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

If customers install third-party applications that Sonus has not explicitly approved, and if the customer requests ASM OS and application support (vs. hardware support only), Sonus reserves the right to request that the ASM be re-initialized and returned to Appliance mode.

Support Mode Definitions

Additional Topics