Managing the ASM

The Application Solution Module (ASM) module is a separate, fully-functional server installed inside the

An operating ASM has two software partitions:

• The Live partition, from which the system actively runs. Unlike the Sonus SBC 1000/2000 application partitions, this partition is always active on a running ASM.
• The Recovery partition, which contains a spare software image. Users have the ability to re-initialize the ASM from this partition; an operation which replaces the live partition with the recovery image. This partition can also be updated directly as needed; refer to Updating the ASM Recovery Partition.

Software application support on the Application Solution Module (ASM) is limited as follows:

• Microsoft Lync Survivable Branch Appliance (SBA)
• Microsoft Lync Resilient Branch Appliance (RBA) communicating with the Lync Front End
• Quality of Experience (QoE) Agent Server Gateway

Software must be provided by Sonus and configured via the Sonus-provided provisioning and management interface.

ASM Modes and Sonus Support

The ASM operates in either of two modes, Appliance or Server.

• Appliance mode, in which the SBA utilizes Sonus' security solution and the SBA default offering.
• Server mode, in which the SBA relies on customer-installed software to provide alternative security/firewall protection or enhanced SBA operation. Operating in Server mode is valid.

By default, all ASMs are shipped in Appliance mode.

Server Mode

There are three actions that a customer can take to switch an ASM into Server mode: 

• Installing third-party software that is not approved by Sonus.
• Changing the Windows Role and Feature installed on the ASM in order to support additional Windows functionality. Using Remote Desktop or any other source.
• Running Windows Update without using the Sonus UI or API (for example, using GPO or automatic Windows Update).

Customers can choose to operate in Server mode if:

• They want to follow their own internal security and update processes rather than the Sonus standard processes regarding the Windows Server OS and/or the SBA application, or
• They want to deploy a firewall or antivirus solution not supplied by Sonus, or
• They wish to use a third-party application (Call Recording, Auto Attendant, or IP PBX for example) that is not currently approved for use with the ASM. This includes common open-source IP PBX applications such as those offered by Asterisk.

Third-Party Applications Supported in Appliance Mode

When the ASM is deployed in Appliance mode, Sonus will provide support for the selected ("approved") third-party applications. Sonus has approved select applications from the following vendors for use in Appliance mode

• Numonix: Recite
• Event Zero: Commander Connectors
• Microsoft: Skype for Business SDN (Software-Defined Networking) API

Installing Unsupported Third-Party Applications

Refer to Best Practice - Common Use Cases for Repurposing the ASM for Third-Party Applications and Server Mode.

Support Mode Definitions

Additional Topics