- A
The on-premises Exchange server must be reachable from the Microsoft 365 migration service via a public endpoint
Correct. The migration service needs to connect to the on-premises Exchange server to pull mailbox data over a secure connection.
- B
The on-premises Exchange server must have the MRS Proxy service installed and running
Why wrong: Incorrect. MRS Proxy is required for hybrid migration, not cutover migration.
- C
TLS certificate must be bound to the on-premises Exchange server for migration authentication
Why wrong: Incorrect. While security is important, cutover migration does not require a specific TLS certificate; it uses basic authentication (with encryption).
- D
The administrator executing the migration must have on-premises Exchange Organization Management role
Why wrong: Incorrect. The administrator needs Exchange admin permissions, but not necessarily Organization Management; any administrator with sufficient rights can run the migration.
Quick Answer
The correct prerequisite for starting a cutover migration is that the on-premises Exchange server must be reachable from the Microsoft 365 migration service via a public endpoint. This is required because the cutover migration method relies on IMAP or Exchange Web Services (EWS) over HTTPS to discover mailboxes and synchronize data, meaning the on-premises server must be exposed to the internet without relying on a VPN or private connection. On the Microsoft 365 Administrator MS-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of network connectivity requirements for different migration paths, and a common trap is assuming that Azure AD Connect or a hybrid configuration automatically satisfies this condition—it does not, as cutover migration bypasses hybrid topology and needs direct public access. Remember the key distinction: cutover migration is “cloud-initiated,” so the on-premises server must be a visible public endpoint. A useful memory tip is “Cutover = Cloud Calls Out,” meaning the Microsoft 365 service initiates the connection, so your Exchange server must answer the door from the public internet.
MS-102 Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant Practice Question
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and manage a microsoft 365 tenant. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: cutover migration requires public EWS endpoint access for the Microsoft 365 migration service.. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An administrator is planning to migrate from on-premises Exchange to Exchange Online. The current on-premises environment is Exchange 2016. The company has a hybrid deployment with Azure AD Connect. They want to use the cutover migration method. What is a prerequisite for starting a cutover migration?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The on-premises Exchange server must be reachable from the Microsoft 365 migration service via a public endpoint
For a cutover migration from on-premises Exchange 2016 to Exchange Online, the Microsoft 365 migration service must be able to connect to the on-premises Exchange server via a public endpoint. This is because cutover migration uses IMAP or Exchange Web Services (EWS) over HTTPS, requiring the on-premises server to be accessible from the internet without a VPN or private connection. Without this public endpoint, the migration service cannot discover mailboxes or synchronize data.
Key principle: Cutover migration requires public EWS endpoint access for the Microsoft 365 migration service.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The on-premises Exchange server must be reachable from the Microsoft 365 migration service via a public endpoint
Why this is correct
Correct. The migration service needs to connect to the on-premises Exchange server to pull mailbox data over a secure connection.
Related concept
Cutover migration requires public EWS endpoint access for the Microsoft 365 migration service.
- ✗
The on-premises Exchange server must have the MRS Proxy service installed and running
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. MRS Proxy is required for hybrid migration, not cutover migration.
- ✗
TLS certificate must be bound to the on-premises Exchange server for migration authentication
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. While security is important, cutover migration does not require a specific TLS certificate; it uses basic authentication (with encryption).
- ✗
The administrator executing the migration must have on-premises Exchange Organization Management role
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The administrator needs Exchange admin permissions, but not necessarily Organization Management; any administrator with sufficient rights can run the migration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse cutover migration prerequisites with those of a hybrid deployment, incorrectly assuming MRS Proxy or Organization Management role are required, when cutover migration only needs basic EWS/IMAP accessibility and recipient management permissions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cutover migration works by enumerating all on-premises mailboxes via EWS (autodiscover) and then migrating them in bulk. The migration service uses the Exchange Web Services URL (e.g., https://mail.contoso.com/EWS/Exchange.asmx) which must be publicly resolvable and accessible on TCP 443. A common real-world pitfall is that the on-premises server is behind NAT without a proper public DNS record, causing the migration to fail with a connection timeout.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Cutover migration requires public EWS endpoint access for the Microsoft 365 migration service.
- It's suitable for smaller organizations (under 2000 mailboxes).
- All mailboxes are migrated in a single batch.
- Uses basic authentication over HTTPS for data transfer.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Cutover migration requires public EWS endpoint access for the Microsoft 365 migration service.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review cutover migration requires public EWS endpoint access for the Microsoft 365 migration service., then practise related MS-102 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this MS-102 question test?
Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant — This question tests Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant — Cutover migration requires public EWS endpoint access for the Microsoft 365 migration service..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The on-premises Exchange server must be reachable from the Microsoft 365 migration service via a public endpoint — For a cutover migration from on-premises Exchange 2016 to Exchange Online, the Microsoft 365 migration service must be able to connect to the on-premises Exchange server via a public endpoint. This is because cutover migration uses IMAP or Exchange Web Services (EWS) over HTTPS, requiring the on-premises server to be accessible from the internet without a VPN or private connection. Without this public endpoint, the migration service cannot discover mailboxes or synchronize data.
What should I do if I get this MS-102 question wrong?
Review cutover migration requires public EWS endpoint access for the Microsoft 365 migration service., then practise related MS-102 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Cutover migration requires public EWS endpoint access for the Microsoft 365 migration service.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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