Unified Communications by Yann Espanet

If you are currently certified on the UC Voice Specialization or plan to be, be aware that an updated version of the Voice Specialization Exam 74-924 will be available en of June this year.

This exam is designed to validate that candidates have the skills to design, deploy, and administer Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Release 2 (R2). Candidates should have experience with interoperability between Office Communications Server 2007 R2, Office Communications Server 2007, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Unified Messaging, and Active Directory Domain Services. Candidates should also have experience with network infrastructure components that support the deployment and ongoing management of Office Communications Server 2007 R2.

You can have more details on the Microsoft’s official page concerning this test:

Exam 74-404: Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 – U.C. Voice Specialization

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Exam.aspx?ID=74-404&Locale=en-us#tab3

It’s highly recommended to attend the following three days Course 50232A: Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Ignite !

Course 50232A: Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Ignite

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=50232A&Locale=en-us

You can also use the Microsoft Office Communications Server R2 – Training Portal to find some useful resources to prepare for this hard exam!

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/training/ocs.aspx

You will have a global view of Office Communications Server 2007 R2 traffic flow between component like : IM and Presence, Conferencing, Application Sharing, and Enterprise Voice.
You can see the different server roles, the needs in term of server certificate, and also the firewall and DNS configuration requirements.

Ref :

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=AF2C17CB-207C-4C52-8811-0ACA6DFADC94&displaylang=en

The Deployment Validation Tool allows you to perform automated testing of calls between agents that are Office Communications Server 2007 R2 clients. It is included with Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Resource Kit Tools, available as a free download at the Microsoft Download Center at :
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=145159

You can find the technet page here :

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd572350(office.13).aspx

And watch this video from the Microsoft Technet Chopstick :

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”

 ——————————————————————————————–

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 !

Youtube OCS R2 Video Channel

Prepare the Office Communications Server R2 Virtual Launch Experience by downloading whitepaper and watching videos on new functionallities.

Whitepaper for the launch event :

• Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Quick Reference for Communications Server 2007 R2 Attendant
• Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Attendant Deployment Guide

Technical overview of the changes :

• OCS 2007 R2 RTM Planning Workbook
  This Planning Workbook is intended to document the recommended roll-out of Microsoft® Office Communications Server 2007 R2 in an enterprise-level lab or production environment. This document’s purpose is to provide enterprise customers and deployment partners a method to begin planning for their Office Communications Server 2007 R2 deployment.

Technical Guides :

• Mobile :
  • Quick Reference Card for Communicator Mobile 2007 R2
  • The 2007 R2 Version of Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile for Windows Mobile Getting Started Guide
  • The 2007 R2 Version of Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile for Windows Mobile: Frequently Asked Questions
• Communicator :
  • Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Deployment Guide
  • Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Getting Started Guide
  • Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Quick Reference Card for Conferencing
  • Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Quick Reference Card for Contact Management, Presence, and IM
  • Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Quick Reference Card for Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Quick Reference Card for Phone and Video
  • Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Testing and Troubleshooting Guide
• Web Access :
  • Microsoft Office Communicator Web Access 2007 R2 Quick Reference Card
• Conferencing :
  • Deploying the Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007 Client with Office Communications Server 2007 R2
  • Getting Started with the Microsoft Office Live Meeting Client for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2
  • Meeting Client for Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Testing and Troubleshooting Guide
  • Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Quick Reference for Dial-in Conferencing
  • Microsoft Office Live Meeting Quick Reference for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2
• Group Chat :
  • Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Client Group Policy Settings
  • Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Group Chat Getting Started Guide
  • Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Group Chat Planning and Deployment Guide
  • Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Group Chat Quick Reference Card
  • Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Group Chat Testing and Troubleshooting Guide
  • Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Group Chat What’s New Guide
• Release Notes :
  • Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Release Notes

The MCM certification stand for Microsoft Certified Master, it sit between the MCTIP and the top level MCA Microsoft Certified Architect.

The Master certification is now a pre-requisite for beeing a Microsoft Certified Architect’s (Database,Messaging, Directory Services) is anyone can apply; you don’t need to be from Microsoft or a Partner.

Exam 088-924 – Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 – UC Voice Specialization count for Microsoft partner who want to have the Unified Communications Competence Speciality or individual that want to try the cursus Microsoft Certified Master : Office Communications Server 2007.

You must have the following exams below completed in order to qualify for the Microsoft Certified Master: Office Communications Server 2007.

• Exam 70-638 – MCTS: Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, Configuring
• Exam 088-924 – Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 – UC Voice Specialization*
• Exam 70-294 – Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure     OR Exam 70-640 - MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
• Exam 70-297 – Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
     OR Exam 70-642 – MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring

Attending the Unified Communications Voice Ignite workshop is recommended as preparation for Exam 088-924 (available in fall 2008). Voice Ignite attendance is based on workshop availability . You must complete the following prerequisites, which are both available online, before attending:

• Exchange Unified Messaging Power-Up workshop
• Office Communications Server 2007 Ignite workshop

 After that, you must fill an online form and follow this steps :

• 3 weeks of mandatory training : One 2-week block, one 1-week block (can choose to consume all together or not)
• Core technical content / sessions
• ‘Written’ exams
• Qualification Lab Test

 
What will it cost?

• Package: $18,500
  3 weeks of training
  3 written tests
  1 Qualification Lab
• You must paid the plane and three weeks of accomodation in Redmond to follow the training at Microsoft premises.
• Retakes
  Written tests: $250 each
  Lab Test: $1,500

In conclusion, becoming a Certified Master is a really a long and costly path, but like Microsoft said : “It’s Always better to be a master” ask to Yoda, he knows why !

More information here : http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master/OCS/default.mspx