Before installing the first Exchange 2013 server during a migration project we must first prepare Active Directory.
These preparation steps can happen automatically during installation of the first server, as long as the correct conditions are in place. For example, if you are running Exchange Server 2013 setup:
- On a 64-bit server in the same Active Directory site as the Schema Master, and as a writeable global catalog for each domain in the forest
- With an account that has Schema Admins, Domain Admins and Enterprise Admins permissions
For a simple environment with one or just a few sites and only one domain in the forest it can be easier to just allow this preparation to run as part of the first server installation. However, more complex environments, or those that need to control their change schedule a bit more closely, running the Active Directory preparation tasks separately may be more suitable.
You can read more about Active Directory preparation on TechNet here.
The Exchange Server Pro organization has four Active Directory sites, and a single domain in the forest. The FSMO roles have been moved to the domain controller in the DataCenter1 site where the first Exchange 2013 servers are being deployed, so that is where the preparation steps will be performed.
Before we start it is recommended to note the current schema version so that you can compare it later when you are verifying the results of Exchange setup. Use Michael B Smith’s PowerShell script here to perform this task.
PS C:\> "Exchange Schema Version = " + ([ADSI]("LDAP://CN=ms-Exch-Schema-Version-Pt," + ([ADSI]"LDAP://RootDSE").schemaNamingContext)).rangeUpper
Exchange Schema Version = 14734
Prepare the Active Directory Schema
The first step is to apply the Exchange Server 2013 schema update to Active Directory. Extract the Exchange Server 2013 setup files to a folder on the server. In this example I am deploying Exchange Server 2013 with Service Pack 1, which is the latest version available right now.
Next, launch a CMD prompt as administrator.
Run setup /PrepareSchema, including the /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms switch as well.
C:\Admin\ex2013sp1>setup /prepareschema /iacceptexchangeserverlicenseterms
Welcome to Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Service Pack 1 Unattended Setup
Copying Files...
File copy complete. Setup will now collect additional information needed for
installation.
Performing Microsoft Exchange Server Prerequisite Check
Prerequisite Analysis COMPLETED
Configuring Microsoft Exchange Server
Extending Active Directory schema COMPLETED
The Exchange Server setup operation completed successfully.
Run the schema version script again to compare the results.
PS C:\> "Exchange Schema Version = " + ([ADSI]("LDAP://CN=ms-Exch-Schema-Version-Pt," + ([ADSI]"LDAP://RootDSE").schemaNamingContext)).rangeUpper
Exchange Schema Version = 15292
Preparing the Forest and Domains
After extending the schema we can proceed with preparing the Active Directory forest and domains.
Again, from an elevated CMD prompt run setup /PrepareAD and use the /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms switch as well. Because we are installing into an existing organization there is no need to use the /OrganizationName switch.
C:\Admin\ex2013sp1>setup /preparead /iacceptexchangeserverlicenseterms
Welcome to Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Service Pack 1 Unattended Setup
Copying Files...
File copy complete. Setup will now collect additional information needed for
installation.
Performing Microsoft Exchange Server Prerequisite Check
Prerequisite Analysis COMPLETED
Setup will prepare the organization for Exchange 2013 by using 'Setup /PrepareA
D'. No Exchange 2007 server roles have been detected in this topology. After thi
s operation, you will not be able to install any Exchange 2007 servers.
For more information, visit: http://technet.microsoft.com/library(EXCHG.150)/ms
.exch.setupreadiness.NoE12ServerWarning.aspx
Configuring Microsoft Exchange Server
Organization Preparation COMPLETED
The Exchange Server setup operation completed successfully.
With only one domain in the forest there are no additional steps to perform here. If you have multiple domains you should refer to the TechNet instructions here.
In the next article in this series we’ll look at installation of the first Exchange 2013 server.
This article Exchange Server 2010 to 2013 Migration – Preparing Active Directory is © 2014 ExchangeServerPro.com
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