OST to Exchange migration

OST to Exchange migration involves transferring data from Offline Storage Tables (OST files) to an Exchange server, particularly when OST files become corrupt, damaged, or inaccessible. This migration is crucial for organizations dealing with Exchange profile corruption, server reconfiguration, or the need to restore mailbox data after OST file disconnection. The migration ensures uninterrupted access to critical data, such as emails, calendar items, and contacts. Migrating to an Exchange server offers advantages like robust data synchronization, centralized management, and enhanced security, making it ideal for enterprise environments. However, the process is challenging, as OST files, especially corrupted ones, cannot be directly imported into Exchange. Recovery efforts are necessary to maintain data integrity, and accurate mailbox mapping with minimized downtime is essential to avoid operational disruptions.

EdbMails OST to Exchange converter simplifies this migration by supporting the recovery and conversion of password-protected, corrupt, damaged, and encrypted OST files. It allows users to recover and transfer all mail items, including emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, and journals, directly to the Exchange server. EdbMails streamlines the process with script-free migration, ensuring seamless functionality without complex configurations. The tool preserves metadata integrity, maintaining email headers, timestamps, and folder hierarchy during OST to Exchange migration. Automated mailbox mapping intelligently matches source mailboxes with their Exchange destinations, reducing manual effort. Additionally, EdbMails offers a free trial, allowing users to transfer up to 30 mail items at no cost, providing a risk-free opportunity to assess its effectiveness before committing.

1. Prerequisites to import OST to Exchange server

   • Create mailboxes on the Exchange server

     Before migration, it's important to ensure that mailboxes are created on the target server. You can choose the option to allow EdbMails to automatically create mailboxes on the target server. However, if you prefer to create mailboxes manually, please refer to the link below.

       See how to create mailboxes in Exchange server

     If you want to migrate to the Exchange Public folder, refer to below link to create public folder on Exchange server and assign the required permissions to the admin user.

      Steps to create Public folder in Exchange server and assign permission to the admin user

   • Configure the throttling and message-size limits

     For a successful OST to Exchange migration, it is important to address throttling policies. Migration activities, being resource-intensive and Microsoft may impose throttling to maintain server performance and stability. Configuring throttling settings ensures smooth and uninterrupted data transfer during the migration process.

       Steps to set up custom EWS throttling policies on Exchange server

     To successfully migrate larger emails and attachments without encountering delivery errors, timeouts, or performance issues, set the message size limit to the maximum value (150MB).

       Steps to set up change message size limits on Exchange server

2. Steps to import OST to Exchange server using EdbMails

   • Step 1: Download and install EdbMails software

     • Download and install the EdbMails application on your computer.

       

     • See the detailed list of EdbMails system requirements for OST file conversion.
     • Launch the EdbMails application.
     • Enter the email address & password and click ‘Login’ or ‘Start Your Free Trial’.

       

     • Select ‘OST Recovery and Migration’

       

     • Select ‘OST to Live Exchange’.

       

     • To begin a fresh export/migration, select ‘Start a new migration operation.’ If you want to continue the previous export/migration, select ‘Choose a migration from previous operations’.

       

     • Enter the job name for the export operation for future identification and click ‘Continue’ to proceed.

       

   • Step 2: Select the offline OST files

     • Click ‘Browse for OST file'.

       

     • Select the offline OST file from your computer drive, then click the ‘Next’ button to continue. You can also share the OST file on a network with read and write permissions enabled.

       

   • Step 3: Preview and select the mailbox

     • EdbMails scans your OST file and recovers data in case of corruption.

       

       Once the recovery operation is complete, the entire folder structure will be displayed in the left pane. You can expand the mailbox and folders to preview the items. The preview pane allows you to view emails, contacts, folders, notes, tasks, and calendars directly within the application. It also enables you to open an OST file without Outlook. It also allows you to open an OST file without Outlook.

     • Select the required mailboxes/folders and click the ‘Next’ button.

       

       EdbMails allows you to apply the filters to customize your export process. For instance, you can apply date filters to export the items within a certain date range.

         Date filter settings for OST to Exchange conversion

   • Step 4: Connect to the target Exchange server

     • Click the ‘Add New’ button to establish a new connection to the target Exchange server. To use a previous connection, select it from the connection list and click the ‘Connect’ button to proceed.

       

     • Select the required connection options and click the ‘Next’ button.

         Different options to connect to Exchange server in EdbMails

       

     • Enter the target Exchange server details and click the ‘Login’ button

       

     • Select one of the methods to load the mailboxes. You can also load mailboxes using CSV files.

       

   • Step 5: Map source and target mailboxes

     • Choose the required mailbox mapping option

       

     • If you have installed EdbMails on your Exchange server, you can choose to automatically create mailboxes on the target Exchange server.

         Click here to know more about automatic mailbox creation

     • EdbMails automatically maps the mailboxes and folders between the source and target servers. You can also manually map source mailboxes to the target mailboxes

       

   • Step 6: Start OST to live Exchange migration

     • Once the mapping is complete, click the ‘Start Migration’ button.

       

     • During migration, you can track progress in real-time. Once completed, a confirmation message will appear.

       

     • Click the ‘View Log’ button, which provides a detailed status of the migration process, including the number of emails, folders, and mailbox items successfully migrated.

3. OST to Exchange post-migration tasks

   • Step 1: Update the MX records to point to the target Exchange server

     To receive messages on the target Exchange server, update the MX records in the DNS to enable email functionality with the new server you have migrated to. In addition, configure the Autodiscover record to allow Outlook to connect to the migrated mailboxes.

   • Step 2: Create a new Outlook profile for users in the new domain

     Configure the Outlook profile for each user in your domain if Outlook encounters issues connecting to the new Exchange server.

4. OST to Exchange migration troubleshooting

   For troubleshooting, visit Knowledge Base. For more queries, check Frequently Asked Questions or contact support.