Hardware Load Balancing with Office Communications Server 2007 R2

Hardware load balancer in OCS can be complex, there is a new guide/document on this.

 

Get it here

Source for this information LCSKid

UC and Volcano ash Cloud

Now is the time that some regret not having OCS installed and using it, instead of flying out to all meetings :)

I work in Denmark covering, Norway and Iceland, = no fight in or out!

But who cares, I have my Communicator and Live-meeting I can get trough this, due to this UC solution.

 

Today and on a normal day

Link http://www.flightradar24.com/?lat=51d84935276370605&lng=20d9619140625&zoom=4

I this “BS” or am I right ? (I know some meetings it’s nice be onsite, but it’s not always the fact) and in a emergency like this, there is a reason for not being onsite, so now is the time for UC to show it’s value!

   

Lets have a guess on how many business travelers that actually could say; this meeting I could have done from OCS Live-meeting, instead of being in this airport for X number of days.
Some of them doesn’t have OCS but some might have.

But my guess is more than >50% if they had the possibility!

On the other hand, I know of two guys from Inceptio in Ireland, finish doing a 4 days OCS Voice Ignite training, they couldn't do this in a Live meeting, and who wouldn't like to have a few stress less days to relax, finding the local PUB or go for a tour in what ever country you are cord in :)

But all the guys that are paying for a TAXI spending many hours to drive across Europe, they are regretting not using OCS :)

OCS R2 April updates

Product	Update	KB Link
Office Communications Server 2007 R2	OCS_2007R2_CU5	968802
Office Communication Server 2007 R2 Database Upgrade	OCSDU_2007R2_CU5	979857
Attendant Console 2007 R2	AC_2007R2_CU5	980936
Office Communicator 2007 R2	OC_2007R2_CU5	978564
Office Communicator Phone Edition 2007 R2	OCPE_2007R2_CU5	981526

Polycom Handset for OCS 14

Polycom will build OCS 14  devices

Lobby phone Cx500 and lowcost CX600 full OCS14 device , CX3000 full ocs 14 Conference device,

 

Surce for this information http://stevenjenkinson.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/new-polycom-ocs-handsets/

AND http://www.tincupsandstring.com/2010/04/03/phones-for-ocs-wave-14-from-aastra-and-polycom/

Astra Announces IP Phones for Microsoft Communications Server “14”

6725ip

The 6725ip is a true IP phone that can operate as a standalone Microsoft Communications Server “14” endpoint. When connected to a Microsoft Communicator “14” equipped desktop, it provides a tight integration with the desktop client.

• Embedded Microsoft Communicator Phone Edition Software
• Color screen
• Dual gigabit Ethernet ports
• Direct desktop integration
• Personal presence indicator
• USB interfaces 
• Speakerphone
• Standalone operation

get more info here

Update: Astra’s own information here

SIP Phone Support for Microsoft Unified Communications

AudioCodes SIP Phone Support (SPS) is a value-added application for AudioCodes Mediant Media Gateways, which enables smooth connectivity of 300HD Series IP Phones, affordable, high quality IP Phones from AudioCodes, as well as third-party IP Phones, into the Microsoft Office Communications Server environment.

SPS can also be used to enable connectivity and provisioning of AudioCodes certified third-party SIP IP Phones from leading vendors, such as Cisco and Avaya, providing IT managers with full investment protection for their IP Phones.

http://www.audiocodes.com/product/sps

Tieto

Communications network integration for telecommunications service providers through an alliance with Microsoft

http://www.tieto.com/pressbriefing/

Telenor and Astra MX one ready for OCS R2

Good news for the Nordic :)

Telenor as SIP Trunking Services Qualified for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2

Astra MX one as Direct SIP: Gateways and IP-PBXs Qualified for Office Communications Server

see it here

Microsoft Exchange Server Profile Analyzer

Overview

Use the Microsoft Exchange Server Profile Analyzer tool to collect estimated statistical information from a single mailbox store or across an Exchange Server organization. The collected data can be used for such tasks as analyzing the performance and health of a server that has mailboxes, improving capacity planning models, and improving testing methodologies and tools.
Prior to upgrading to this version, users should backup the default Profile Analyzer configuration XML file if any customizations have been made.
Important Notice: The Microsoft Exchange Profile Analyzer tool collects information related to user activity on production mailbox systems and can be used to generate aggregate user profile statistics for sets of Exchange users. Before using the tool in a production environment, you may wish to ensure that your collection and use of this information is consistent with the privacy and other laws of your country.

32 bit get it here

64 bit get it here

Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Design Guide

Overview

This guidance provides the recommendations for the implementation of Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 {R26} as a unified communications platform. The guidance covers instant messaging, conferencing and enterprise voice.

get it here

Presence Integration Between IM Applications and 2007 Microsoft Office System

Overview

This document describes how an instant messaging (IM) application is integrated with Microsoft Office 2007 to provide Presence, IM, as well as call and conferencing features. There are two main categories of functionality for Office 2007 integration:

• Basic IM and Presence Integration
• Advanced Presence, IM, Call and Conferencing Integration

get it here

Exchange Pre-Deployment Analyzer

Brief Description

The Exchange Pre-Deployment Analyzer performs an overall topology readiness scan of your environment and provides you with a list of decisions that need to be made before you deploy Exchange Server 2010.

Overview

You can use the Exchange Pre-Deployment Analyzer to perform an overall topology readiness scan of your environment. When you run the Exchange Pre-Deployment Analyzer, it provides a detailed report that will alert you if there are any issues within your organization, which could prevent you from deploying Exchange 2010. For example, the Exchange Pre-Deployment Analyzer will notify you if you haven't deployed the minimum required Exchange service pack on all your existing Exchange servers.
The checks performed by ExPDA are similar to the pre-requisite checks implemented (via Exchange Best Practices Analyzer) in the Exchange 2010 Setup program; in fact ExPDA is based off the Exchange Best Practices Analyzer (ExBPA) engine. However, unlike Exchange 2010 setup, this tool focuses only on overall topology readiness and not the ability to run Exchange 2010 on the local computer. The scan also performs a deep analysis of each existing Exchange 2003/2007 server to verify that it has the necessary updates and configuration in-place to support Exchange 2010. The end report is structured as follows:

• Critical - A configuration problem that will prevent Exchange 2010 from being deployed in the organization. For example, the Active Directory Forest is not operating in Windows Server 2003 Forest Functional Mode or higher.
• Warning - A configuration item that may prevent customers having the best possible experience with Exchange 2010. A warning may also reflect some functionality that is not available in Exchange 2010.

ExPDA is another component in our vision to provide a seamless upgrade experience that reduces the complexities in deploying Exchange 2010. To start planning your upgrade, please utilize the Exchange Deployment Assistant. The Deployment Assistant allows a customer to create Exchange 2010 on-premises deployment instructions that are customized to their environment. The Assistant asks a small set of questions, and based on the answers, it provides a finite set of instructions that are designed to get a customer up and running on Exchange 2010. Running the Exchange Server Pre-Deployment Analyzer is now a recommended step within the pre-requisites section of the Deployment Assistant.

get it here

Description of the Office Communicator 2007 R2, Phone Edition update: January 2010

get it here

Windows Phone 7 series and iPadGolf

This look like a nice phone can’t wait :)

http://www.windowsphone7series.com/

 

And I found something I could use the iPad for (sorry I could keep this for myself) :)

Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Group Policy Field Guide

The Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Group Policy Field Guide is an essential guide for administrators who are responsible for setting Group Policy or configuring registry settings for Communicator users. It uses clear explanations and practical examples to illustrate how and why you would use a policy in your organization.

get it here