Hello to every member of the TechNet community!
I have here a little question to which some of you may be able to answer. I have this project to migrate our actual server (SBS 2003 including Exchange 2003) to a brand new machine with Windows Server Essentials 2012 R2. I've read quite a few tutorials but still, I have a doubt in mind: each time that someone talks about the mailing options in Server 2012, they offer two choices: either you migrate to Office 365 or you can have another server on-prem to run your Exchange.
My question is: is it possible to install and run Exchange 2013 on Server 2012 R2 Essentials and reunite my every needs into only 1 physical server? I've read tutorials in which they explain that it might be possible if you install additionnal roles and every prerequisite, but I would like some expert advices on the subject. Both 365 and on-prem 2nd server are not options I could deal with, so I hope that it's remotely possible.
Awaiting your answers with great hope!
Thanks a lot for the time you'll put into this and best regards,
Alex
P.S: I mean to use the Code2 software to ease the mailboxes migration from Exchange 2003 to 2013. Does anyone have experimented this piece of software? I would rather use that than do the double "hop" from 2003->2010->2013. Would it be a good alternative solution? Thanks again!