More and more organizations nowadays are moving from on-premises Exchange Server to Office 365 (Microsoft 365). There are various factors that compel them to migrate to Office 365, such as easy manageability, cloud-based environment, reduce capital costs, and others. However, one of the tedious and challenging tasks is to migrate or import mailboxes and other data from Exchange database (EDB) into Office 365. There are several methods to import EDB data into Office 365. However, the most popular and efficient method is Hybrid Migration. In this post, we’ll be discussing the step-by-step process to import EDB data into Office 365 using Hybrid Migration method. 

Process to Import EDB data into Office 365 using Hybrid Migration Method

Hybrid migration is one of the most efficient methods to migrate mailboxes from on-premises Exchange Server to Office 365. It can migrate over 2,000 mailboxes seamlessly and there is no need to create any new user mailboxes and import information. Follow the below steps to initiate the migration process:

Note: Before proceeding, ensure that the proper permissions for the migration are assigned and hybrid deployment is configured between Exchange Server and Office 365 (Exchange Online). 

Step 1 – Creation of Migration Endpoint

You need to first create the migration endpoint that contains the connection settings for Exchange Server, running the Mailbox Replication Proxy Service (MRSProxy). Follow the below steps to create migration endpoints:

• Open the Exchange Admin Center in Microsoft 365.
• Go to Migration in the right corner of the interface.

• Click Add button in the newly opened window. 

• Select the migration endpoint according to the Hybrid Migration. Choose the Exchange Remote option.

• Click Next. A new window will open where you need to enter the credentials of the Exchange Server account. Provide the details, like email address, account with administrative privileges, and password.
• Click Create. It will create the Exchange migration endpoint.

• Once the information of the Exchange Server is entered, the migration connection setting will be selected automatically based on the migration endpoints created in the organization.
• Click Done.
• Enter the migration endpoint name and leave the Exchange Server and RPC Proxy server rows empty.
• Enter New to create migration endpoints.

• Check the migration endpoint connection by running the below command in PowerShell. 

Test-MigrationServerAvailability -Endpoint endpoint.xyz.com

Step 2 – Enable Proxy Service

The MRSProxy is enabled by default on the Exchange Server. If it is not enabled, you need to enable it. Follow the below steps:

• Open Exchange Admin Center.

• Go to the Servers.
• Select EWS Virtual Directory from the dropdown menu.
• Click Edit.

• On EWS (Default Web Site) window, click General and then click the Enable MRS Proxy checkbox.

• Click Save and then click OK.

Step 3 – Migrate Mailboxes to Office 365 (Exchange Online)

Now, you can move the mailboxes from Exchange Server to Office 365 using the Exchange Admin Center (EAC). The remote migration wizard in EAC allows to move the EDB mailboxes from Exchange Server to Office 365. Follow the below steps:

• Open Exchange Admin Center and navigate to Office 365.
• Click Recipients > Migration.

• Click Add and choose Migrate to Exchange Online.

• In the newly opened window, select Migration Type. Choose the Remote Move Migration option and then click Next.

• In the newly opened window, click Add and select On-Premises User. Click Add > OK > Next.

• In the Enter the Windows User Account Credential, provide the on-premises admin account credentials. Click Next.

• • In the new window, verify if the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the Exchange Server is listed.
  • A new window will open. Enter the name of the migration batch in the field – New migration batch name.
  • Select the Target delivery domain for mailboxes you want to move to Office 365.
  • Check if the option “Move primary mailbox and the archive mailbox if one exists” is selected.
  • Click Start the Batch option and select one recipient. Also, ensure that the option “Automatically Start the Batch” option is selected.

• Click the checkbox “Automatically complete the migration batch” and click New.

Step 4 – Remove Batches

Now that you have moved the mailboxes from the Exchange Server to Office 365, it is time to remove the batches. Follow the below steps:

• Open Exchange Admin Center and navigate to Office 365. 
• Click recipients > migration.
• Click Completed Migration Batch and then click Delete.
• Click Yes to confirm the action.

Step 5 – Re-enable the Outlook Web Application for Offline Access

Now, you need to reset the offline access settings to use Outlook on the Web in offline mode. It allows you to easily access the mailboxes when the internet connection is unavailable.

Limitations of Hybrid Migration Method

The Hybrid Migration method is efficient but has various drawbacks, which include:

• This method can be used with Exchange Server 2010 and later versions. It does not work with Exchange Server 2007 and earlier versions.
• The complete migration method is time-consuming and requires expert technical knowledge.

An Alternative Solution to Import EDB into Office 365

If you are looking for an easy and quick solution to migrate from Exchange Server to Office 365, you can use a third-party tool, like Stellar Converter for EDB. This tool can help you to directly import the EDB data into Office 365. Unlike the Hybrid Migration method, the tool does not take much time and effort to import EDB into Office 365 account. Some key features of Stellar Converter for EDB include:

• Exports data from single as well as multiple EDB files.
• Converts EDB files into different formats, like PST, EML, MBOX, MSG, and PDF.
• Provides a preview of the mailbox items before conversion.

Conclusion

Migrating data from on-premises Exchange Server (EDB) to Office 365 using Hybrid Migration method can be a tedious process. If you are looking for a solution to import EDB into Office 365 seamlessly and quickly, you can use Stellar Converter for EDB. It can directly export user mailboxes and other data from Exchange database to Office 365 in just a few steps.

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