Not applicable to SBC SWe Edge.

Purpose

An enterprise may plan to deploy Cloud PBX (defined at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/skype-for-business-hybrid-solutions/plan-your-phone-system-cloud-pbx-solution/configure-skype-for-business-cloud-connector-edition) services at a future time. In the interim, the same enterprise may have/choose to deploy Skype for Business Server 2015 Standard Edition on-premises, as presented at https://technet.microsoft.com/en-ca/library/gg398095.aspx.

To minimize SBC-related expenses, Ribbon presents you with the option of deploying a Cloud Link device (intended to support Cloud PBX-related local PSTN voice services) as an execution platform for the Skype for Business Server 2015 Standard Edition. When you choose to migrate to Cloud PBX services, no additional SBC hardware expenses will be incurred.

This document details how to re-purpose a Ribbon Cloud Link device into a Ribbon based combined SBC - Skype for Business Server appliance, and vice versa.

For instructions on how to repurpose the ASM for other third party applications, please refer to the Best Practice - Common Use Cases for Repurposing the ASM for Third-Party Applications and Server Mode.

 When installing Skype for Business Server 2015 Standard Edition on a VM, take note of the following:

  • The SBC remains in Appliance mode; however, the CCE application (and other applications) will not be supported by Ribbon.
  • Four VMs are available for use without additional licensing.

For details on the operation of the ASM in Appliance or Server Mode, and installing supported third party applications onto the ASM, see Managing the ASM.

Ribbon is not responsible for the performance or support of third party applications (i.e., Skype for Business Server 2015 Standard Edition) installed on the VMs. Ribbon will only support the system in Appliance mode and may request the VMs to be temporarily turned off in order to support the OS.

For detailed information on the Skype for Business Server 2015 Standard Edition, see https://technet.microsoft.com/en-ca/library/dn951362.aspx.

Skype for Business Server 2015 Standard Edition operation is not supported on a non-Cloud Link ASM (i.e. any ASM that does not feature the D-1537 CPU from Intel ®)

Prerequisites

 When re-purposing the Ribbon SBC Cloud Link into an SBC - Skype for Business Server appliance, take note of the following:

How to Install Skype for Business Server 2015 Standard Edition on the Ribbon Cloud Link ASM using a Virtual Machine (VM)

The Cloud Connector Application must not be operated alongside the Skype for Business Server 2015 Standard Edition. Only one application can run at any one time.

Verify ASM Hardware/Licensing Requirements

  1. For new nodes, perform the initial setup as described in Running Initial Setup.

  2. Connect to the SBC Edge Portfolio WebUI for configuration. For access details, see Logging in to the SBC Edge.

  3. Access System > ASM System Details to confirm the ASM type (Broadwell Xeon®). See Verify ASM Hardware/Licensing Requirements.

  4.  Verify that the Skype for Business Server 2015 Standard Edition you plan to install matches the resources available below in order to handle all activities (such as archiving, monitoring, number of users, etc.)

    Hardware and Licensing


    		ASM - Broadwell Xeon
    Resources to allocateASM Base System (host): 2 GB + 2 CPU Thread
    VMs (up to 4 are available without additional licensing): 30 GB + 15 CPU Thread

    For detailed information on CPU, memory specifications, and disk storage available with supported ASM hardware platforms, see Application Solution Module.

  5. From the WebUI, click Tasks > Application Solution Module> Operational Status to determine the ASM status and usage (Windows Server). See Verify ASM Hardware/Licensing Requirements.

    If the ASM is not running a Windows Server image, see Updating the ASM Recovery Partition and Re-initializing the ASM. Download the latest CCE image from the Ribbon Support Portal.

Start the Hyper-V Service

  1. From the SBC Edge Portfolio UI, navigate to Settings > Application Solution Module > Virtual Machines.

  2. From the Hyper-V Action drop down list, select Start.

  3. Access Settings > Application Solution Module > Change Admin Password.

  4. From the Password Option drop down list, select User Configured.

  5. Enter the password and click OK.

Build the Virtual Machine (VM)

All support for the Skype for Business Server application is to be acquired from Microsoft® and authorized partners. Ribbon confines support of the appliance to the OS of the ASM, and the underlying SBC.

  1. Connect to the ASM using remote desktop (see Enabling and Disabling Remote Desktop on the ASM).

  2. Start Hyper-V (see Operating ASM Virtual Machines).

  3. Load the ISO of the Operating System you plan to use. The module shipped for Cloud Link ASM usage contains a license for four Windows Server 2012 R2 VMs.

  4. For further steps on installing Skype for Business Server 2015 Standard Edition, refer to: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn951362.aspx.

Return to Ribbon Cloud Link Usage

If you need to revert back to the Ribbon Cloud Link, see below:

  1. Re-initialize the ASM using the Cloud Connector Edition (CCE) image found on the hard drive. See Re-initializing the ASM.

    If the image has been deleted from the hard drive, you have the option to re-load it from the Ribbon Global Support Portal.


  2. From the ASM image type drop down, select Cloud Connector Edition. 

After re-initialization, the Ribbon SBC will now run as a Cloud Link.