatibility with modern AD and security features.
    • Implemented BitLocker encryption and advanced authentication protocols for enhanced security.
  4. Testing and Validation:
    • Tested the functionality of AD and Exchange post-migration, ensuring seamless user access and data integrity.

Results:

  • No Downtime: The migration was completed with without service interruption.
  • Upgraded Infrastructure: The customer now has a scalable, secure AD environment.

Conclusion: If you’re handling an AD and Exchange migration on your own, here are some tips:

  1. Test in Phases: Start with a small group of users to identify any potential issues before scaling up.
  2. Use Reliable Tools: Leverage tools like ADMT for secure and efficient migration.
  3. System Upgrades: Consider upgrading workstations and servers to ensure compatibility with newer systems.

Necessary Qualifications and Skills:

  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Messaging — for expertise in AD and Exchange environments.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) — for managing large-scale migration projects.
  • Systems Administration Experience — extensive experience in managing and configuring Windows Server environments.

Hashtags: #ActiveDirectory #ExchangeServer #Migration #ITInfrastructure

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