Unified Communications by Yann Espanet

With the Microsoft Unified Communications Virtual Experience, you can see first-hand how Microsoft’s Unified Communications solution can help you harness the power of software to streamline communications between people anytime, anywhere, free for 60-days.

NB : Use AALL in the company name if you want to test it with me !

See how it works

By registering for the Unified Communications Virtual Experience, you’ll discover how you can:

• Gain the power to connect with the right person, right now from within familiar, easy-to-use Microsoft Office applications—with one click
• Bring people together quickly and easily—anytime, anywhere
• Break down communication silos—whether people are down the hall, across continents, or constantly on the road

You can download Exchange Server 2010 Release Candidate to the Microsoft Download Center!

This is the build number 14.00.0639.011 and you can download it from here :  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c6d27da1-ba2c-4570-a491-c0d7b39ede8b

This build is compatible with both Windows 2008 SP2 and Windows 2008 R2 (from RC1 through to RTM). As we changed the store schema between the Exchange Beta and RC, there’s no in-place upgrade from the Beta release. However, we will support in-place upgrade from the Release Candidate through to the final RTM build.

Extract from “Paul Bowden – Release Manager – Exchange Server”

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Here’s a quick start guide to get you up and running as quickly as possible with the new build:

Windows 2008

1.       Install Windows Server 2008 x64 (Standard or Enterprise – but not Core or Web Server) and join the appropriate domain

2.       Install Service Pack 2 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd262148.aspx

3.       Install .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ab99342f-5d1a-413d-8319-81da479ab0d7

4.       Install the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Update from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=98E83614-C30A-4B75-9E05-0A9C3FBDD20D

5.       Install the combined PowerShell v2/Windows Remote Management package (Windows 6.0-KB968930.msu) from https://connect.microsoft.com/windowsmanagement/Downloads/DownloadDetails.aspx?DownloadID=21268

6.       For Hub Transport and/or Mailbox roles, install the Office Filter Pack from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=60C92A37-719C-4077-B5C6-CAC34F4227CC

7.       Open a command prompt, and use the installation scripts from the \Scripts sub-folder on the installation media to enable operating system components:

a.       For a typical installation of Client Access, Hub Transport, and the Mailbox role, run:

• ServerManagerCmd –ip <media>\Scripts\Exchange-Typical.xml

a.       For a Client Access role only, enter:

• ServerManagerCmd –ip <media>\Scripts\Exchange-CAS.xml

b.      For a Hub Transport role, enter:

• ServerManagerCmd –ip <media>\Scripts\Exchange-Hub.xml

c.       For a Mailbox role, enter:

• ServerManagerCmd –ip <media>\Scripts\Exchange-MBX.xml

d.      For a Unified Messaging role, enter:

• ServerManagerCmd –ip <media>\Scripts\Exchange-UM.xml

e.      For an Edge Transport role, enter:

• ServerManagerCmd –ip <media>\Scripts\Exchange-Edge.xml

8.       For Client Access server roles, run “sc config NetTcpPortSharing start= auto” from a command-prompt

9.       Restart the computer

10.   Run the Setup.exe program from the Exchange 2010 download package

Windows 2008 R2

1.       Install Windows Server 2008 R2 (Standard or Enterprise – but not Core, Web Server or Foundation Server) and join the appropriate domain

2.       For Hub Transport and/or Mailbox roles, install the Office Filter Pack from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=60C92A37-719C-4077-B5C6-CAC34F4227CC

3.       Open a Windows PowerShell console window from the Accessories menu

4.       Enter “Import-Module ServerManager” and press return

5.       Use the Add-WindowsFeature cmdlet to enable operating system components:

a)      For a typical installation of Client Access, Hub Transport, and the Mailbox role, enter:

• Add-WindowsFeature NET-Framework,RSAT-ADDS,Web-Server,Web-Basic-Auth,Web-Windows-Auth,Web-Metabase,Web-Net-Ext,Web-Lgcy-Mgmt-Console,WAS-Process-Model,RSAT-Web-Server,Web-ISAPI-Ext,Web-Digest-Auth,Web-Dyn-Compression,NET-HTTP-Activation,RPC-Over-HTTP-Proxy
• Set-Service NetTcpPortSharing -StartupType Automatic

b)      For a Client Access role only, enter:

• Add-WindowsFeature NET-Framework,RSAT-ADDS,Web-Server,Web-Basic-Auth,Web-Windows-Auth,Web-Metabase,Web-Net-Ext,Web-Lgcy-Mgmt-Console,WAS-Process-Model,RSAT-Web-Server,Web-ISAPI-Ext,Web-Digest-Auth,Web-Dyn-Compression,NET-HTTP-Activation,RPC-Over-HTTP-Proxy
• Set-Service NetTcpPortSharing -StartupType Automatic

c)       For a Hub Transport role or Mailbox role, enter:

• Add-WindowsFeature NET-Framework,RSAT-ADDS,Web-Server,Web-Basic-Auth,Web-Windows-Auth,Web-Metabase,Web-Net-Ext,Web-Lgcy-Mgmt-Console,WAS-Process-Model,RSAT-Web-Server

d)      For a Unified Messaging role, enter:

• Add-WindowsFeature NET-Framework,RSAT-ADDS,Web-Server,Web-Basic-Auth,Web-Windows-Auth,Web-Metabase,Web-Net-Ext,Web-Lgcy-Mgmt-Console,WAS-Process-Model,RSAT-Web-Server,Desktop-Experience

e)      For an Edge Transport role, enter:

• Add-WindowsFeature NET-Framework,RSAT-ADDS,ADLDS

6.       Restart the computer

7.       Run the Setup.exe program from the Exchange 2010 download package

Active Directory Configuration

a.       The schema master must be running a minimum of Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1

b.      The forest must be in Windows Server 2003 functionality mode (or later)

c.       All Exchange 2010 servers must be able to communicate with a global catalog server which is running Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (or later)

d.      Read-only domain controllers (RODC) are not supported with Exchange 2010

e.      We generally recommend that you install Exchange 2010 on member servers versus domain controllers. This helps to secure your installation

Enjoy your test !

Adam Glick from Microsoft demonstrates the newest Exchange 2010 features for Windows Mobile 6.1/6.5 :

Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 brings a new and rich set of technologies, features, and services to the Exchange Server product line. This topic lists many of the new features and functionality that are included in Exchange 2010. The list isn’t comprehensive; however, it provides important information to use when you’re planning, deploying, and administering your Exchange 2010 organization: 

• New Rights-Protected E-Mail Functionality with Active Directory RMS
• New Transport and Routing Functionality
• New Permissions Functionality
• New High Availability Functionality
• New Messaging Policy and Compliance Features
• New Outlook Web Access Features
• New Unified Messaging Features
• Web Management Interface
• New Exchange Core Store Functionality
• New Administration Functionality in the Exchange Management Console
• New Administration Functionality in the Exchange Management Shell

•Exchange 2010 Beta -

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=1898ed2c-2f88-48ac-824e-d3d20fad77d7

•Exchange 2010 Beta UM Language Packs -

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=3fdf49db-cb84-4dfe-8b8b-b30178b1a514

•Exchange 2010 Beta Language Pack Bundle -

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=3c0314ab-daa5-457f-8c61-c51182c38187

•EWS Managed API Beta -

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=a8c9d043-c66c-4971-9459-8d1df1608c8b

First, you will be able get the full rich experience with drag ‘n drop & AJAX interface with Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer. Same user experience with all webs brower ! and a new message conversation view to deal with a high amount of email in one scroll.

Second, you will be able to Instant messaging directly whit your contact in Outlook Live.
The IM function seems to be directly integrated into Exchange but don’t know what will be the integration with OCS ?

See the following video from Technet Edge to get a preview :