Not applicable to SBC SWe Edge.

Re-initializing ASM restores the ASM to an unconfigured state, replacing all software and settings with the image in the Updating the ASM Recovery Partition .

This operation is typically useful when a SBA (Lync/Skype or Teams Direct Routing) needs to be re-deployed, for disaster recovery, or as a means of clearing all software and configuration. Sometimes, it is also used in conjunction after Updating the ASM Recovery Partition in order to load updated software onto the ASM.

This operation can also be used to run a different type of image on the ASM to achieve another role. The ASM is shipped running Skype for Business 2015 SBA, with the following images available on the recovery partition of the ASM SBA:

  • Cloud Connector Edition image, which allows use of the ASM as a Cloud Connector Appliance with Microsoft CloudPBX.
  • Lync 2013 SBA image, which allows use of the ASM as a Survivable Branch Appliance for Lync 2013.

In addition to the image loaded onto the ASM recovery partition by Ribbon, visit the Ribbon Support Portal - Download Center for other image types:

  • Windows Server image, which allows use of the ASM as a customer-maintained server.


Only the ASM image that is based on a licensed Operating System will appear to be re-initialized in the WebUI. If you are not seeing an image that has been previously loaded into the Recovery partition, see below for how to access Notes and Limitations.

See Notes and Limitations for additional details.

Performing the re-initialization

Before you Begin
This operation can only be performed when the Managing the SBC Communication Service becomes operational. In other words, only when a valid ASM IP address has been configured either via the Initial Setup or the ASM IP Settings.

This operation is both disruptive (it leaves the ASM unavailable for up to 40 minutes) and destructive (it deletes and replaces all software and configuration on the ASM).

  1. In the WebUI, click the Tasks tab.

  2. In the left navigation pane, under the Application Solution Module, click Reinitialize.

  3. Select an image type from the Image Type select list.
  4. Click Apply

Upon starting the operation, the ASM will become unavailable for up to 40 minutes. It will not provide progress updates (there is no way to see how far along it is), but the Current Activity Status panel will report when the operation is complete.

Required Post Actions

After successfully re-initializing the ASM, proceed with the following actions:

  1. Upgrading the SBC Communication Service Version
  2. If you plan to re-deploy the ASM as an SBA (Lync/Skype or Teams Direct Routing),
    1. You may skip over the Central Site Tasks in the deployment, and continue with the Branch Site Tasks for Lync/Skype SBA or Best Practice - Configure Direct Routing Survivable Branch Appliance (SBA).
    2. Fully deploy the SBA.
    3. Install the latest Cumulative Updates for SBA