Migrate Discovery Search Mailbox from Exchange 2010 to Exchange 2013?

Question

_{Thursday, February 20, 2014 8:14 PM}

We are close to finishing a migration from Exchange 2010 to 2013. All mailboxes, public folders and arbitration mailboxes have been moved and everything is running smooth and In-Place eDiscovery searches work fine. I’ve gathered some conflicting information regarding the Discovery Search Mailbox that still resides on the 2010 server (see screenshot below) so I’m hoping someone can provide some insight on what to do with it. In order to remove the 2010 database I will have to either move the Discovery Search Mailbox or remove it.

Numerous articles tell me to move it to the 2013 server using the New-MoveRequest DiscoverySearchMailbox* -TargetDatabase "DB2013"command. Another article tells me to leave it on the 2010 server and delete it from there since it’s a system mailbox for 2010.

The most confusing part is seeing that Exchange 2013’s Discovery Search Mailbox is named SystemMailbox{e0dc1c29-89c3-4034-b678-e6c29d823ed9} (as shown here- http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg588318%28v=exchg.150%29.aspx). This mailbox is listed and visible as an arbitration mailbox on our 2013 server right now when I run the Get-Mailbox arbitration command:

I understand that I won’t be able to remove the 2010 database with that mailbox still sitting there, but why should I migrate it, as a lot of sources are telling me to, when the 2013 search discovery mailbox is apparently in place and working? Any thoughts? Thank you!

All replies (6)

_{Thursday, February 20, 2014 11:02 PM ✅Answered}

Hi,
Both mailboxes is used when running an In-Place Discovery, so yes you should move the DiscoverSearch Mailbox.

Discovery Mailboxes
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd298021(v=exchg.150).aspx#discmbxs

Martina Miskovic

_{Thursday, February 20, 2014 11:10 PM}

Hi Mike,

You actually do not need them to migrate to Exchange 2013.

Purpose of Arbitaration mailbox - The arbitration mailbox is used to store the original message that’s awaiting approval. By default, one arbitration mailbox is created for moderated transport during setup. It’s used for all moderated recipients. You can add additional arbitration mailboxes for load balancing purposes. If you’re using multiple arbitration mailboxes, you need to specify which mailbox to use for each moderated recipient.

There is no harm in deleting the old arbitration mailbox since Exchange 2013 will have the new arbitration mailbox created during installation which can handle moderated recipients.

You can delete them in 2 ways

Start the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in.
On the View menu, make sure that Advanced Features is selected.
Locate the Microsoft Exchange System Objects container.
Delete the SystemMailbox{e0dc1c29-89c3-4034-b678-e6c29d823ed9} item

Disable these arbitration mailboxes
Get-Mailbox -Arbitration -Database "the original database" | Disable-Mailbox –Arbitration –DisableLastArbitrationMailboxAllowed

Please mark as helpful if you find my contribution useful or as an answer if it does answer your question.That will encourage me - and others - to take time out to help you.

Regards, 
Sathish

_{Friday, February 21, 2014 1:17 AM}

Thanks to you both for the quick response!

I'm not surprised though that you are each telling me to do something different. I can't seem to find a solid answer anywhere I look.

_{Friday, February 21, 2014 5:04 AM}

Check out the link I posted above - It tells you that both the Discovery System Mailbox (=SystemMailbox{e0dc1c29-89c3-4034-b678-e6c29d823ed9) and the DiscoverySearchMailbox is used when running an In-Place eDiscovery.

You should absolutely move the DiscoverySearchmailbox, just as you did with the three arbitration mailboxes. All five is needed in Exchange 2013. Deleting the arbitration mailboxes as suggested by Sathish Veerapandian is a very bad idea.

Martina Miskovic

_{Friday, February 21, 2014 6:19 AM}

Hi,

Agree with Martina Miskovic. The Exchange System Mailboxes, like "Discovery Search" are created on the first Exchange server installed within the organization. If you need to remove a database or uninstall Exchange server, you will need to move the arbitration mailboxes to a different database or different server, respectively.

Best regards,
Belinda

Belinda Ma
TechNet Community Support

_{Friday, February 21, 2014 2:33 PM}

Thanks to you all. I moved the mailbox using New-MoveRequest DiscoverySearchMailbox* -TargetDatabase "DB2013" command and all is well.