Operating System Requirements for Servers Running Lync Server 2010
Servers running any of the following Lync Server 2010 server roles must run a 64-bit edition operating system:
| Each server must run a 64-bit edition of the following operating systems:
|
Hardware Support for Servers Running Lync Server 2010
The following table describes the recommended minimum hardware for all servers where you plan to install Lync Server 2010.
| Hardware component | Minimum requirement |
| CPU | One of the following: • 64-bit dual processor, quad-core, 2.0 gigahertz (GHz) or higher • 64-bit 4-way processor, dual-core, 2.0 GHz or higher |
| Memory | 16 gigabytes (GB) recommended |
| Disk | Local storage with at least 72 GB free disk space on a 10,000 RPM disk drive |
| Network | 2 network adapters, each 1 gigabits per second (Gbps) |
Database Server Requirements
In addition to these server roles, a Lync Server deployment also includes database servers. These include a back-end database, an archiving database, and a monitoring database. For these databases, the following software is supported:
- The 64-bit edition of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 with SP1 Enterprise database software
- The 64-bit edition of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express (for Standard Edition server only; it is automatically installed by Lync Server 2010 on each Standard Edition server)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition with Service Pack 3 (SP3) or the 64-bit edition of SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition with SP3
Hardware Support for Database Servers: Recommendations for Back End Servers and Other Database Servers
The following table describes the recommended minimum hardware for database servers in a Lync Server Enterprise Edition deployment. Although they host their own Lync Server database, Standard Edition servers use the hardware recommendations in the “Hardware Recommendations for Servers Running Lync Server 2010” Table.
These recommendations apply to servers hosting back-end databases, Monitoring Server databases, and Archiving Server databases.
| Hardware component | Minimum requirement |
| CPU | One of the following: • 64-bit dual processor, quad-core, 2.0 gigahertz (GHz) or higher • 64-bit 4-way processor, dual-core, 2.0 GHz or higher |
| Memory | 32 GB recommended for back-end server (with or without collocated Archiving and Monitoring databases), 16 GB recommended for Archiving and Monitoring database (not collocated with the Back End Server) |
| Disk | Local storage with at least 72 GB free disk space on a 10,000 RPM disk drive |
| Network | 2 network adapters, 1 Gbps each |
Client Software Requirements
This section summarizes the software support for the following Lync Server 2010 clients:
- Microsoft Lync 2010
- Online Meeting Add-in for Microsoft Lync 2010
- Microsoft Lync 2010 Attendee
- Microsoft Lync 2010 Attendant
Operating Systems Requirements
Supported operating systems for these clients include the following:
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
- Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3 (SP3)
Other Software Requirements
Browser and Operating System Combinations for Microsoft Lync 2010, Online Meeting Add-in for Microsoft Lync 2010, and Microsoft Lync 2010 Attendee. Lync Web App supports specific combinations of operating systems and browsers. The following table lists the various combinations.
| Operating System | Internet Explorer 8 | Internet Explorer 7 | Internet Explorer 6 | Firefox 3.X | Safari 5.X | Safari 4.X |
| Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | |
| Windows Vista SP2 (32-bit and 64-bit) | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | — |
| Windows XP SP3 (32-bit) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — |
| Windows XP SP2 (64-bit) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | — |
| Windows Server 2003 (except IA-64) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — | — |
| Windows Server 2000 SP4 | — | — | Yes | Yes | — | — |
| Mac OS 10.4.8+ (Intel-based) | — | — | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
- Microsoft Silverlight Microsoft Silverlight browser plug-in version 4.0 is required for Lync 2010, the Online Meeting Add-in for Lync 2010, and Lync Web App.
- Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 To install Lync 2010 Attendant, the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 must already be installed. Install Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
- Microsoft Office Lync Server 2010 clients support integration with various versions of Microsoft Office:
- The Microsoft Outlook 2010 messaging and collaboration client and Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 are required for the full set of new Outlook integration features in Lync 2010.
- Certain Lync 2010 integration features are supported on Microsoft Office 2007 and Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (SP3). For integration with Office 2007 to work correctly, you may have to install an update to Outlook 2007. For details about the Outlook update, "Description of the 2007 Office hotfix package" (KB article 936864).
- The Online Meeting Add-in for Lync 2010 is supported with Microsoft Office 2003, Microsoft Office 2007, and Microsoft Office 2010.
Hardware Support for Lync Server 2010 Clients
This section describes the recommended hardware for Lync Server 2010 clients.
| Hardware component | Minimum requirement |
| CPU | Intel Pentium 4, AMD Athlon 64, or equivalent Data and voice: 1.6 gigahertz (GHz) or higher processor, 2 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor (recommended) For video: Dual Core 1.9 GHz processor or higher for VGA, Quad Core 2.0 GHz or higher for high definition For the Microsoft RoundTable conferencing device: 2 GHz processor or higher |
| Memory | On Windows XP: 1 gigabyte (GB) of RAM On Windows Vista or Windows 7: 2 GB of RAM |
| Display resolution | 1024x768 required |
| Graphics hardware | • Support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 application programming interface (API) • 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum) • Windows Display Driver Model driver • Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware • 32 bits per pixel |
| Telephony | Microphone and speakers, headset with microphone, or equivalent device Recommended: Microsoft unified communications (UC) device, or a phone running Microsoft Lync 2010 Phone Edition |
| Video source | USB 2.0 video camera or RoundTable device |
| Network | Voice: • Peer-to-peer: 40 kbps (minimum); 60 kbps (typical); 90 kbps (maximum) • Conferencing: 40 kbps (minimum); 95 kbps (typical); 160 kbps (maximum) • Media bypass: 80 kbps (minimum); 95 kbps (typical); 160 kbps (maximum) Video: • CIF: 50 kbps (minimum); 210 kbps (typical); 250 kbps (maximum) • VGA: 350 kbps (minimum); 500 kbps (typical); 600 kbps (maximum) • High definition: 800 kbps (minimum); 1.2 Mbps (typical); 1.5 Mbps (maximum) • RoundTable device: 50 kbps (minimum); 280 kbps (typical); 350 kbps (maximum) Data: • Web conferencing (PSOM): 20 kbps (minimum); 200 kbps (typical); 500 kbps (maximum) • File Transfer: 20 kbps (minimum); 200 kbps (typical); 200 kbps (maximum) • Application Sharing: 256 kbps (minimum); 1 Mbps (typical); 3.5 Mbps (maximum) Typical bandwidth values are measurements of typical activity levels under good network conditions (for example, with no forward error correction, or FEC). This value can be used for capacity planning to assess if a network is provisioned appropriately. The values are cumulative. For example, for a conference call with audio, Common Intermediate Format (CIF) video, and panoramic video, an appropriately provisioned network would provide a bandwidth speed of 585 Kbps (95+210+280=585 Kbps). |
Recommended Hardware for Microsoft Lync 2010 Attendant:
| Hardware component | Minimum requirement |
| CPU | Intel Pentium 4, AMD Athlon 64, or equivalent Data and voice: 1 GHz or larger processor. Support for 32-bit and 64-bit For the Microsoft RoundTable conferencing device: 2 GHz processor or higher |
| Memory | On Windows XP: 1 GB of RAM On Windows Vista or Windows 7: 2 GB of RAM |
| Display resolution | Required: Super VGA 1024 x 768 Recommended: Super VGA 1280 x 1024 or higher |
| Hard drive | At least 100 MB free |
| Telephony | Microphone and speakers, headset with microphone, or equivalent device Recommended: Microsoft UC device, or a phone running Microsoft Lync 2010 Phone Edition |
| Bandwidth requirements | Voice: 50 kbps (minimum); 80 kbps (high-quality) RoundTable device (for audio): 50 kbps (minimum); 350 kbps (high-quality) |
Required Lync Server 2010 Components for Devices
Before you deploy UC phones, ensure that the following required Lync Server 2010 components are in place.
Web Services
The Device Update service, which is an automated way to update your IP phones, is installed with Web Services, on the Front End Server
Enterprise Voice
Enterprise Voice is the voice over IP (VoIP) solution in Lync Server 2010 that allows users to make calls and use rich communication and collaboration features, such as viewing enhanced presence information or location information for contacts in your organization’s address book.
Contact Objects
(Applies to Common area phones and analog devices only) Phones that are not associated with a specific user must be associated with an Active Directory contact object. Like user accounts, contact objects can be assigned policies and voice plans, thereby giving you a way to manage the device.
Dial Plans, Voice Polices, and Outbound Call Routes
Dial plans, voice polices, and call routes must be set up for users. Dial plans are named sets of normalization rules that translate phone numbers for a named location, individual user, or contact object into a single standard (E.164) format, allowing UC device users to make calls to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Voice policies are records that define call permissions for users, sites, or an entire organization and include various calling features that may be enabled or disabled as appropriate. Voice policies must be set up for device users. Call routes are rules that specify how Lync Server 2010 handles outbound calls from UC devices.
PIN Authentication and Policy
If you’re deploying phones from the new line of IP phones, you must enable personal identification number (PIN) authentication on Lync Server, and an appropriate PIN policy need to be in place. This allows authentication to be automatic when a user signs in on an Aastra 6721ip, Polycom CX600, Polycom CX500, or Polycom CX3000 phone.
Hardware Support for Lync Server 2010 Devices
IP phones running Microsoft Lync 2010 Phone Edition support Link Layer Discovery Protocol-Media Endpoint Discovery (LLDP-MED) and Power over Ethernet (PoE). To take advantage of LLDP-MED, the switch must support IEEE802.1AB and ANSI/TIA-1057. To take advantage of PoE, the switch must support PoE802.3AF or 802.3at.
To enable LLDP-MED, the administrator must enable LLDP by using the switch console window and set the LLDP-MED network policy with the correct voice VLAN ID.
In addition, if your deployment includes analog devices, you must configure the analog gateway to use Microsoft Lync Server 2010, and the gateway must be one of the following:
- An analog telephone adapter (ATA)
- A SIP-PSTN analog gateway
- A Survivable Branch Appliance that includes a SIP-PSTN analog gateway
- A Survivable Branch Appliance that includes a SIP-PSTN gateway that communicates with an ATA
Port Requirements
IP phones use port 443 for the Device Update service.
DNS Requirements
The following table lists the required DNS records for IP Phones and external devices.
| Type | Value | Note |
| A | Fully qualified domain names (FQDNs) for the pool(s) hosting the Enhanced Registrars | The new Lync Server 2010 DNS load balancing feature requires you to specify the server FQDN and the pool FQDN, using the same IP address, for each server in the pool and to create A records for all pools that contain an Enhanced Registrar. For example: RegistrarServerOneInPool. If you are using hardware load balancing, just specify A records for each pool that contains an Enhanced Registrar. Allows external devices to connect by using SIP over TLS to the Enhanced Registrar internally. |
| SRV | _sipinternal._tcp. | Specifies the two SIP FQDNs for internal routing, one for communications over TCP, and one for TCP communications secured by TLS. |
| A | ucupdates-r2. | Specifies the Web Services portion of the Device Update services URL. The device appends “:443/RequestHandler/ucdevice.upx”. Make sure the HLB translates external requests to use “:443/RequestHandler/ucdevice.upx.” (The external port is 443.) |
