Forum Discussion

Keith Caines's avatar
Keith Caines
Copper Contributor
Jan 09, 2018

Remove On Premises exchange Hybrid and go fully Online

Hello,   I currently have a scenario where there is a Hybrid Exchange environment with 1 server. All my mailboxes have been migrated online.   I would like to completely remove dependency on ...
exchange
hybrid
On-Premises
adam deltinger's avatar
adam deltinger
MVP
Jan 07, 2019
Basically, it’s for easier attribute creation and management and keep it a supported configuration according to Microsoft
BrianSmith's avatar
BrianSmith
Copper Contributor
Jan 07, 2019

We don't edit any of the attributes. And all management is done in the cloud. All I need AADSync for password sync so I don't have to manage another password system.

 

I'm trying to grasp why in my environment I still need Exchange outside of Microsoft saying I do. If AADSync handles the password sync to Azure AD, no attributes are modified, and all management is done in the cloud, I see no further use for the on-prem Exchange.

  • krish70's avatar
    krish70
    Copper Contributor
    Dec 30, 2024

    Hello Brian,

    I have the same scenario all mailboxes are on office 365 , SMTP relay migrated as well. I am trying to decommission Exchange on-prem in a hybrid mode. 

    Question I have is 

    1. Can I Just run Powershell on Exchange server to  Remove-HybridConfiguration? by doing that will it create any issue to AD objects such as user and groups?
    2. After running the Remove-HybridConfiguration will my AD sync installed on a Domain controller work? or they  have any connection with the Hybrid setup and mess thigs up?

    Thanks

    Krish

     

  • adam deltinger's avatar
    adam deltinger
    MVP
    Jan 07, 2019
    You still add mail addresses through either AD or exchange if users are synchronized! You can manage this without exchange via attribute editor or adsi edit if the attributes are there since a prior exchange installation though!
    AFAIK MS still requires an exchange server in this scenario for it to be supported! I belive MS gives a free license for this as well, as long there’s no mailboxes on premises
    • BrianSmith's avatar
      BrianSmith
      Copper Contributor
      Jan 07, 2019

      After creating an AD user, we wait until the account has synced to the cloud, then add the email address in the cloud. We don't add the email address using ADU&C or on-prem Exchange ECP. In fact, we don't even use the on-prem Exchange ECP anymore. This is where the difficulty in grasping the concept if keeping the on-prem Exchange is coming in. AS previously mentioned, ALL email management is now done in the cloud, nothing is done on-prem.

      • Spiros Karampinis's avatar
        Spiros Karampinis
        Brass Contributor
        Jan 07, 2019
        BrianSmith as ae mentioned before the Exchange on-premises is required to be on supported from Microsoft track. However you can still uninstall the last Exchange Server and manage your users on the cloud and keep the AAD sync active, please update to AAD Connect if you still use AAD Sync. The reason of keeping one Exchange on-premises is to keep the same AD attribute update/changes that are happening after Microsoft update/upgrade the Exchange Servers in O365. If you miss th Exchange on-premises you will miss any changes that will come in the future and that may lead to problems. Is your environment, so your call. :-)