Skype for Business with a non-default SQL Server port

31st of July, 2019 / / No Comments

Today, security is more important than ever. Because of this, system administrators are constantly working to ensure their environments are as secure as they can be. Skype for Business Server and SQL Server are no exception, and some administrators immediately go to work changing SQL’s default ports after installing a new instance.

Is this supported?

Yes – running SQL server on non-default (1433) ports is supported by both Microsoft support, and Skype for Business server (both 2015 and 2019).… [Keep reading] “Skype for Business with a non-default SQL Server port”

Forward a Microsoft Teams Auto Attendant call to an external number

4th of March, 2019 / / 6 Comments

A number of customers I work with have a fairy simple inbound call flow process for their service desk.

During business hours, a call comes in and hits a queue that has a number of service desk agents assigned to it. The agent answers the call, and everything is honky-dory.

After business hours though, the call is forwarded to an external call handling service. Typically, this isn’t a major issue with most phone systems – you just route the call to an external number.… [Keep reading] “Forward a Microsoft Teams Auto Attendant call to an external number”

Managing Microsoft Teams Devices

22nd of February, 2019 / / No Comments

One of the coolest parts of the Office 365 Teams Admin Centre is the built in Devices management portal.

From here, you can view and control your deployed Microsoft Teams handsets, create and apply policies, firmware updates, and even reboot them.

The Dashboard

To access the dashboard, sign in to the Office 365 Portal, then choose Teams under Admin Centres.

From the menu on the left, choose Devices > Manage Devices

The dashboard will show you all Microsoft Teams devices that are registered to your Office 365 tenant.… [Keep reading] “Managing Microsoft Teams Devices”

Enabling Microsoft Teams Meeting Rooms

21st of February, 2019 / / 1 Comment

Enabling a meeting room within your organisation for Microsoft Teams is remarkably easy! In fact, the hardest decision you’ll need to make is which device you want to use within the room. Luckily, even this is made simple by using Microsoft’s offical Microsoft Teams Certified Devices List.

Alright, so you’ve chosen your in-room device, it’s been delivered, you’ve ripped the box open, thrown the plastic and packaging aside and connected the device to your PoE switch.… [Keep reading] “Enabling Microsoft Teams Meeting Rooms”

Analogue Devices and Microsoft Teams

30th of January, 2019 / / No Comments
Last week, I was working through a technical workshop with a customer who wanted to make the move to Microsoft Teams. We’d worked through the usual questions, and then the infamous question came: So .. are there any analogue devices still in use? “Yeah, about 50 handsets”. You’d be forgiven for thinking that analogue handsets were a thing of the past. However, much like the fax machine, there’s still a whole lot of love out there for them.… [Keep reading] “Analogue Devices and Microsoft Teams”

TLS 1.0 no longer supported in Office 365

1st of November, 2018 / / No Comments

Today’s the day. You can mark this one in your Outlook calendars – from October 31st 2018, TLS 1.0 is no longer supported in Office 365.

What does this mean? Well, if you’re using older versions of office, Lync Phone Edition handsets, or an older OS and you run into an issue connecting to the service, Office 365 support will no longer be able to help if the device does not support at least TLS 1.2

This does not mean that your older devices and programs will suddenly stop working.… [Keep reading] “TLS 1.0 no longer supported in Office 365”

Skype for Business 2019 or Microsoft Teams – Which should you move to

1st of November, 2018 / / No Comments

Last week, I presented a “how to” guide on the current 5 methods of moving from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams to a room of eager Government employees. The talk went well, everyone had great questions and the general feeling was of an energized bunch of people who were ready to walk back into their IT department and take a further look at Microsoft Teams.

From the many questions I received during the presentation, there was a question in particular that I found interesting, and pondered on the long drive home back to Sydney.… [Keep reading] “Skype for Business 2019 or Microsoft Teams – Which should you move to”

One month until TLS 1.0 support is removed from Office 365

2nd of October, 2018 / / 2 Comments

Not too long ago, I remember making the announcement at our user group that come October 31st, TLS 1.0 would no longer work in Office 365. “That’s ages away Craig!” was the cry from the audience. Well, in just under a months time, it’ll be upon us. The question is, are you ready?

What’s the deal with TLS 1.0 anyway?

Transport Layer Security version 1.0 is being removed as a supported secure protocol for connecting to Office 365.… [Keep reading] “One month until TLS 1.0 support is removed from Office 365”

Common Sonus SBC 1000/2000 Troubleshooting Tips

11th of September, 2018 / / No Comments

If you regularly work with Sonus 1000/2000 session boarder controllers, you may often be sat there scratching your head as to why a simple inbound call from ISDN to Skype for Business won’t ring your test handset.
Before you go and make yourself another cup of coffee and spin up LX, here’s a list of common issues I frequently encounter.
ISDN Channels
Alright, so you’ve set up your signalling groups, your transformation tables are a thing of beauty and your ISDN cables are connected and green.… [Keep reading] “Common Sonus SBC 1000/2000 Troubleshooting Tips”

Installing Skype for Business Server 2019

30th of July, 2018 / / 2 Comments

A few weeks ago, Microsoft announced the availability of Skype for Business 2019 server preview for download and I thought it was about time I checked it out!
 
Obtaining the installation media
You can obtain the installation media (a 1.68GB ISO file) from here: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Skype-for-Business-Blog/Announcing-the-Skype-for-Business-Server-2019-Preview/ba-p/218435
Easy!
 
The Lab
I’m running everything up at Windows Azure, but by all means feel free to spin up a new VM in your on premises lab if you have one.… [Keep reading] “Installing Skype for Business Server 2019”