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 Windows computer by following the on-screen instructions.
     • Launch the application and click ‘Login’ or ‘Start Your Free Trial’.

         See a detailed list of EdbMails system requirements, for OST recovery, conversion and migration.

       

     • Select the migration option as ‘OST to PST, OST to Office 365 and OST to Exchange’.

       

   • Step 2: Select the offline OST files

     • Browse and select the OST file from your computer that you want to import to the live Exchange server.

       

   • Step 3: Select the mailboxes

     • EdbMails scans your OST file and recovers data in case of corruption. Once recovery is complete, it allows you to expand the mailbox, folders, and subfolders for easy navigation. The built-in preview pane lets you view emails, contacts, folders, notes, tasks, and calendars directly from the application. It also allows you to open an OST file without Outlook.
     • Select the required mailboxes/folders and click the ‘Migrate to Live Exchange’ button to continue.

       

   • Step 4: Connect to the target Exchange server

     • Choose the required connection options that suit your requirements.

         See different methods to connect to the Exchange server in EdbMails.

       

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

       

     • Once you've successfully logged in, select one of the options for loading the target Exchange server mailboxes.

       

     • EdbMails automatically loads your source server mailboxes, you can also manually load mailboxes using a .csv file.

   • Step 5: Map mailboxes from OST to Exchange server

     • Select the required mailbox mapping option

       

     • EdbMails automatically creates mailboxes on the target Exchange server and maps mailboxes and folders from the source OST file to the target Exchange server.

       

     • Click the ‘Folder and Item Filter’ button to customize the migration operation. For instance, you can choose to migrate data only within a specific date range by applying a date filter. Additionally, you can exclude both standard and custom folders from the migration.

       

   • Step 6: Start OST to Exchange migration

     • Once the mailboxes are mapped, enter a job name and start the migration. To view the migration report, 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.