How to Move Rackspace Hosted Exchange OST File to Microsoft 365? – Easy Migration Solution!
If you use Rackspace, you might have been impacted by the recent cyberattack that severely disrupted their Exchange Server. According to the most recent update, Rackspace advises users to move their email accounts to Microsoft 365 and even provides free licenses while their servers are down. Especially when working with OST files, it might be a challenging undertaking for people who are not familiar with the migration process. Don’t worry; this post describes the situation in detail and offers suggestions for fast migration procedure from Rackspace Hosted Exchange OST files to Microsoft 365 so that your emails will be easily accessible.
Reasons for Migration from Rackspace Hosted Exchange OST File to M365 Account
There can be several reasons for wanting to move your data from a Rackspace Hosted Exchange OST data to Microsoft 365. Here are some common reasons:
- Cloud-Based Collaboration: M365 provides cloud-based collaboration applications which allow effective communication, document sharing, and real-time collaboration among team members. This can improve productivity and modernize teamwork.
- Scalability: It offers flexible plans and costing options, permitting users to scale their subscriptions based on their company’s needs. This can be particularly beneficial for organizations experiencing growth or modifications in user numbers.
- Integrated Ecosystem: Microsoft 365 adds various productivity applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and many others. This integration can lead to a more consistent user experience and enhanced efficiency.
- Access Anywhere: Office 365 enables users to access their emails, documents, and tools from anywhere with an internet connection. This is beneficial and advantageous for remote work or employees who need to work while on the go.
- Enhanced Security: M365 cloud application provides robust and advanced security features, including advanced threat protection, data encryption, and multi-factor authentication. This can help safeguard sensitive information and protect against cyber-attacks.
- Regular Updates: The Office 365 cloud platform receives daily updates, ensuring that you have access to the latest features security patches, and improvements without the need for manual installations.
- Integration with Windows Environment: When your company uses Windows OS, Microsoft 365 integrates seamlessly with these systems proving a consistent experience across devices.
- Migration to Cloud Services: Maximum companies are transferring toward cloud-based solutions to reduce the need for maintaining on-premises infrastructure. This change can lead to price savings, improved reliability, and reduced administrative overhead.
Method 1: Transfer OST File from Rackspace Hosted Exchange to Microsoft 365 using the EAC
The Exchange Admin Centre (EAC) is the best system for carrying out this adjustment. Following are the steps to take when moving:
Prepare your Current Rackspace environment.
Reviewing Rackspace is essential before moving to Microsoft 365 to ensure that the data is ready for the move. Reviewing mailboxes, distribution lists, contacts, and user accounts as well as ensuring the required access permissions are all part of this stage.
Get the Rackspace Server Information.
You require the information for the Rackspace server that is hosting your mails in order to start the transfer procedure. Find this important information by navigating to your Rackspace account. Depending on the type of Rackspace email account, specific login procedures to access the information may change.
Choose an Appropriate Microsoft 365 Licence Plan.
Before beginning the migration, it is essential to select the Microsoft 365 license package that best fits your organization’s needs. Choose the plan that best suits the needs of your organization by understanding the features, capabilities, and costs.
Create the Migration Batch and Endpoint.
Utilise the PowerShell cmdlets to establish a connection to Exchange Online and a migration endpoint. Exchange Online connects to the on-premises or hosted Exchange organisation through endpoints, which are physical locations. With the help of a CSV file, create a migration batch and provide the target email address, the source email account’s password, and any other pertinent settings. Start the batch migration after confirming the endpoint.
Method 2: Subscription to an Archive Service
First off, it’s crucial to remember that if you’ve signed up for Rackspace’s Archive service, you may quickly retrieve your emails. This downtime has no effect on the archive feature, which is operational. To retrieve your emails via the Archive service, follow these steps.
- Enter your user credentials to access the Archive Manager.
- Visit Domains and select Email Archiving.
- Select your domain and click Manage My Archive.
- Find the archive you want to access after successfully signing in.
- Last but not least, you must import the OST-formatted archive into Office 365.
However, what if you want Office 365 to automatically move from OST? The CubexSoft OST Converter, a superb program specially created to address the troublesome circumstances that make access to old emails difficult, offers the answer.
Use an Automated Tool for Faster Migration Procedure
The Outlook email profiles become inactive and unavailable when an Exchange Server fails, the user is disabled or removed from the server, or both. However, Outlook set with an Exchange profile (Hosted Microsoft Exchange in this case) creates a local cache or.OST file to save a synchronised copy of every mail item from the Exchange mailbox server to the local storage for rapid access and improved Outlook performance.
With the help of a dependable OST to PST Converter tool, such as CubexSoft OST Export Technician Edition, administrators can convert this local OST file of every user to PST format.
This software has numerous advantages, including the ability to convert OST file to PST without the need for Exchange Server connectivity or profile requirements and the option to freely convert 25 items from OST folder to PST.
Software Steps to Move Rackspace Hosted Exchange OST File to Microsoft 365
Primarily, download the OST File Converter software and launch it on your Windows system. After launching this software, you can follow the step-by-step working guide process for how to Move Rackspace Hosted Exchange OST File to Microsoft 365:
Step 1. Browse OST files using Add File button, Add Folder, or Load Outlook Profile Folder option for the conversion process
Step 2. After loading OST files, the software will scan files and add all the related databases with checkboxes on the software screen. You can select/deselect the items as per need.
Step 3. Now, tab the Saving Option and choose the Office 365 output format. Then, provide your Office 365 login credential details and set other filters as per need.
Step 4. Now, hit on the Convert option to start the process of exporting .ost fils into Office 365 cloud account.
Step 5. Once the tool finishes the migration, the software will display the notification of Conversion Completed Successfully. Finally, press the OK button to done the process.
Wrapping Up
In this write-up, we have explained both manual and automated solutions to migrate emails from Rackspace Hosted Exchange OST files to Microsoft 365 account. The manual method has some drawbacks like a time-consuming, lengthy process, risks involved, and many more. CubexSoft OST File to PST Converter enables bulk migration of numerous files and large file migration without any data loss. Users are also made to feel more comfortable by its user-friendly interface.
