Some Blackberry tips if switching machines

If you guys are looking to move your Blackberry server to a new machine, you can basically perform the following steps:

1. Stop the Domino server (Make sure you disable the Domino server and BES services. 2 BES Server shouldn't use the same SPR ID and License Keys at the same time)
2. Backup your database
3. Backup the notes databases related to BES
4. Reinstall your Database server
5. Restore the database
6. Install BES (enter the server license information that was used in the old BES server)
7. Connect BES to the previously restored database
8. Start BES
9. Test

These steps are really easy and if you want more details go to Paul Mooney's blog
and read his guide. It applies if you are using the local DB server but even if you use DB2 or a remote MS SQL server is still very helpful.

Now, if for some reason, you need to install a BES server that is about to be shipped to another country (in another continent) but you can't afford to have your users without BES and you don't need to migrate data (you will add the users as new users - don't ask why.. it is a long history), go ahead and:

1. Order a trial license from RIM
2. Install BES and use the trial keys
3. Test and make sure everything works
4. Pack and ship the servers
5. Start the servers again in the new location
6. Test it is still working with the trial licenses
7. Bring the production server down (make sure noboy will start it again - disable Domino and BES services for example)
8. Stop the new Domino server
9. Get the Licenses and Keys
10. Open the Blackberry Manager and add the the old CAL, Keys and ID. (Replace the trial ones)
11. Start the Server
12. Wipe the devices and run Enterprise Activation. You could go manually and delete the service books and desktop from the device but it is just easier to wipe it (at least for me)
13. Test and if everything is ok.. you are ready to go.

By the way, if you want to have a test environment to play with BES. Make sure the user to be activated can receive mail from the internet since RIM will send some registration information and the BES server will go to the Inbox to get it.

Enjoy !