BES 4.0.x to 4.1.6 Upgrade Plan

[jhortillano]

Hello Everyone, I'm new to the forum and I just wanted to run my upgrade plan with you all. Please make any comments, recommendations that you see fit.

I was told the easiest way to do this was to bring the old server up to latest service pack, upgrade to 4.1.6, then cutover to the new equipment with 4.1.6 already installed.

Environment: Exchange 2003 sp2 on Windows Server 2003 Standard SP1
1x BES 4.0.x on Windows Server 2003 Standard SP1, Database is local MSDE (200-users)
1x Brand New Server Windows Server 2003 Standard SP2, Database will also be local

Phase 1: Old Server - BES 4.0.x to 4.0.7
- Ghost Server
- Stop services
- Apply the latest service pack for that version, Service Pack 7 mr #3
- Start services and cross fingers
- if all goes well, let it run a few days.

Phase 2: Old Server - BES 4.0.7 to 4.1.6
-Ghost Server
-Stop services
-Upgrade to 4.1.6 and mr2 (Will the handhelds need to be reactivated?)
-Start services and cross fingers again
-if all goes well, let it run a few more days

Phase 3: Old to New Server
-Perform Knife-Edge Cutover to new hardware (Will the handhelds need to be reactivated?)

I am performing the first Phase tonight, I will keep you all posted. Thank you all in advance for any ideas and recommendations.

[GaryCutri]

Hi,

All you need to do is upgrade your BES to SP7 and then follow my guide below:


Moving BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Exchange to a New Server
MSDE\SQL 2005 Express Version
By Gary Cutri
Draft Version 1

Before You Begin

1.Ensure you have a copy of the full BES install package that is the same version of your current installation (e.g. besx_4.1.4.exe).

2.Ensure you have allowed Port 3101 TCP Outbound on your firewall from the IP Address of the new BES server.

3.If a new BES service pack is available please download it prior to starting this process.

4.It is preferred that you new BES has Server 2003 w/SP1 or higher installed.

Preparation Stage

Note: You should use your normal Domain Admin account (e.g. Administrator) to perform the following tasks.

1.Install Exchange System Manager on you new server that you plan to install the BES. Ensure you install all the same service packs and updates that are running on your mail server (e.g. SP2 and Microsoft Exchange DST patches). To confirm this stage is complete compare the versions of cdo.dll and mapi32.dll on the mail server to the BES.
Note: If you go to “Control Panel > Add\Remove Programs > Select Show Updates” you can see all the service packs installed on your Exchange Server.

2.On the new server set the permissions for your Blackberry service account (e.g. BESadmin).
-Make BESadmin a local Administrator of the server.
-Go to Admin Tools on open "Local Security Policy" and expand the "Local Policies" and "User Right Assignment". You need to add BESadmin to "Log on Locally" and "log on as Service".

3.Install MSDE on your new BES. If you are not using “MDSE Services” (i.e. RIMs application development environment) you can install SQL 2005 Express (During the 2005 Express install uncheck “Hide Advanced Options” and then choose to install a default instance). Once either version is installed download and install SQL Server Management Studio Express. If you are missing any prerequisite applications they can be found HERE.

4.Copy the BlackBerry Install package to the new BES and extract the files without running the setup.

5.On the new BES go to the command prompt and navigate to the Database directory in the extracted install files. (e.g. Default Extraction Path = c:\Research In Motion\BlackBerry Enterprise Server 4.1.x\Database). From the Database directory run CreateDB.exe BESMgmt.cfg to create a new blank BESMgmt database (This method also ensures the correct SQL schema is in place).

6.On the new BES open SQL Server Management Studio Express and expand the Security folder and right mouse click Logins and select New Login. From the Login – New window select Search and when the next window appears change your Location to Entire Directory and then enter the name of your BlackBerry Service Account (e.g. BESadmin) and then select OK once you have successfully checked the name.

Note: This long method is used to ensure the correct Domain and account name is selected.

7.Once you have successfully selected the Login Name you will be returned to the Login – New window. Now select Server Roles in the left column and choose dbcreator and sysadmin.

Move the Database

1.Log onto your old BES and stop and disable all of the BlackBerry services

2.Go to the command prompt and run the following commands to backup the database.
-osql –E
-backup database BESMgmt to disk = “c:\BESMgmt.bak”
-go
-exit

3.Copy the BESMgmt.bak file to your new Blackberry Server

4.On your new BES open SQL Server Management Studio Express and expand the Database folder. Now right mouse click BESMgmt and select “Tasks > Restore > Database”. From the restore window select From Device and then select File from Backup Media and now add the backup file.

5.Once you have added to path to the BESMgmt.bak restore file select the Restore checkbox in the lower window. Now select Options in the left column and check Overwrite the existing Database. Now select OK to restore the database.

Prepare the Migrated Database

1.Now that the database has been restored from SQL Server Management Studio Express you need to expand the BESMgmt database and select Tables. In the centre window right mouse click ServerConfig and select Open Table. Now edit the columns below and update them to display the new server name.

-ServiceName
-MachineName
-RPCEndPoint (only edit the name after “\pipe\BESMonitor” )

2.Still within the ServerConfig table scroll to the MDSAGConfigId column and ensure it is set to NULL. Now close the ServerConfig table and reselect the Tables fold in the left column and locate the MDSAGConfig table in the centre section. Once again right mouse click and select Open Table and ensure you can only see one row containing all NULL values. If a row containing server settings appears select that entire row and delete it. You can now close the MDSAGConfig table and we can now be assure no old MDS Service settings are migrated and they can be installed fresh on this new server.

3.Now select the Tables folder in the left column again. In the centre window right mouse click MDSConfig and select Open Table. Now edit the columns below and update them to display the new server name.
-MDSHost
-MachineName
-ServerName (only edit the name before “_MDS-CS_X”)

Installing the New BES

1.Log onto the new BlackBerry Server using your BlackBerry Service Account (e.g. BESadmin)

2.Run setup.exe from the install files we extracted earlier and enter your company details and select next

3.Select the BES installation type that you require (Note: BlackBerry Professional users don’t have these options). Please be aware that the first option “BlackBerry Enterprise Server” includes standard MDS to allow internet\intranet browsing via the BES. The second option “BlackBerry Enterprise Server with MDS Services” is only require if you plan on developing your own BlackBerry applications (note: you can’t select this option if you use SQL 2005 Express).

4.Now just step through the installer until you are prompted to restart. Once the server has restarted logon again as your BlackBerry Service Account and the installer will automatically start again after a few minutes (if it doesn’t just run the setup.exe file again to resume). You will now will be prompted for your database location and settings which should be correct by default. Once the settings are correct just select Next and shortly (if the installer is a newer version you will be prompted to upgrade) you should see your BES CAL on the next screen.

5.Now just continue through the remaining screens and changed any setting if required. Once you get to the last screen uncheck the “Start Services” (i.e. DO NOT START THE SERVICES) and finish the install.

6.Now open BlackBerry Manager (a MAPI error may appear) and ensure your server name is correct and all your users appear. Once you confirm the data is valid go to windows services and start the Blackberry Services in the following order:
-BlackBerry Router.
-BlackBerry Dispatcher.
-BlackBerry Controller.
-All remaining BlackBerry services.

7.Open Blackberry Manager and select the Servers tab and then select Exchange and in the properties window below ensure the server is Running and the SRP is Connected

8.Now from the BlackBerry Manager sort your users by Last Contact Time (latest first) and you should see your users being contacted and updated. (Please note delays in communication may occur as it performs mailbox rescans so wait up to 30 minutes for the service to fully resume).

9.Once you confirm your BES is functioning correctly wait 24 hours and install the latest services packs. Once again ensure you logon as the BlackBerry Service Account when installing any updates.

Note: Ensure all other technicians are aware that the BES has been moved and they MUST NOT start the BlackBerry Services on the old BES

Cleanup Stage

1.Once your new BES has been functioning for correctly for a few days please uninstall your old BES.

2.The extracted setup files can be removed if required

[GaryCutri]

Also since you have 200 users you really need to look at moving your BES database to full SQL.

[jhortillano]

I just finished doing the 4.0.7 to 4.1.6 on the same server. All went as smooth as silk. I will use your instructions to cut over to the new server next week. Thanks for all your help and advise Gary!

[raptor2148]

Hi,

My BES is version 4.0.4.6
you have mentioned that it must be at 4.0.7 in order to follow your instruction.
Can you tell me how to go from 4.0.4.6 to 4.07? does it need to be reactivated after this upgrade?

thanks.

[raptor2148]

jhortillano,

Can you tell me steps for "Phase 1: Old Server - BES 4.0.x to 4.0.7" please.
thanks

[GaryCutri]

Hi,

My BES is version 4.0.4.6
you have mentioned that it must be at 4.0.7 in order to follow your instruction.
Can you tell me how to go from 4.0.4.6 to 4.07? does it need to be reactivated after this upgrade?

thanks.

jhortillano,

Can you tell me steps for "Phase 1: Old Server - BES 4.0.x to 4.0.7" please.
thanks

Click on the link below and download the SP7 installer. Just log onto the BES using the BlackBerry Service Account (e.g. BESadmin) and run the installer. This update will require a reboot but everything will resume as per normal after the restart (i.e user DO NOT need to be reactivated)

Version 4.0 Service Pack 7 - Exchange

[raptor2148]

Awesome, you are the man. I will upgrade it to 4.0.7. As you have said, I will let it run for a week then I will cutover to another server with 4.1.6

thanks so much.

[raptor2148]

do I need to stop all BB services when I apply this sp 4.07?

[GaryCutri]

do I need to stop all BB services when I apply this sp 4.07?

They will be automatically stopped by the installer.