BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution

[chills]

We need to upgrade from win 2K to Win 2K3 VMWare.  It is currently running 4.0.4.5.  Support said to install the latest version on our new Win2K3 server, but not starting the service.

Ensure we name the BES server the same as the previous.

Stop the BES on the old W2K service

Migrate the users (copy DB) to the new server

Start the new w2K3 BES Service.

and it would be that easy.

From reading through the forms here, and talking with a colleague. I am fearful that it is more difficult than that.  We have ~150 users.  Can you give me any insight? 

Should we upgrade to the latest code?

[knottyrope]

IIRC 4.0 is not supported by RIM. Spending the $$$ to get 4.1 is worth it since it is supported.

Follow the knife edge upgrade.

[chills]

Thanks.  We have spent the $ for the upgrade and are now needing to do it.  What is the knofe edge upgrade?

[knottyrope · Accepted solution]

http://www.blackberry.com/knowledgecenterpublic/livelink.exe/fetch/2000/8067/645045/7963/7965/118040...

Follow this way to do it in the manual page five.

Upgrading the BlackBerry Enterprise Server by using a new computer

[knottyrope]

Forum guys call it knife edge, RIM calls it cut over.

Most do it that way from what I see in posts.

[AndyDufresne]

either knife edge or phased migration work ... depends on your environment and how many HHs you have and what window you have for migration

[chills]

we have around 150 HHs and can only spare minimal amounts of downtime.

[AndyDufresne]

Then perform a knife edge.

Be sure to take proper backups and verify them before performing any upgrade / migration.

[knottyrope]

Funny how RIM does not even mention verify.

I wonder how many never verified their backups.

[AndyDufresne]

I've NEVER met a customer that I was working with on upgrading that did the verification.  I make them though ... cuz if it don't work, I have to fix it anyway.