Category Archives: Updates

Lync 2013 Client and Server July 2013 Cumulative Updates Released

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The July 2013 cumulative updates for both server and client (CU2) are now available for download. This update delivers the following new features:

  • IM Mute
  • Question and Answer (Q&A) Capability in Meetings (remember this from Live Meeting?)
  • Inline Images within IMs (so you can paste photos straight into Lync)
  • Meetings Tab (so you can see your Lync meetings from directly in the client)

Richard Brynteson does a great job of showing these new features including screenshots.

You can download your flavour (e.g. 32-bit or 64-bit) of the client here and the server side bits here.

One thing to note when updating the server side if you have database mirroring configured. Previously you needed to break the mirroring for the Application databases (CPS, RGS) and recreate them after the database update was applied. This is no longer necessary in CU2.

Update 14.0.5 for Lync for Mac 2011 Released – More Voice Enhancements

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Whilst I was away at TechEd North America, another new update for Lync for Mac 2011 was announced by Microsoft, further closing the gap between the Windows and Mac clients.

The big-hitting improvements I’ve identified are:

  • Visual voicemail in the Phone tab.
  • Client recording notification (you’ll see a “Others are recording” notification when someone else starts recording the call or conference).
  • Delegate (boss/admin) functionality (no team-call group control yet though).
  • Call history is now displayed in addition to IM history within the Conversation History window.
  • Local ringback tone for outgoing PSTN calls.

I haven’t had a chance to download and install this update yet (combination of now running Windows 8 on my MacBook Air and getting a Surface Pro), but will write up a full First Look post when I get a chance.

Further information and examples of new functionality are available on Nexthop and you can download it directly from Microsoft Support.

Sonus SBC 1000/2000 3.0 Software Released

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Sonus have released the long awaited version 3.0 of software for their SBC 1000/2000 (formerly NET UX 1000/2000) series of Lync gateways/SBAs.

This new version includes a load of new features like branch survivability using 3G/4G (this is the new Remote Branch Appliance specification), lots of WebUI usability changes, call forking/forwarding enhancements and lots of bug fixes. It’s also the first version to be re-branded from the NET look and feel to Sonus colours in the WebUI.

SIP Licensing Changes

Another important change is how SIP licenses are allocated to SBC 1000/2000 devices now. When you buy an SBC with a TDM module, you will no longer require or receive SIP licenses with the TDM card. If you require SIP-SIP licenses, you will need to purchase them separately. If you have any SIP licences provided with TDM cards today, you will be able to retain them. You’ll need to coordinate a new license file from Sonus through your support/distributor. Note that SIP calls between Sonus devices (VX, UX, SBC) do not consume a SIP license.

Upgrade Process

The upgrade process for this version is a bit more involved than previous versions of code, requiring an upgrade to the base image in addition to the firmware upgrade. See the SBC 1000-2000 3.0 Upgrade Notes for further details. If you’re using the SBA component, there is a separate step also that you need to consider.

For further information on this software release and the SIP license changes, check out the SBC 1000/2000 3.0 Release Notes.

Lync Phone Edition April 2013 Cumulative Update Released

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The April 2013 cumulative update for Lync Phone Edition (LPE) has been made available by Microsoft, fixing a number of bugs in the software:

  • Exchange UM-disabled user cannot check call logs on an Aries or Tanjay telephone that is running Lync Phone Edition.
  • Message waiting indicator light on an Aries telephone that is running Lync Phone Edition doesn’t turn off after a user plays all unopened voice mail.
  • “Music on hold” feature doesn’t work for Lync Phone Edition for an Aries telephone when an audio file is configured.
  • Lync Phone Edition endpoints configured with hot desk Common Area Phone (CAP) accounts may hang intermittently when LPE automatically signs out the logged in user after the configured period of inactivity.

This handy table shows which phones this update applies to, the updated version number, the KB article for each and a download link.

 Product  Version

Download

KB
Lync Phone Edition for Aastra 6721ip and Aastra 6725ip 4.0.7577 4387

2819315

2819315
Lync Phone Edition for HP 4110 and HP 4120 4.0.7577 4387

2819320

2819320
Lync Phone Edition for Polycom CX500, Polycom CX600 and Polycom CX3000 4.0.7577 4387

2819322

2819322
Lync Phone Edition for Polycom CX700 and LG-Nortel IP Phone 8540 4.0.7577 4387

2819325

2819325

Note that there is no differentiation between Lync 2010 and Lync 2013 Phone Edition – the software is just “Lync Phone Edition” now and works on both Lync 2010 and Lync 2013.

Lync Server 2013 February 2013 Cumulative Update Released

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In the follow up to the February 2013 updates for Lync 2013 (the client), Microsoft has today released the first Cumulative Update for the server side of the product.

This update is huge, because it delivers important post-RTM features:

  • Group Call Pickup. A much requested feature that allows users to pickup the ringing phones of other users. This is a feature a lot of PBXs provide today.
  • Location-Based Routing. This allows an administrator to force outbound PSTN calls for particular users out particular PSTN gateways. This is mostly a VoIP regulatory feature for particular geographies, but a good explanation of this from the conference is posted here.
  • The big one – Lync 2013 Mobility! The new Lync 2013 mobile clients require this CU to be able to work (once they’re publicly available).

You just need the LyncServerUpdateInstaller.exe to update each Lync Server 2013 server. Remember to do the backend database update! 

Note: If you have an Enterprise Edition pool deployed with mirrored backend servers, be aware that you need to break and recreate the mirror relationship as part of installing the database update.

You can download the update here and view the corresponding KB article explaining what’s fixed also. Happy patching!

More Updated Tools

In addition, Microsoft have also delivered:

All in all, it’s a huge day for Lync coming off the announcements at the conference last week. Can’t wait for the new mobile clients to come!

Lync 2013 February 2013 Cumulative Update Released

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February brings the first cumulative update for Lync 2013 since release. This update includes the following improvements on the RTM code:

  • Enables users to hide offline contacts in the contact list.
  • Enables users to receive buddy invites from untrusted networks.
    Note This option is available under Alerts in Lync Options.
  • Improves the support for high dots per inch (DPI) displays, for Microsoft Narrator, and for other accessibility features.
  • Fixes bugs that are related to Location sharing and settings.
  • Fixes bugs that are related to Tabbed Conversations.
  • Enables participants to join online meetings by dialing out to their telephone number if online meetings are scheduled by a non-audio-enabled Lync 2013 user.
  • Improves the handling of devices that have both a front-facing and rear-facing camera.
  • Improves the user experience when you join a Lync meeting in a Lync Room System-enabled room.

KB article detailing more info and download links here.

Note that you must install two files for this to be applied – the Lyncloc and Msores packages. This patch is only for the Lync 2013 client. Lync Server 2013 updates are not yet available.

By the way, I hope everyone has an awesome time at the Lync Conference in San Diego next week. I unfortunately won’t be able to attend, so have a beer for me. 🙂

Update 14.0.4 for Lync for Mac 2011 Released – Now makes ALL USB audio devices work

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Here it is. A public release of an update for Lync for Mac 2011 that supports all USB devices that have Optimised for Lync stickers on them. This means you can go and download it yourself without calling Microsoft Support and start using your Jabra headsets, Plantronics speakerphones and any other Optimised for Lync device you have. Great news for a Friday!

In case you were wondering, here’s the list of Phones and Devices Qualified for Lync that you can now use.

This update also fixes some video, desktop sharing and sign-in issues.

For further information and to download the update, check out the Microsoft KB article.

December 2012 Updates Released for Lync Phone Edition

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Today, Microsoft announced long awaited updates to Lync Phone Edition (LPE). These are the first updates to LPE after the release of Lync Server 2013, and now include music on hold on the device.

Also worth noting is that no longer is a version (2010 or 2013) attached to these updates – they’re now just “Lync Phone Edition” in that they work with both Lync 2010 and Lync 2013.

Download Links

NET/Sonus UX 2.2 Firmware Released

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NET/Sonus have released version 2.2 of firmware for their UX1000/UX2000 series of gateways/SBAs.

This new version includes a load of new features like VLAN Support, SIP Message Manipulation, DHCP Server Functionality, Dynamic Routing, Ping and Traceroute Support, DIFFServ DSCP Support and Port Mirroring among a load of others. In addition to these features, over 160 bugs have been fixed in this release.

For more information and download links, check out the Release Notes.

UX Firmware and Lync Cumulative Update Compatibility

It’s also worth noting that NET/Sonus maintain a VX and UX Lync 2010 Cumulative Update Qualification Chart that outlines which version of UX firmware is qualified to interoperate with each Lync 2010 Cumulative Update.

If you have UX gateways deployed, it’s probably best that you delay upgrading to this version of UX firmware and Cumulative Update 7 until they are both qualified to work with each other.

Cumulative Update 7 (CU7) for Lync Server 2010 Released

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CU7 for Lync Server 2010 has arrived! This update is mostly bug fixes for client side problems, however there are two new Monitoring Server Reports in this update – a Media Quality Comparison Report and a Call Leg Media Quality Report.

Download links are below. Make sure you patch all your Lync servers and clients ASAP.

Server Update:

  • Updates for Lync Server. You just need the LyncServerUpdateInstaller.exe to update each server. Download here and view the corresponding KB article explaining what’s fixed.
    Remember to do the backend database update!

Client Updates:

  • Update for Lync 2010 Client (64-bit) download here.
  • Update for Lync 2010 Client (32-bit) download here.
  • Update for Lync 2010 Attendee Client download here.

Once you’re done patching, Lync will show build number 4.0.7577.4356.

Happy patching!