Malcolm Bullock - Unified Communications

Installing DirSync on a Domain Controller

MBullock — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 01:06:20 GMT

I have to admit I missed this update when it came out. In some Office 365 training in TVP last week we mentioned that it was now supported to install DirSync onto a DC. Well here is the info….

Version 6567.0018 released on 22/11/13 provides support for installing DirSync onto a DC. See the change log HERE - and keep checking there for version updates.

See this link for information on the ‘Windows Azure Active Directory Sync Tool’ – and specially note that there are specific instructions required for installing on a DC

Network Analyser is dead… meet Message Analyser!

MBullock — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 03:27:04 GMT

Microsoft has release a new network analysis tool to the Download Centre and this great blog will tell you all about how the new tool will allow you to Capture – Analyse – share data, with new capabilities such as SSL/HTTPS inspection. That blog reads well but I then discovered a series on message analyser with quite a few follow-up post to the intro post above. I’m off the read the section on ‘Dealing with too much data’ before I go ahead and install the tool in my MTC datacentre!

Lync 2013 Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) options

MBullock — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 23:58:30 GMT

At a time when Microsoft are talking about ‘People Centric IT’ which includes the various remote desktop options I guess it’s timely that the Lync team have put some (more) effort into clarifying the VDI options with Lync.

Please review their new Lync VDI qualified Infrastructure page, and read the blog they have put together here.

Jabra Update

MBullock — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 03:34:02 GMT

JABRA PC SUITE GETS UPGRADE

Jabra released an upgrade to Jabra PC Suite (JPCS) - Version 2.12.3884. The new release provides added value and functionality to Lync customers. Current JPCS users will automatically be notified about this new version when they run PC suite.

Key Enhancements:

· Microsoft Lync - User status will now show “In a Call” status instead of “Busy” status when in a Lync call.

· Battery meter for Speak 510 Series - Users can see the percentage battery left when they mouse over the battery icon in the Jabra Battery Manager.

· Show Call Manager during call with menu support for incoming and outgoing calls

· New auto pairing parameter for LINK360 in Jabra Control Center

Jabra encourages customers and partners to get the benefits of the new Jabra PC Suite (JPCS) by upgrading directly from their old JPCS version or by downloading the latest version from www.jabra.com/pcsuite.

Updates to the Lync 2013 Mobile Clients

MBullock — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 03:26:41 GMT

The Lync 2013 Mobile clients for iOS and Windows Phone 8 have been updated:

iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lync-2013-for-ipad/id605608899?mt=8

iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-lync-2013-for-iphone/id605841731?mt=8

WP8: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/lync-2013/d85d8a57-0f61-4ff3-a0f4-444e131d8491

What’s changed:

- Join a meeting even if you don't have a Lync account

- View more information about meeting participants

- Support for certification and passive authentication

- Easily start a conversation with a group

- Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program support

- Windows Phone only: Pin a contact to your home screen for quick communication

October (COMBINED) Lync 2013 Server & Lync 2013 SDK & Lync 2010 Cumulative Updates released

MBullock — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 00:34:23 GMT

I’ve put a bit of ‘table’ effort in and combined the numerous Lync 2010 releases and their KB’s with the Lync 2013 information. Hope this quick reference helps! (and that this formats properly on the web!)

Product	Version	KB Article
Lync 2013	5.0.8308.556	2809243
Lync 2013 SDK	5.0.8308.556	2809243
Lync 2010 (64bit client)	4.0.7577.4409	2884632
Lync 2010 (32bit client)	4.0.7577.4409	2884632
Lync 2010, Group Chat Client	4.0.7577.4409	2884627
Lync Server 2010, Group Chat Administration Tool	4.0.7577.4409	2884631
Lync Server 2010, Group Chat Server	4.0.7577.4409	2884623
Lync Server 2010	4.0.7577.223	2493736
Lync Phone Edition (for Aastra 6721ip and Aastra 6725ip)	4.0.7577.4411	2889241
Lync Phone Edition (for HP 4110 and HP 4120)	4.0.7577.4411	2889243
Lync Phone Edition (for Polycom CX500, Polycom CX600, and Polycom CX3000)	4.0.7577.4411	2889246
Lync Phone Edition (for Polycom CX700 and LG-Nortel IP Phone 8540)	4.0.7577.4411	2889244

Some links above may not be live just yet but will be shortly!

Avalanche warning!! Cloud OS drives a host of new releases from Microsoft

MBullock — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 00:04:46 GMT

I sometimes think that it’s hard to truly understand the breadth and depth of Microsoft’s business. It will certainly be a challenge for an incoming CEO! Therefore, I love the new Modern tiles look of this infographic describing just some of Microsoft’s reach into the Enterprise under the ‘Cloud OS’ Vision. Just look at the achievements to date, and the progress about to release to market in the next month or so..

See the full announcement here and make sure you see ‘Microsoft by the numbers’ for an Modern look at Microsoft’s breadth and depth in the market.

Coming to you in the next month there is:

· Windows Server 2012 R2, System Center 2012 R2, and the Windows Azure Pack will be generally available on October 18, 2013.

· A new release of the Windows Intune service, along with System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager on October 18, that combined deliver our unified device management solution.

· New Microsoft Remote Desktop apps for iOS, Mac OS X and Android coming later in October

· Visual Studio 2013 and the new .NET 4.5.1 will be available on October 18, 2013.

· SQL Server 2014 second community technology preview (CTP2) will be available next week and HDInsight Service later this month.

· Updates to the Power BI for Office 365 Preview

· Release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Fall ’13 will be available later this month.

· Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 is available today, October 7, 2013.

· Windows Azure:

o On November 1, Microsoft will offer all Enterprise Agreement (EA) customers access to the best Windows Azure prices, regardless of upfront commitment, without overuse penalties, and with the flexibility of annual payments.

o A new strategic partnership with Equinix will allow customers to connect their networks with Windows Azure at Equinix exchange locations for greater throughput, availability and security.

Now then, putting all this together and delivering BUSINESS value is the job of IT – hope you are on to it!!

Sonus: Maximising returns on Lync Enterprise Voice

MBullock — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 08:03:00 GMT

I have a UX1000 SBA made by Sonus in the Edinburgh Microsoft Technology Centre. I’ve long been a fan of gateway’s and more over SBC’s in a Lync topology, they aren't needed but add that extra layer of redundancy and isolation into a voice deployment. Therefore I was interested to read that Sonus have collaborated to put together the resource below.

CIO PLAYBOOK: MAXIMIZING ROI FOR LYNC ENTERPRISE VOICE

CIO Magazine and Sonus developed a playbook to navigate through the decision points of updating enterprise communications infrastructure to its optimal level. Learn how Session Border Controllers (SBCs) and Lync Enterprise Voice can reduce capital and operational expenditures while improving network availability.

Download a complimentary copy of this informative resource today.

Also in the news,

SONUS NAMED IN 2013 INFORMATION WEEK 500 LIST OF TOP TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS

Sonus received the award in recognition of its 2013 companywide UC deployment, featuring Lync with Enterprise Voice and SBCs. Since implementing the solution in early 2013, Sonus has enhanced collaboration across its worldwide operations. Sonus has realized significant cost savings as a result of network consolidation and internally hosting audio/videoconferencing applications, even as conferencing minutes within the company increased. This is Sonus’ second consecutive appearance on the list. View the press release.

Can’t spell–wont spell–Fear not spellcheck for Lync client is here!

MBullock — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 00:04:00 GMT

SPELLCHECK FOR LYNC WINDOWS DESKTOP CLIENT RELEASED

With the September updates to the Office clients, native spellcheck has been released for the Lync Windows desktop client. For more information on the download, see the Microsoft Support page.

I am running Office 365 Pro Plus deployed using Click-to-run so my client gets updated automatically!

Reminder: Exchange 2013 sizing–how many servers do I need?

MBullock — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 07:16:51 GMT

The sizing information for Exchange 2013 was released much earlier this year, but as I have just been asked for it I thought that I might as well copy the guidance into a blog for future re-use!

- Use Exchange 2013 pre-requisites to determine what software is required for an Exchange 2013 on-prem implementation

- Consider co-locating CAS and MBX – CAS is now a very light stateless proxy with almost all load on the mbx server. See blog posts below

- If you want to size properly I suggest a read of this blog and then use the calculator from here

Of course if you choose Exchange Online you don't need to worry about any of the above – Microsoft do that for you!!