Tag: Lync

On .NET Framework 4.6.1 and Exchange Skype4B Lync compatibility

We wanted to post a quick note to call out that since yesterday, the .NET Framework 4.6.1 has been made a recommended update on WU (Windows Update).

As we have already stated in the Exchange Supportability Matrix, at this time, this version of .NET framework is not supported by Exchange. In fact, we know of some issues if it is installed.

We are working with the .NET team to ensure that Exchange customers have a smooth transition to .NET Framework 4.6.1, but in the meantime, delay this particular .NET update on your Exchange servers (information on how this can be accomplished can be found in the KB article 3133990, How to temporarily block the installation of the .NET Framework 4.6.1).

http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2016/02/10/on-net-framework-4-6-1-and-exchange-compatibility.aspx.

As a result of this recommendation from the Exchange team, the Skype for Business team is recommending the same course of action for Lync/Skype for Business servers.

Please follow the guidance located here to block the installation: 3133990, How to temporarily block the installation of the .NET Framework 4.6.1).

Skype for Business 2015 Planning Tool

The Skype for Business Team released Skype for Business 2015 Planning Tool. This tool asks you a series of questions about your organization and the features that you are interested in. The planning tool will then use your answers to recommend a topology based on the tested Skype for Business 2015 user model.
Your organization may have a different user model. If so, you should adjust the recommended topology as necessary to fit your organization’s needs.
What’s in the Planning Tool for Skype for Business 2015?

  • The Planning Tool now allow user to have up to 10 sites, including central site and disaster recovery site
  • The Planning Tool offers capacity guidance for Skype for Business Server 2015 new and updated features listed below.
  • You can answer the questions about these features in the Planning Tool, and then the suggested topology will contain information for those features, e.g hardware, network, DNS, certificate, IP, etc, according to the Skype for Business 2015 user model.
    • Persistent Chat
    • Archiving with Exchange integration
    • Mobility
    • Multi-view Video
    • SQL AlwaysOn
    • High Availability and Disaster Recovery
    • Office Web Apps
    • Exchange Mailbox
  • Skype for Business Server Planning Tool 2015 allows you to specify IPv6 IP addresses
  • Planning Tool identifies the IP conflicts across sites in the suggest topology. You can then choose to show or hide IP conflict in the topology
  • Planning Tool offers more user-friendly FQDN/IP/Port editing dialog
  • Planning Tool updates the suggested hardware requirements, DNS, and certificates with Skype for Business Server 2015 changes
  • Planning Tool updates the planning steps and deployment steps with Skype for Business Server 2015 changes
  • Planning Tool offers better support for accessibility requirements
  • Skype for Business Server Planning Tool 2015 offers improved export of Visio and Excel files. An exported Visio file matches the suggested topology diagram in the Planning Tool as well
  • Planning Tool no longer supports the following features:
    • Virtualized server design
    • Export the Planning Tool file to Topology Builder

Get it: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50357

Source

Certification Update for MCSE: Communication

The MCSE: Communication certification is being updated to support Skype for Business skills.

Starting 28-December, 2015, the following two new Skype for Business exams (currently in beta) will fulfill the MCSE: Communication requirements, provided that the candidate has already earned a qualifying MCSA credential:

The following Microsoft Lync Server 2013 exams retire on 31-March, 2016, but will remain an accepted path towards earning MCSE: Communication until 31-July, 2016:

Please see the MCSE: Communication web page for more details after 28-December.

Skype for Business Basic Client

Lync Basic 2013 provides all the basic functionality that’s available in the full version of Lync (Lync 2013). However, if you want to use any of the following features, you will need to upgrade to Lync 2013:

  • Advanced call features (not available with all Office 365 subscriptions); advanced call features include team ring, call forwarding, simultaneous ring, voice mail, call park, call delegation, response groups, and remote call control
  • Calendar delegation
  • Gallery video view
  • OneNote sharing
  • Recording
  • Skill search (not available with Office 365)
  • Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) (not available with Office 365)

Download Skype for Business Basic

Microsoft Skype for Business Basic (64 Bit)
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49440

Microsoft Skype for Business Basic (32 Bit)
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49439

Rollup 11 for Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 3

Exchange Team has released Update Rollup 11 for Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 3.

From the Microsoft Exchange Team blog:

This release provides an important fix for an Information Store crash when customers are upgrading their Lync server infrastructure to Skype for Business.

Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 3 Update Rollup 11, is the minimum version of Exchange Server 2010 which will be supported in a coexistence deployment with Exchange Server 2016.

Update Rollup 11 can be downloaded here.

ExchangeLyncAdminScript.ps1 Script to Manage Exchange & Lync & Active Directory

Exchange & Lync Admin Script created by Ward Vissers
www.wardvissers.nl

Tool to Manage Active Directory & Exchange & Lync

THIS CODE IS MADE AVAILABLE AS IS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. THE ENTIRE RISK
OF THE USE OR THE RESULTS FROM THE USE OF THIS CODE REMAINS WITH THE USER

    Please select the admin area you require

        1. Active Directy Users Tasks
        2. Active Directy Computers Tasks
        3. Active Directy Groups Tasks
        4. Active Directy Protected From Accidental Deletion Tasks
        5. Active Directy FSMO Tasks
        6. User Profile Tasks
        7. Exchange Tasks
        8. Lync Tasks
        9. Quit and exit
    Enter Menu Option Number:

Download: https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/scriptcenter/Exchange-Lync-Script-c079133e

Microsoft Ignite first things about Exchange Server v.Next & Skype for Business

Microsoft Ignite will be hell add may 4-8. The session catalog contains 275 sessions, covering products like Exchange (49), Office 365 (85) and Skype for Business (26). It will be the first major Microsoft event where details will emerge on the next version of Exchange, Exchange v.Next.

The next version of Exchange Server is arriving in the second half of 2015. A short heads-up as the session catalog for Microsoft Ignite has been published. So, if you are still undecided or already want to pick ‘must see’ sessions for your schedule, you can check the session catalog here.

I will not attend Ignite. But i hope the sessions wil be publishd on Channel 9 here.

Short List of sessions:
Tools and Techniques for Exchange Performance Troubleshooting
Meet Exchange Server v.Next
Choosing between Server, Online and Hybrid with Skype for Business
Deploying Exchange Server v.Next
Deep Dive into How Microsoft Handles Spam and Advanced Email Threats
Exchange Server Preferred Architecture
Experts Unplugged: New Exchange Scenarios
Exchange on IaaS: Concerns, Tradeoffs, and Best Practices

Exchange Administrator’s toolkit

There are lots of tools for Exchange Server available, you can find most of them at the Exchange Server Wiki (some of the tools listed are for previous versions of Exchange).

Here is a short selection from the vast collection available:

Tune and optimize performance of your Office 365 connection

Microsoft has published a new course on Office 365 Performance Management at the Microsoft Virtual Academy, which contains 11 modules across planning and troubleshooting areas including:

  1. Office 365 Performance Management Course Introduction
  2. Office 365 Datacenters and Network
  3. Planning for Office 365 Internet Capacity – Exchange Online
  4. Planning for Office 365 Internet Capacity – Lync Online
  5. Planning for Office 365 Internet Capacity – SharePoint Online
  6. The Baselining Model for Internet Capacity Planning
  7. Best Practices & Real Customer Projects Planning Internet Capacity
  8. Planning for Office 365 Firewalls Whitelisting
  9. Performance Troubleshooting Process and Tools Used
  10. Performance Troubleshooting Tests
  11. Troubleshooting SharePoint Online Customizations
Translate »