Not applicable to SBC SWe Edge.

Purpose

This document details how to deploy a non-Ribbon supplied/third party application onto an SBC Edge Portfolio device with an ASM (Applications Solutions Module), featuring a D-1508 or D-1537 Intel® CPU and Microsoft® Windows Server® 2012 R2. For more details regarding the ASMs, see Application Solution Module.


  • Third party applications are not supported by Ribbon.
  • This document does not apply to ASMs shipped prior to the availability of Release 6.1 software (e.g., ASMs that feature a Celeron® CPU, Atom®, etc).

Background - How does the ASM Support Third Party Applications?

The Application Solution Module (ASM) module is a separate, fully-functional server installed inside the SBC 1000/2000 chassis. Third-party software may be installed on the ASM host operating system or onto a Hyper-V VM (Virtual machine).  

Support for Third Party Applications via ASM (SBA) Host Operating System

Third-party software for the Ribbon SBC Edge Portfolio can be installed on the ASM Host Operating system, categorized as:

  1. Supported. Third-party applications supported on the ASM Host Operating System are listed here: Approved Partner Solutions for ASM. For these approved applications, the ASM runs in Appliance Mode (SBA default offering).
  2. Unsupported. Third-party applications installed directly on the ASM that are not currently supported by Ribbon. For these unapproved applications, the ASM runs in Server Mode (performance and behavior of the SBA and Cloud Connector Edition applications are not guaranteed and not supported by Ribbon).

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

This document does not apply to third party applications installed on an ASM's host operating system; this section is provided for context. See Best Practice - Common Use Cases for Repurposing the ASM for Third-Party Applications and Server Mode.

Support for Third Party Applications via VM 

As opposed to deploying a third party application on the ASM host operating system, customers can choose to deploy a third party application on a Hyper-V VM (Virtual Machine). When installing a third-party application on a VM, take note of the following ASM type:


ASM TypeOperation Details
ASM shipped with SBA Application (D-1508 CPU)
  • The SBC remains in Appliance mode (i.e., Ribbon continues to provide support for the SBA application), provided no adjustments are made by the customer to remove physical and OS resources from the SBA.
  • Two Hyper-V VMs are available for use without additional licensing from Rbbon.
  • Additional Hyper-V VMs are available for use with additional licensing from Ribbon.

This document details how to add third party applications to a VM. Ribbon is not responsible for the performance or support of third party applications 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 and the SBA applications.

For detailed information on how to repurpose a Cloud Link ASM to operate the Skype for Business server, see Best Practice - Repurposing the Ribbon Cloud Link ASM for Skype for Business Server 2015 Standard Edition.

How to Install a Third-Party Application on the ASM using a Virtual Machine (VM)

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 into the SBC Edge Portfolio.

  3. Access System > ASM System Details to confirm the availability of an Intel® "Broadwell" based ASM ("Broadwell" Pentium® or "Broadwell" Xeon®). 

  4. Ensure the physical and licensed resources are available for the VM-resident third party applications you wish to deploy.

    Available Resources for Third Party Applications

    ASM TypeResources to allocate
    Broadwell" Pentium® D-1508 Based ASMCPU Threads available: 2
    RAM available: 4 GB
    Licensed Hyper-V VMs available: 2
    Additional VMS available with Appropriate Licensing:     Yes
     
    Broadwell" Xeon® D-1537 Based ASMCPU Threads available: 15
    RAM available: 30 GB
    Licensed Hyper-V VMs available: 4
    Additional VMS available with Appropriate Licensing:     Yes


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

  5. From the WebUI, click Tasks > Application Solution Module> Operational Status to further determine the resources you can use for the VM.

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)

  1. Connect to the ASM using remote desktop (see Enabling and Disabling Remote Desktop on the ASM).
  2. Start the Hyper-V manager on the Remote Desktop.

  3. Load the ISO of the Operating System you plan to use.

  4. For further steps on creating a VM and assigning your third party application(s) to the VM, refer to Microsoft TechNet Documentation (https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc772480(v=ws.11).aspx.

  5. Build additional VMs as needed. See Step 4.

To return the ASM to its original state, delete the VM(s) you created: Access Hyper-V Manager, click Turn Off and then click Delete.