Thomas.Poett@TEAMS (MVP Teams and Cross-Tenant M&A/D Migration Expert Lead)

First is: by stand of today, SQL Server Clustering is NOT SUPPORTED. MSFT makes a clear statement, you can still use SQL Server Clustering for Lync 2013, but with the Preview Version you should test is carefully. Why not working directly with Database Mirroring? It is some more the PowerShell you need to configure this feature. In another blog I describe the setup of the Lync 2013 TestLab, generally I have configured two SQL Server for the Enterprise Pool, SQL01 and SQL02. In the Topology i have defined SQL01 as the Primary and SQL02 as the Mirror for Database handling. After the EE is installed, whereby the Database where created, I need to make the Mirroring Feature happen. First you need to create a DatabaseFileShare for DB Replication. You can to this on a Witness server or like I did, I have chosen a Domain Controller (just for the LAB). NOTE: Make sure you have the proper permission for this share set, else you run into some issues. The proper sett...

It's als time to introduce Lync 2013 Topology Builder. It's not a lot new which you would see on the spotting view. But it's more than you believe. I will guide you through an entire setup of a Lync Enterprise Pool now: Start with a new Topology and save it as usual.  Chose the primary SIP Domain, I have chosen lyncuc.blogspot.com From here,if you have multiple other SIP domains, e.g. internal domains or other party domains, simply add them and have in mind you need to work out for certificates later. Than we start defining our first Lync Site, usually this is the internal site or the internal site with Internet facing access. Just provide the necessary information where the Site is located. Than we have to proceed with the Front-End Pool coniguration, you can do this via the wizard or you do this individually later. Remember the settings and information required. Than I have chose the Pool Name, I mainly chose a name with the word "POO...

Let's start with the overview and the major changes introduced into LYNC 2013. Operating System: 64bit and Windows Server 2008 or 2008 R2 is required, with the Std, Ent or DC version only. Consolidated Server Roles: Now the A/V Conferencing Server is always collocated with the Front-End Server. Monitoring and Archiving can also be collocated with the Front-End Server (with its own dedicated SQL Database) High Availability: Lager Pools are possible, up to 20 Servers Disaster Recovery Data Center option allows an Admin to failover the effected User to the second paired Pool. Including an optional Witness Server (SQL), you can now deploy SQL Server Synchronous Mirroring. Enterprise Voice: Multi Trunk Support between Mediation Server and Gateway (Inter-Trunk) Additional Call Authorization for Call Forwarding and Simultaneous Ringing Manager and Delegate simultaneous ringing Voice Mail Escape Caller ID presentation Conferencing dail-out for non Enterprise Voice e...

Hi all, the NDA is released since today. So watch out my new Blog Entries. I work with LYNC 2013 since month, so will get nearly everything here. If you have any prefered wish what should be posted first, just give some comments Cheers Author: Thomas Pött Managing Consultant Microsoft UC

Untitled Document Generally Load Balancer in Lync must be used along with DNS load balancing or in an entire configuration. If you make used of DNS load balancing, the HLB will be used for HTTP/ HTTPS traffic ( Pool Web Services ). Using DNS LB has both sites, an advantage and disadvantage. Positive is, you can scale a HLB much higher if you only use it for HTTP traffic. The HLB can fully be utilized for SSL offloading. Negative is, you are depending on availability of your DNS infrastructure. Other disadvantage is, DNS based load balancing will never consider the real load on a Lync Server, since the algorithm cannot be aware about the real load. The Client make the decision which server it will connect to. Other is, if you want to make use of PIC, you still need a Load Balancer. Sum: It depends all on your feature set, load calculation, the server count and sure your budget ;) ---------------------------- Gateway consideration (keep in mind): There are ...