[Z Tuned]

Hi All,

I am currently running BES 4.0 in this office. I need to setup a new clean installation of BES 4.1.6 on newer hardware. I will NOT be performing an in place upgrade from 4.0 to 4.1.6.

My question is this: How can I have both systems up and running at the same time so that I can migrate my existing users over from the old BES onto the new BES? I do not want to have to buy another BES license. This will all be done in a matter of days, so I do not need to purchase another license.

This is all for BES Enterprise on Exchange 2003.

Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

-Tony

[penguin3107]

Knife-Edge Cutover, FTW.

KB10278 - How to perform a knife-edge cutover for BES 4.0 and 4.1 (Exchange) - Port3101.org : Your BES Connection

[Z Tuned]

Originally Posted by penguin3107

Knife-Edge Cutover, FTW.

KB10278 - How to perform a knife-edge cutover for BES 4.0 and 4.1 (Exchange) - Port3101.org : Your BES Connection

Thank you for your prompt reply. I noticed one of the steps in that article stated that I must install the same version of BES on the new machine that is currently installed on the old machine.

I am going from 4.0 to 4.1, will this still work?

Thanks.

[CO_BBTechie]

Ideally you will have fewer headaches if you install the same version on the new hardware, and then perform the upgrade after you've moved all your users over. I chose not to do it that way, and had a few regrets.

[knottyrope]

yes it can work, but most prefer to upgrade to 4.1.6 then knife edge a day or two later.

If knot done this way you could have lots of fun trying to figure out what went wrong.

[Z Tuned]

Let's suppose I do not need to backup/restore my database onto the new hardware. What if I wanted to manually add each user onto the new box? I just need the two BES machines to co-exist for a short time. I'd rather not upgrade or anything at risk of something going wrong. I want to build a new clean box because the old one was having some troubles, BES installation included.

I hope that paragraph was clear...lol

Thanks.

[penguin3107]

Originally Posted by Z Tuned

Let's suppose I do not need to backup/restore my database onto the new hardware. What if I wanted to manually add each user onto the new box? I just need the two BES machines to co-exist for a short time. I'd rather not upgrade or anything at risk of something going wrong. I want to build a new clean box because the old one was having some troubles, BES installation included.

I hope that paragraph was clear...lol

Thanks.

If you want reactivate every one of your user's handhelds, and wipe out their settings and wireless backup... then that's your call.
Call up RIM and get a Migration Kit which will give you a temporary SRP and auth key to set up your new BES.

I have a feeling your users might want to have a say in this, and you should probably let them know your plan before you go down this road.

[CO_BBTechie]

Originally Posted by penguin3107

Call up RIM and get a Migration Kit which will give you a temporary SRP and auth key to set up your new BES.

and FYI - this is not free... I believe I paid $500 for the privilege of two SRP keys for 60 days. At the end of the term, your current key expires and you are on the new key permanently.

[penguin3107]

Originally Posted by CO_BBTechie

and FYI - this is not free... I believe I paid $500 for the privilege of two SRP keys for 60 days. At the end of the term, your current key expires and you are on the new key permanently.

Correct... migration kit is usually not free. I should have mentioned that.

[Z Tuned]

Originally Posted by penguin3107

If you want reactivate every one of your user's handhelds, and wipe out their settings and wireless backup... then that's your call.
Call up RIM and get a Migration Kit which will give you a temporary SRP and auth key to set up your new BES.

I have a feeling your users might want to have a say in this, and you should probably let them know your plan before you go down this road.

I really would rather not perform an upgrade as the number of variables is too great. It is a general consensus within my IT team that we are better off starting from scratch. We have about ~30 users on this box and if we have 30 or 60 days to reactivate them all, then that should be fine.

Originally Posted by CO_BBTechie

and FYI - this is not free... I believe I paid $500 for the privilege of two SRP keys for 60 days. At the end of the term, your current key expires and you are on the new key permanently.

Thanks. The cost isn't an issue. Would you happen to have the phone number for the appropriate dept at RIM that I need to contact to obtain the Migration Kit?

Thanks again for all of the responses.

[CO_BBTechie]

Originally Posted by Z Tuned

Would you happen to have the phone number for the appropriate dept at RIM that I need to contact to obtain the Migration Kit?

BlackBerry Sales Office
Email:
Phone: 800.327.9085

Tell 'em BBF sent ya!

And we actually paid $799, and it provides you 90 days, not 60.

[CO_BBTechie]

Actually you can grab this PDF, fill it out, print it, and fax it to them. This is what they'll send you anyway.

[knottyrope]

I would wait for BES 5.0 and you can move them seemlessly.

[big_poppa]

EWhen is BES 5 available? Is that known yet?

[knottyrope]

I heard it through the grapvine....

MAY

[Z Tuned]

Originally Posted by CO_BBTechie

BlackBerry Sales Office
Email:
Phone: 800.327.9085

Tell 'em BBF sent ya!

And we actually paid $799, and it provides you 90 days, not 60.

Thank you very much!

Originally Posted by knottyrope

I would wait for BES 5.0 and you can move them seemlessly.

I proposed this, but everyone else here really does not want to venture into BES 5.0 as soon as it launches, due to any instability or flaws that might be present.

[knottyrope]

It has been tested for over a year now.

[Z Tuned]

Well, I just got off the phone with RIM. Turns out I can't order the Migration kit unless I have a Technical Support Services subscription.

Blargh.

[knottyrope]

well just wait a few weeks and get BES 5.0

[Z Tuned]

Originally Posted by knottyrope

well just wait a few weeks and get BES 5.0

At this point it's really not up to me. My boss wants to go ahead with 4.1.6. He really does not want us to deploy 5.0 as soon as it is released.

I will have to go ahead with 4.1.6. I will try to deploy 5.0 in a VM alongside my new 4.1.6 server later this year. I am eager to try 5.0, but others on my team are not so eager.