leedesmond’s blog

One of the FAQ that continues to get raised is the deployment of Lync Server 2010 on host-based or server virtualization platforms. Be it Hyper-V R2 or one of the certified partners in the Windows Server Virtualization Validation Program (SVVP), almost all server workloads and roles are now supported in a virtualized production environment. The updated virtualization support policy includes the deployment of Lync Server 2010 Standard Edition and real-time traffic (modalities) like audio/video and sharing. Nevertheless, virtualization of the physical desktop or client operating system via technologies such as VDI remains unsupported. And for good (obvious) reasons.

To learn more about this important subject, check out the new white paper entitled “Server Virtualization in Microsoft Lync Server 2010” today (alternate link)!

Update (3 May 2011)
See also a related blog post “Lync (Client) 2010 Virtualization White Paper / Support Policy” on this site for running the Lync 2010 client and Lync 2010 Group Chat client in supported client virtualization environments.

Technorati tags: Microsoft Lync Server/Client

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You can deploy the newly released BPA for Lync Server 2010 to proactively examine, identify, fix and keep your Lync infrastructure up-to-date from Active Directory Domain Services, Lync Server 2010 to Exchange Server Unified Messaging. An online version of the documentation for the tool is also available (link).

In order to perform scans on top of viewing reports, the BPA tool must be installed on supported operating systems* with a functional installation of the .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1), Lync Server2010 Core Components** and WMI Backward Compatibility Package.

The best practices analyzer tool for Lync Server 2010 is designed to prob for configuration information from Lync Server 2010 components only. To scan environments running Office Communications Server 2007 or R2, use of the previous version of the BPA tool is necessary (link).

* Windows Server 2008 R2,  Windows Server 2008 SP2, Windows 7
** Unified Communications Managed API 3.0 Runtime

Technorati tags: Microsoft Lync Server/Client

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A quick update: I shall be delivering an additional break-out session on the private cloud with VMM vNext (System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012) at Tech.Ed Middle East 2011. See you in Dubai real soon!

(MGT301) System Center Virtual Machine Manager vNext: Fabric Management for the Private Cloud
Wed 9 March 2011
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Private clouds enable abstraction of services from the underlying fabric, delivering benefits to the enterprise for fabric as well as service management. Come and see how VMM vNext delivers industry-leading Fabric Provisioning and Infrastructure Management. See how VMM vNext will handle Networking, Storage, Cluster and Bare Metal Provisioning. Learn how VMM vNext will help with Dynamic Optimization, Power Optimization and Monitoring of the Infrastructure to ensure that you are providing the desired service levels to the consumers of your Infrastructure, with the speed and agility they require.

Technorati tags: TechEd, Events, Virtual Machine Manager, Cloud Computing

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Tech.Ed Middle East 2011 is returning to Dubai, UAE this year. This is a major technical conference for IT Pros and developers in the region and will take place from Tue 8 to Thu 10 Mar 2011. A pre-conference is scheduled on Mon 7 Mar 2011. To register or find out more information, click here.

I am very happy to share that I shall be back at Tech Ed Middle East as a speaker to deliver a break-out session on VMM v.Next in the private cloud (computing) in the management track. A synopsis is outlined here:

(MGT205)  System Center Virtual Machine Manager vNext: Service Lifecycle Management for the Private Cloud

Tue 8 March 2011
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

Private clouds enable abstraction of services from the underlying fabric. This abstraction delivers benefits to the enterprises for fabric management as well as service management. Come and see how VMM vNext delivers industry leading service design, deployment and management for private cloud environments. See the power and benefits of using Server Application Virtualization and image based servicing. Learn how to create private clouds, design service templates and empower your end users to deploy and manage services in the private cloud. Attendees will gain an understanding of VMM vNext supported scenarios, along with an understanding of how to use these capabilities to build an on-premise private cloud.

With just about a month left to the start of the conference, you should act today to be part of the exciting Tech Ed experience. I look forward eagerly to be back in the region to meet and speak with you again. See you all there in person real soon!

Technorati tags: TechEd, Events, Virtual Machine Manager, Cloud Computing

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The much anticipated Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 has gone RTM (Release-To-Manufacturing) on 9 Feb 2011. With the release of SP1, two specific Windows Server features on the back-end are of prime interest, namely Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX support. These features can be consumed by Windows 7 with SP1 on the client side.

On the server/host-based virtualization front, enhanced features boost the ratio of virtual to logical processors from 8:1 to 12:1 to better support VDI deployments. Each Hyper-V R2 failover cluster can now theoretically support up to 1000 VMs (from 384). New Linux Integration Services round up the highlights of Service Pack 1 in Windows Server 2008 R2.

Availability Info:
Wed 9 Feb 2011 RTM to OEM partners
Wed 16 Feb 2011 Release for TechNet and MSDN Subscribers
Tue 22 Feb 2011 General Availability (GA/download*)

References:
- Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 SP1 Releases to Manufacturing Today (link)
- Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Add New Virtualization Innovations (link)
- Announcing Availability of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 (link)
- Documentation for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (KB976932)
- Deployment Guide for Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 and Windows 7 with SP1 (link)
- Hyper-V Dynamic Memory Configuration Guide (link)
- Microsoft RemoteFX (link)

* see KB976932

Technorati tags: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2

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Lync 2010 Client

Description of the cumulative update package for Lync 2010: January 2011 (KB2467763)*

Description of the cumulative update for Lync 2010 Attendant: January 2011 (KB2467760)

Description of the cumulative update for Lync 2010 Attendee - Administrator level installation: January 2011 (KB2467762)

Description of the cumulative update for Lync 2010 Attendee - User level installation: January 2011 (KB2467761)

Description of the update for Lync 2010 Group Chat Client: January 2011 (KB2467765)

Lync 2010 Phone Edition

Description of the cumulative update for Microsoft Lync 2010 Phone Edition for Polycom CX700 and LG-Nortel IP Phone 8540: January 2011 (KB2493722)

Description of the cumulative update for Lync 2010 Phone Edition for Aastra 6721ip and Aastra 6725ip: January 2011 (KB2493724)

Description of the cumulative update for Lync 2010 Phone Edition for Polycom CX500, Polycom CX600, and Polycom CX3000: January 2011 (KB2493723)

Lync Server 2010

Updates for Lync Server 2010 (KB2493736)
This KB article points to the actual updates released and applicable for the various Lync Server 2010 components as follows:

- Description of the update package for Lync Server 2010, Administrative Tools: January 2011 (KB2467771)

- Description of the cumulative update for Lync Server 2010, Core Components: January 2011 (KB2467775)

- Description of the update package for Lync Server 2010, Conferencing Server: January 2011 (KB2467776)

- Description of the update package for Lync Server 2010, Web Components Server: January 2011 (KB2449497)

* update #1 for Lync 2010 Client

Keywords: patch, hotfix, cumulative update, rollup package, lync, 2010, client, server, cumulative update 1, cu1

Technorati tags: Microsoft Lync Server/Client, Lync Attendee, Lync Phone Edition

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The Lync Server 2010 Planning Tool is designed to provide prescriptive guidance in the planning of your Lync topology (physical/virtualized). It walks you through a series of organizational questions and desired Lync features to generate a recommended topology based on the tested Microsoft Lync Server 2010 user model. You can export the resulting network diagram as a Visio compatible file format as well as import the topology file directly into Topology Builder to simplify setup.

To run the Lync Server 2010 Planning Tool, Windows Vista or Windows 7 with Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 is required. More information and download here.

Technorati tags: Microsoft Lync Server

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A series of free online instructor-led training (ILT) is scheduled in the coming weeks. Check them out and sign-up today for a preferred date/time slot. Separately, on-demand self-paced learning sessions are available.

Introducing Microsoft Lync (link)
9 / 16 / 23 Feb 2011 at 1800 UTC (or 1000 PST/1300 EST)

Microsoft Lync empowers users to communicate and collaborate easily using a range of tools accessible from a single application, including instant messaging (IM), voice, video, and desktop sharing.

Best Practices for Microsoft Lync Conferencing (link)
8 / 15 / 22 Feb 2011 at 1700 UTC (or 0900 PST/1200 EST)

Learn best practices for managing Online Meetings using Microsoft Lync. From scheduled conferences to instant application sharing, discover how easy it is to collaborate successfully!

Six Steps to a Successful UC Rollout (link)
8 / 15 / 22 Feb 2011 at 2100 UTC (or 1300 PST/1600 EST)

For those implementing Unified Communications solutions within their organization, this course offers recommendations to promote a successful UC launch and reinforce ongoing user adoption.

Self-Paced E-Learning Courses (link)

Can’t find a class to fit your schedule? On-demand versions of the above training courses, and many more, can be accessed from your desktop anytime, day or night.

Technorati tags: Microsoft Lync Server, Event, Training

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