provision-mode
Section: startup
Default Value: manual
Valid Values: auto, manual
Changes Take Effect: Startup only
Introduced: 9.0.000.xx
Defines the provisioning mode the Connector will use for communication with the Skype for Business Server:
- auto—Auto-provisioning mode of work is used.
- manual—Manual provisioning mode of work is used.
For more information about auto-provisioning mode, see Microsoft documentation.
Prerequisites
Contents
T-Server has a number of prerequisites for deployment. Read through this section before deploying T-Server for Skype for Business.
Microsoft recommends an Enterprise Edition Skype for Business pool for use with contact centers.
The Standard Edition server is designed for small organizations, and for pilot projects of large organizations. It enables many of the features of Skype, and the necessary databases, to run on a single server. This enables you to have Skype functionality for a lower cost, but does not provide a true high-availability solution.
Standard Edition server enables you to use instant messaging (IM), presence, conferencing, and Enterprise Voice, all running on one server. For a high-availability solution, use Skype Enterprise Edition. Thus, contact centers and other mission-critical workloads will work on Standard Edition boxes but this solution is NOT recommended.
Enterprise Edition is recommended for the following reasons:
- High-Availability and Disaster Recovery features are only available on Enterprise Edition. Contact center agents and the Application itself can be deployed redundantly in the form of a paired pool on Enterprise Edition for Disaster Recovery. Additionally, if a Front End server is taken out of service, other Front End servers will balance the load.
- Performance/Expansion—Enterprise Edition pools can be scaled up and down by adding or removing Front End servers.
Genesys cannot guarantee any performance level on a Standard Edition platform.
Software Requirements
T-Server supports UCMA 5.0 and UCMA 6.0 with Skype for Business.
- Ensure you have installed UCMA Runtime.
- For UCMA 5.0 support, you must ensure that you have installed the Skype for Business Server and applied the latest Microsoft Cumulative server updates as well as the latest UCMA 5.0 Runtime updates. See the following pages for more information:
- For UCMA 6.0 support, you must ensure that you have installed the Skype for Business Server and applied the latest Microsoft Cumulative server updates as well as the latest UCMA 6.0 Runtime updates. See the following pages for more information:
- The Workspace Plugin for Skype for Business uses 32-bit dlls. So, you must install the 32-bit Microsoft Office Skype for Business client. The 64-bit Microsoft Office Skype for Business Client is not supported.
- Review Microsoft Patching Policy.
- Review DNS Requirements.
- UCMA Connector supports two modes: provision-mode. If you use the auto-provisioning mode, complete the Activating an auto-provisioned application procedure on the host where the Connector will be running. See Microsoft documentation for details:
- Skype for Business: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn466123(v=office.16).aspx
Genesys Components
You can only configure T-Server after you have deployed the Configuration Layer of Genesys Framework. This layer contains Configuration Server, the Configuration Database, and Genesys Administrator (or Configuration Manager). If you intend to monitor or control T-Server through the Management Layer, you must also install and configure components of this Framework layer, such as Local Control Agent (LCA), Database Access Point (DAP), Message Server, Log Database, and Solution Control Server (SCS) before deploying T-Server.
Refer to the Management Framework Deployment Guide for information about, and deployment instructions for these Framework components.
Recommended minimum versions of Genesys components:
- SIP Server 8.1.102.62+
- URS 8.1.3+
- ORS 8.1.3+
- Stat Server 8.1.2+
- GVP 8.5.1+
Microsoft Patching Policy
Skype for Business Server Updates
Microsoft delivers patches and updates for these components in Cumulative Update packages that must be manually downloaded and applied.
- Genesys installs and tests all Cumulative Update packages to ensure they are fully compatible with a Genesys deployment. Each Cumulative Update will be explicitly documented.
- Genesys recommends that customers do not apply Cumulative Updates for Skype for Business before Genesys has completed their tests and has approved these Cumulative Updates.
Skype for Business Server 2019 Cumulative Update Status
Genesys has tested and approved the following Skype for Business Server Cumulative Update (CU) versions:
| CU Version | Release Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 7.0.2046.385 | December 2021 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 7.0.2046.369 | May 2021 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 7.0.2046.367 | March 2021 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 7.0.2046.252 | February 2021 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 7.0.2046.248 | November 2020 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 7.0.2046.244 | September 2020 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 7.0.2046.236 | July 2020 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 7.0.2046.216 | March 2020 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 7.0.2046.151 | December 2019 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 7.0.2046.143 | September 2019 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 7.0.2046.123 | July 2019 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
See this link for details and installation instructions: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4470124/updates-for-skype-for-business-server-2019.
Skype for Business Server 2015 Cumulative Update Status
Genesys has tested and approved the following Skype for Business Server Cumulative Update (CU) versions:
| CU Version | Release Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0. 9319.623 | February 2022 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 6.0.9319.619 | Aug 2021 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 6.0.9319.606 | May 2021 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 6.0.9319.601 | February 2021 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 6.0.9319.598 | November 2020 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 6.0.9319.591 | July 2020 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 6.0.9319.562 | August 2019 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 6.0.9319.556 | July 2019 | Approved with T-Server 9.0.001+ |
| 6.0.9319.548 | May 2019 | Approved with T-Server 8.5.001.65+ |
| 6.0.9319.544 | Mar 2019 | Approved with T-Server 8.5.001.65+ |
| 6.0.9319.534 | July 2018 | Approved with T-Server 8.5.001.65+ |
| 6.0.9319.516 | April 2018 | Approved with T-Server 8.5.001.49+ |
| 6.0.9319.510 | December 2017 | Approved with T-Server 8.5.001.49+ |
| 6.0.9319.281 | May 2017 | Approved with T-Server 8.5.001.02+ |
| 6.0.9319.277 | February 2017 | Approved with T-Server 8.5.001.02+ |
| 6.0.9319.272 | November 2016 | Approved with T-Server 8.5.001.02+ |
| 6.0.9319.259 | June 2016 | Approved with T-Server 8.5.001.02+ |
| 6.0.9319.102 | November 2015 | Approved |
See this link for details and installation instructions: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3061064.
Skype for Business Client Versions
For the Skype for Business client versions, Genesys recommends that customers follow their normal IT patching policies. The Skype for Business clients used in the Genesys testing environments are updated using the Microsoft Office Current Channel.
Microsoft Windows Updates and Security Patches
For regular Windows updates and security patches, Genesys recommends that customers follow their normal IT patching policies. These patches are applied on a weekly basis in the Genesys testing environments as they are delivered from Microsoft. If any patch is found to interfere with the normal operation of a Genesys deployment, then these issues will be documented.
Skype for Business DNS Requirements
Genesys Multimedia Connector for Skype for Business only has the following DNS requirement for proper operation:
- All hosts where Genesys Multimedia Connector for Skype for Business is deployed must be able to reach the Skype for Business Front End Pool and all Front End servers belonging to that pool.
- All Skype for Business Front End servers must be able to reach the FQDN of every host defined in the Skype for Business Trusted Application Pool used for the deployment of Skype for Business Multimedia Connector.
In order for Skype for Business to provide all services required by Skype for Business Multimedia Connector, all DNS prerequisites defined by Microsoft must be fulfilled. The following links provide useful information:
- https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn951397.aspx
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/plan-your-deployment/edge-server-deployments/advanced-edge-server-dns
- https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/praj/2016/10/14/skype-for-business-client-sign-in-call-flow-detailed/
Hardware Requirements
Both Skype for Business Server 2015 Enterprise Edition server roles and computers running the respective administrative tools require 64-bit hardware.
The specific hardware varies depending on the size and usage requirements.
For best performance, it is recommended to run Skype for Business Server 2015 Enterprise Edition on servers with hardware that meets the requirements described in Microsoft documentation below. Use of less powerful hardware may cause functionality issues or poor performance.
Minimum Hardware Requirements
T-Server for Skype for Business:
- 1 core CPU
- 4 GB memory
UCMA Connector:
- 6 core CPU
- 8 GB memory
SQL database size:
- Ensure that free disk space on Front End servers is at least twice the size of the local SQL database. This size can be estimated by looking at the size of the folder “<DeploymentDrive>:\CsData” on the Front End server.
Consult the following Microsoft guides for server hardware sizing:
- Skype for Business 2015— https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn951388.aspx
- Skype for Business 2019— https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/SkypeForBusiness/plan/system-requirements
Licensing Requirements
All Genesys software is licensed. Genesys products are protected through legal license conditions as part of your purchase contract. However, the level of technical license-control enforcement varies across different solutions and components.
T-Server for Skype for Business as all Genesys T-Servers uses License Manager for licensing. Connector does not need any additional licensing.
Before you begin to install T-Server, remember that, although you may not have had to use technical licenses for your software when you deployed the Configuration and Management Layers in their basic configurations, this is not the case with the Media Layer. T-Server requires seat-related DN technical licenses to operate even in its most basic configuration. Without appropriate licenses, you cannot install and start T-Server. If you have not already done so, Genesys recommends that you install License Manager and configure a license file at this point. For complete information on which products require what types of licenses, and on the installation procedure for License Manager, refer to the Genesys Licensing Guide.
Licensing HA Implementations
T-Servers operating with the hot standby redundancy type require a special CTI HA technical license, which allows for high-availability implementations, in addition to regular T-Server licenses. Neither T-Server in a redundant pair configured for hot standby starts if this license is unavailable. Moreover, the primary and backup T-Servers must use the same licenses to control the same pool of DNs. If your T-Servers are configured with the hot standby redundancy type, order licenses for CTI HA support.
Licensing Multi-Site Implementations
T-Servers/SIP Servers performing multi-site operations require licenses that allow for such operations, in addition to regular T-Server licenses. While T-Server for Skype for Business only performs multi-site operations with SIP Server, a Multi-Site license is still required in the deployment.