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 SBC 1000/2000 application partitions, this partition is always active on a running ASM.
• The Recovery partition, which contains a spare software image. You 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:

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

Software must be provided by

License

SBC License for Windows Server 2019 

You must purchase an updated Node-Locked License for your SBC 1000/2000 for Windows Server 2019 from Ribbon Sales or through the Ribbon Partner Portal, so that the SBC can initialize the ASM with a Windows Server 2019-based image. Once you purchase the license, Ribbon sends you an email that contains instructions for accessing the licensing portal to obtain the license. The following table provides information on the updated SBC license for Windows Server 2019.

For more information on NLL for SBC 1000/2000, refer to: Node-Locked Licensing.

Windows Server 2019 Certificate of Authenticity 

When you place an order to upgrade the operating system on your ASM from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2019, in parallel with sending you an email that contains information on where to obtain your license, Ribbon also sends you a physical upgrade kit that includes an envelope with a license label. This label provides a legal license to run the Windows Server 2019 software. The label also contains the Product Key needed to activate the Windows Server 2019 software.

ASM Modes and Ribbon Support

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

• Appliance mode, in which the SBA utilizes
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  's security solution and the SBA default offering.
• Server mode, in which the SBA relies on the software you installed 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 you can take to switch an ASM into Server mode: 

• Installing third-party software that is not approved by
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  .
• 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
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  UI or API (for example, using GPO or automatic Windows Update).

You can choose to operate in Server mode if:

• You want to follow their own internal security and update processes rather than the
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  standard processes regarding the Windows Server OS and/or the SBA application, or
• You want to deploy a firewall or antivirus solution not supplied by
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  , or
• You 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,

Installing Unsupported Third-Party Applications

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

Windows Status Panel

The Support Mode value of Server in the Windows Status panel indicates that unsupported software has been installed on the ASM.

Support Mode Definitions