Question : keep same server name after exchagne transition

I will be transitioning from exchange 2000 to exchange 2007 SP2.  after i move mailboxes, replicate public folders, verify that it is working, decomission, uninstall exchange 2000. Can i rename my new email server running exchange 2007 to my old server's name and ssign the old server's IP address? This would be ideal so i wouldnt need to change everything using the mail server name or IP.

Answer : keep same server name after exchagne transition

As it has been said before you cannot rename an exchange server it will break it, however since you are upgrading from exchange 2000 why not going directly to exchange 2010, you will be able to follow the following path

1) Install exchange 2007 trial and migrated 2000 to 2007
http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Transitioning-Exchange-2000-2003-Exchange-Server-2007-Part1.html
2) decomission your exchange 2000
3) Install 2010 with the same name as your 2000
4) migrate from 2007 trial to your 2010

you would have accomplished what you want