Exchange Server Supportability Matrix

We have just upgraded all of our DCs to 2008 R2, but are still at the 2003 Forest Functional Level. Our Exchange 2007 is at SP1, Rollup 9. Included in the current matrix is Exchange 2007 SP2 and Exchange 2003 SP2. Exchange 2007 SP1 is not mentioned at all. Are we safe to raise the FFL to 2008 R2, or do we first need to apply SP3 to Exchange 2007? I've only found a blog that says it's safe, but unless it's a well-known blog, that's not a sufficiently reliable answer.

Thanks.

I would like clarity here, too.
We are using Exchange 2003SP2 in a domain at functional level 2003, with 2008R2 domain controllers.

However the chart in http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff728623(EXCHG.141).aspx seems to imply that our domain can be upgraded to a higher functional level. This would assist us in managing our Vista/Win7 workstations.

Needless to say, it's a big step and I would appreciate some clarity!

I checked TechNet article "Exchange Server Supportability Matrix" http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff728623(EXCHG.141).aspx and found the 'X' against "Windows Server 2008 R2 Forest Functional Level" for E2K3 SP2.

However, there are following articles contradicting... Please provide clarity on this

http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2009/09/09/452361.aspx
"Exchange Server 2003 is not supported in Active Directory environments whose domain/forest functional levels have been raised beyond Windows Server 2003. However, Exchange Server 2003 SP2 is supported against Windows Server 2008 Active Directory servers."

http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2007/08/16/446709.aspx
"Known Issues with Exchange Server and Windows Server 2008:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/exchangesvrdeploy/thread/b8abbd6f-c415-4eaa-b84f-bf67943885ad
"Exchange 2003 isn't supported (although does appear to work) at Windows 2008 R2 Forest Functional level."

* Setting an Exchange 2003 domain Recipient Update Service to use a RODC will succeed, but user accounts will not be updated by the service. It is also possible to force the Active Directory Connector

(ADC) service to use an RODC, but this will cause the ADC to function incorrectly.
* Exchange 2003 may not install correctly in a pure Windows Server 2008 forest if you try to install Exchange in a child domain without installing Exchange in the parent domain. "

Is Exchange 2003 SP2 supported in an Environment with only Windows 2008 R2 DCs and the AD functional Level (FFL & DFL) of W2K8R2?

Incase the answer is Yes; is there any additional patches to be installed on Exchange 2003 SP2 servers?


Incase the answer is NO which I believe is the case; Can this Matrix be published correctly. At present there is no matrix itself :-)

<http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2009/11/30/453327.aspx> speaks of new supported scenarios for Exchange 2003 SP2. Will this be reflected in the above tables?

The information about "The Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 SP1" is missing in the table regarding the support of Exchange Versions

Under Operating System Environment:
For "Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Servers" and "Windows Server 2008 SP2 Active Directory Servers", I suggest that the X for Exchange 2003 SP2 to have a * by it. In the comment I would like it to say "only in Windows 2003 native mode domains (see next table)." This is confusing some people, as they are not looking at the next table and correlating the two.

In the "Active Directory Environment" table, the title should be changed to "Domain/Forest Function Level". "Active Directory Environment" is a little ambigious and has some room for misunderstanding.

In the "Active Directory Environment " table and the "Exchange 2007 RTM " column, notice these two rows:
Windows Server 2008 Domain Functional Level
X
X
Missing

Windows Server 2008 Forest Functional Level
X
X
X, One of these two boxes is wrong.

Because a Forest Functaional Level mandates that all domains are at that minimal same level, a Domain Functional level is set and assumed. I expect that you are simply missing the DFL X.