Lyncme Blog - New Version New Lab

As I mentioned in a few posts my old lab died on me, and instead of fixing it I took the opportunity to build a new one. which will allow me to scale out more VMs and test scaled deployments with out needing to shut other VMs down.

I am almost done building out the VMs :)

for anyone that's interested my lab server now runs an Intel i7 3820 3.60Ghz, 64GB Ram, and 2 RAID 1 array's so I can separate the VMs load across multiple disks.

 

 

Once I get the VMs prepped, I will be deploying a "DR" site in the lab. The next posts will be Persistent Chat and the new Lync 2013 failover pool features and configuration.

 

Thanks for reading, and if you have suggestions on what you would like to see reach out and let me know.

 

Lync 2013 Metro and Basic Client Details...

With all the buzz going around about the wave 15 server product launches some exciting client side products including the Lync 2013 Metro and Basic client apps.

Microsoft has done an excellent job on creating this app to work very well with Windows 8.
I like how clean Microsoft decided to leave it, which makes for a very fluid app.

 

Even window snapping works very well in this app, one thing I noticed when you click one of the menu items it will expand the app to show a larger screen view and wont stay pinned to the side but over all a good feel.

 

As for the Lync 2013 Basic client, looks very much the same as the full client, IM, dial pad, voicemail preview. But there is a underneath change in the basic version of the client.

 

 

• Advanced call features; 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
• Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

I could see this version being used on "Home" computers or laptops for basic Lync 2013 functionality for IM and voice. The Basic client can be downloaded from

 

64-bit http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35450

32-bit http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35451

 

 

 

Lync Server 2013 RTM now available to MSDN, Technet and Partners

Good Afternoon,

I apologies for the scattered posts, I have been busy on a few large scale projects which haven't left a lot of time for posting! BUT, I did notice today a great piece of information.

 

Lync, Exchange, SharePoint and Office 2013 RTM products are now available via TechNet, MSDN and Partner downloads. So as I mentioned in an earlier post regarding the new MCSE certifications for the new wave of products, this shows we are very close to world wide offering of Lync Server 2013 and its related certifications.


Also, I have finished building my new lab as my old one died a few months back. I will be getting back on track with some exciting posts on Lync Server 2013. Including Edge configurations, persistent chat, and Hybrid Voice configurations with Office 365!

October 2012 Updates Released for Lync Server 2010

The Microsoft Lync team has released the October 2012 updates for Lync Server 2010, below is information on the updates and link to download them.

The update installer can be downloaded from here (Lync Server 2010) Please see below for installation details.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=11551

Lync 2010 Client update can be downloaded from here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2737155

Lync 2010 Attendee – Administrator level installation can be download from here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2752160

Lync 2010 Attendee – User level installation can be download from here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2752157


 Description of the updates and the KB articles can be found here
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=2493736

Also note when updating your Lync environment as most updates require updating your CsDatabase as described at the bottom of this support page http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=2493736

New Microsoft 2013 Lync, Exchange and SharePoint Exams Posted

Just a quick update for the ones that haven't been on the Microsoft Learning website.

The new Lync 2013, Exchange 2013 and SharePoint 2013 exams have been posted on the Learning site.

The new exams will require you to be a MCSA: Windows Server 2012 by either taking exam 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412. or if you have an upgradeable MCITP you can take the 70-417, you can read more about the MCSA upgrade here.

As for the new 2013 exams, here is the information I have gathered for everyone as a quick reference.

Lync Server 2013 exams 70-336 and 70-337 are currently in development, and expected to be published November 06, 2012!!

 

You can find out more including all skills measured on the Microsoft Learning site.

Exchange Server 2013 exams 70-341 and 70-342 are currently in development, and expected to be published January 31, 2013.

 

For more details on the Exchange 2013 exams, you can find them on the Microsoft Learning site.

And finally the new SharePoint Server 2013 exams 70-331 and 70-332 are also still in development and are scheduled for release the name time as Exchange 2013 January 31, 2013.

And here is the site link for SharePoint Server 2013 on Microsoft Learning.


So it looks like us Lync Pros will get a taste of the new certifications in November!! I have been waiting for them to publish this information, and I personally will be writing the 2 Lync Server 2013 exams very close after the November 06 release! but from now to then need to upgrade to my MCSA: Server 2012 by writing my 70-417!


Good luck to everyone writing exams, and the dedication to the Microsoft ecosystem. Microsoft does throw us hurdles to jump over but that's what makes our jobs much more interesting!


October 25 2012 Update

I noticed while browsing at the certifications for Lync and Exchange, on the 70-341 and 70-342 they specify a "around" release date on the Overview page. As noted on the learning page "The beta of this exam (71-341) is testing on Microsoft Exchange 2013 Customer Preview. The live exam testing Exchange 2013 RTM will be released around January 15, 2013."

The Lync exams don't specify anything like this, but would be safe to assume Lync is on a similar path.