Configuring Skype for Business Hybrid with GCC High Tenants

Configuring Skype for Business Hybrid with a GCC High Office 365 tenant is mostly the same, but it turns out that there are a few differences in terms of the DNS records and FQDNs that get set when running the PowerShell cmdlets. This brief posts walks you through the differences.

Differing DNS Records

When working with [U.S.] GOV tenants in Office 365, there are a couple different types of tenants that reflect varying levels of compliance & security requirements. Namely, there is:

• Office 365 GCC
• Office 365 GCC High and DoD

There are a number of compliance requirements that are met by each type of tenant, as can be guessed by the difference in names. Clearly, the Office 365 GCC High and DoD tenants meet a more strict set of requirements, as well as those that specifically target DoD entities.

There are several components to the architecture of these tenants that allow them to meet a more stringent set of requirements, and one of them is reflected by the difference in FQDNs and URLs that are used by endpoints to connect into these environments. Specifically, the Office 365 GCC High tenants (DoD is still being worked on) have a different list of required DNS records than your typical commercial tenant. While we are focusing on Skype for Business Online here, this also applies to Exchange Online.

The DNS records that are required for Skype for Business Online in a GCC High tenant are below:

CNAMEs

• 'sip'
• Points to: sipdir.online.gov.skypeforbusiness.us
• 'lyncdiscover'
• Points to: webdir.online.gov.skypeforbusiness.us

SRV

• '_sip'
• Points to: sipdir.online.gov.skypeforbusiness.us
• Port: 443
• Protocol: _tls
• '_sipfederationtls'
• Points to: sipfed.online.gov.skypeforbusiness.us
• Port: 5061
• Protocol: _tcp

Configuring Hybrid

As you can imagine, given the difference in the DNS records, you will want to slightly modify the PowerShell cmdlets that you use when setting up Hybrid for a Skype for Business environment that includes a GCC High tenant. Specifically, when running the New-CsHostingProvider cmdlet, you will want to do so like this, with the specified ProxyFqdn and AutoDiscoverUrl attributes:

New-CsHostingProvider -Identity SkypeforBusinessOnlineGov -ProxyFqdn -"sipfed.online.gov.skypeforbusiness.us" -Enabled $true -EnabledSharedAddressSpace $true -HostsOCSUsers $true -VerificationLevel UseSourceVerification -IsLocal $false -AutodiscoverUrl https://webdir.online.gov.skypeforbusiness.us/Autodiscover/AutodiscoverService.svc/root

The rest of the Hybrid configuration is pretty much the same. Next, when it comes to moving users via the Management Shell, you will modify the cmdlets like so:

Move-CsUser -Identity <user@domain.com> -Target sipfed.online.gov.skypeforbusiness.us -Credential $cred -HostedMigrationOverrideUrl https://admin1g.online.gov.skypeforbusiness.us/HostedMigration/hostedmigrationservice.svc.

So, to summarize, while I hate to seem like I am simplifying, we are pretty much putting 'gov.skypeforbusiness.us' anymore that 'lync.com' would typically show up in our Hybrid configuration process.

I hope this is able to save someone even a little bit of pain, somewhere. It seems like such a small thing, but if you are not aware of these differences, the errors that you will run into do not do a great job of letting you know where to start, and none of the "Configure Hybrid" documentation does a great job at calling out that there are differences for GCC High tenants.

#TeamsRecap - Post-Ignite Microsoft Teams Review with Lori Wright

I had the distinct honor of being joined by a very special guest on the #TeamsRecap this week. Lori Wright, the General Manager of Office Collab Apps at Microsoft, offered great perspective on some of the recent Microsoft Teams announcements coming out of Microsoft Ignite.



We even managed to work a raccoon into the conversation! This is a #TeamsRecap not to be missed - listen in:






Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more Microsoft Teams & Skype for Business news - there is certainly no shortage of it, as of late!

#MSIgnite - Microsoft Teams Devices Overview with Ilya Bukshteyn

How NOT to Prepare for Microsoft Ignite

Every year, as Microsoft Ignite begins to draw nearer on the calendar, there are always a hefty amount of blog posts, and sometimes even videos, and the best tips and tricks for preparing for Ignite. While these posts are all helpful, and usually provide unique perspectives on experiencing the conference, I wanted to do something a little different.

SO, I flipped the idea on its head, and created a brief video (less than 5 minutes) on:

How NOT to prepare for Microsoft Ignite

I don't want to spoil the fun of the video, but I think you will enjoy it. Let's just say a dog finds its way into this one... ;-)

I hope you find the video useful, entertaining, and I look forward to seeing you all at Microsoft Ignite 2018!

Get-CsJosh -Location "Microsoft Ignite" -Type Session (I'm speaking at Ignite!)

Microsoft Ignite 2018 Participation

Right below this paragraph is how to follow me and stay plugged in during Microsoft Ignite. WHY to follow me for Microsoft Ignite follows comes after that ;-)!

How to follow...

Twitter: @GetCsJosh

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/GetCsJosh

Microsoft TechCommunity: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/33823

WHY to follow...

Here we are, less than a month away from Microsoft Ignite 2018, and all passes for Microsoft Ignite have been sold out for about a week now. This is going to be a BIG event! This will be my 3rd Ignite, but my excitement for this one is greater than it has been in years before. Why, you ask? What is the big deal with this year versus yester year[s]? Well read on to find out!

Community Reporter

This year, I have the distinct honor of being chosen to participate as one of the 10 Community Reporters for Microsoft Ignite! If you are not familiar with the Community Reporter role, it was created for Microsoft Ignite last year, with one Community Reporter (a Microsoft MVP or RD) from each major Microsoft product area. The Community Reporter brings the highlights of Ignite from a respective product area back to the relevant social communities by means of short video clips.

The following are some examples of the types of videos you would expect to see from the Community Reporters throughout the duration of Ignite:

• Interviews of key speakers & Microsoft executives and Program Managers
• Interviews of attendees on their experiences and thoughts on various components of the conference.
• "Experience" and "tour" videos of key areas (i.e., the Expo Floor, the Keynote, etc)
• Daily Recaps

You get the idea! Obviously, I will be reporting largely on the Microsoft UC/IC news (Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, Office 365). I have some big shoes, to fill, though - the Community Reporter in this space last year was none other than industry legend, fellow MVP, and Microsoft Master, Tom Arbuthnot! Wish me luck (and tune in)!

I'm Speaking at Microsoft Ignite

This year, for the first time, I will actually be speaking at Microsoft Ignite, and could not be more excited for the opportunity! What am I speaking on, you ask? Microsoft Teams, of course! I have a 45-minute session entitled "Building a community-led tech conference using Microsoft Teams", and the Session Code is BRK2285.

Now that you know the session title and the code, you have no excuse not to add it to your schedule now! ;-) Also, if you are not able to make it to Ignite this year, I am told that EVERYTHING will be live-streamed, so be sure to tune it live to watch!

This session will dive into the various ways that myself and the rest of the #CommsvNext team designed and built every aspect of this conference completely from within Microsoft Teams. If all works out, I may even be able to have the rest of the team join me on stage to provide their insights! (fellow MVPs, Jonathan McKinney, Adam Ball, and Pat Richard).

#TeamsRecap - Microsoft Ignite 2018 Edition

It has become somewhat of a tradition at each Microsoft Ignite to have a special #Skype4BRecap / #TeamsRecap episode, co-hosted with fellow MVP, Matt Landis. This year will be no different - except that I may actually have access to record in a more professional setting: and actual production STUDIO! Be sure to keep up with me on Twitter (info above) for the release of this episode.

Matt and I will be going over any key news, and talking about that burning question on every Skype for Business Online customer's mind right now: Is it yet the right time to move to Microsoft Teams?

How to connect while at Microsoft Ignite?

If you are looking to connect with me at Microsoft Ignite, there are a couple key ways (though I can't promise a ton, because as it happens, my schedule is already looking a bit hectic...):

1. Sessions! Obviously, I will be at BRK2285, speaking, and able to chat a bit afterwards. However, there is a good chance you will run into me at some of the key Microsoft Teams sessions, and a VERY good chance I will be at THE Skype for Business session.
2. Sponsor Events/Parties. I typically try to make sure I make it to some of the multi-vendor parties (SfB & Teams-related vendors). While some of those details are still being sorted, I am already registered for the CDW Customer Appreciation Event on Wednesday night. If you are CDW customer, and are coming to Ignite, I look forward to seeing you there!
3. FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER (@GetCsJosh). Seriously, that is one of the best ways to know what I am up to at any given point during a Microsoft Ignite conference. I have a bit of a bad mad-Tweeting habit during these conferences...

See you there!

Microsoft Communications on the Enterprise Connect 2018 Expo Floor – Day 1

For those of you that were not able to make it to Enterprise Connect this year, I wanted to bring a bit of my perspective from the Expo Floor. While there were some pretty big announcements blasted out via official Microsoft blogs on Monday, there is also a lot happening with several of Microsoft’s strategic device & solution partners – and much of this was on display on the Expo Floor. Let’s start with the Microsoft Booth.

 Microsoft – Teams & Skype for Business

Ok, the “Skype for Business” portion of that title is more or less a courtesy, as Microsoft Teams has taken not just center stage, but almost the entire stage, at EC this year. As you can see from the picture above, the Microsoft booth is painted Teams-purple this year, with Teams at the epicenter. While you had the impressive Hub displays all over within the booth, there were also several big screens set up for Teams demonstration purposes.

Skype Room Systems

The display of Skype Room Systems is growing steadily (Will they continue to be called “Skype Room Systems”, I wonder…), and this was on display at the booth. Lenovo announced a new SRS during the Ignite timeframe last year, but I’ll get to them in a second (I stopped by their booth separately). The other new player in the SRS space is HP with their Elite Slice:

The Elite Slice has a propped up display, with the familiar interface of the other SRS’s. The cube-shaped box to the right is the computing base with ports for external devices, and on top of the computing base is a large speaker. The speaker is actually optional, and if you get the base without the speaker, the base can be under-mounted to the conference table, allowing for a cleaner tabletop.

Teams Interfaces for Devices

I’ll provide an image or two of the Teams interface on a couple partner devices a bit later on, but Microsoft has a glass case at their booth, filled with various partner devices, all running a Teams interface. I must say, the Teams interface does look pretty slick on these devices, and I am excited to see this piece of the Teams transition story coming into focus.

Lenovo Thinksmart HUB 500 (SRS)

As mentioned above, I was able to stop at the Lenovo booth on Day 1 to get a closer look at a full SRS setup using the new Lenovo Thinksmart HUB 500. This device can swivel a full 360 degrees for ease of access on all sides of the conference table. There is also a light that encompasses the base to match the Skype for Business status.

One thing I personally appreciated about this device from an aesthetic standpoint is the beveled edges at the top and bottom of the display.

As for the rest of the specs, I could list them here. OR, I could just share an image of the spec sheet that Lenovo was handing out at their booth. Yeah, let’s go with that last idea…

AudioCodes C450HD

AudioCodes was one of various Microsoft device partners to display the upcoming Teams interface on their newly announced C450HD:

As you might expect, this new interface has theming that is very nicely matched to the Microsoft Teams experience. The tabbed feel of the Teams menu is even present at the bottom of the phone, with Calls, Meetings, and Voicemail tabs present. There is also a Dialpad button on the screen, if you prefer to use an on-screen dialpad versus the physical keys, and contacts can be searched for with your GAL/Contacts through the search features in the upper-right hand corner.

While the C450HD is a new offering for AudioCodes, I should note that this new Teams experience is very consistent across the other 3^rd-party devices that are also previewing this experience (Polycom and Yealink).

Yealink T58A & CP960 Teams Edition Conference Phone

Yealink’s newer T58A was on display at their booth, with a similar Teams experience as was described above. The design of this phone is a bit unique, bringing focus to the main screen, and affording a lot of real estate on this screen:

Shifting gears to the conference phone, Yealink’s CP960 Teams Edition was also on display, with a very familiar Teams experience. The interface brings a really “mobile phone” feel with it.

To each side of the CP960 are wireless peripheral speakers for distributed audio input in a conference room. These wireless speakers are very thin (a drink coaster comes to mind for comparison, though the speakers are obviously a bit thicker. When not in use, the speakers can be placed in a charging dock between meetings to ensure you don’t run into a nasty “out or batteries” situation mid-meeting:

Stay Tuned….

This was a brief summary of some of the device innovations that I was able to soak in during Day 1 of Enterprise Connect. Stay tuned, as I will be spending the greater part of Day 3 on the Expo Floor, and will be bringing a short description of the new features and devices that I observe from the other partners out there in the Microsoft UC ecosystem!

Landis' Technologies' Office 365 Contact Center, Calling in Microsoft Teams, & More News

The first #TeamsRecap episode of 2018 is finally here! This episode covered the following topics:

• End of Life Support for OCS
• Skype for Business client updates
• Fulfilled Calling Roadmap items for Microsoft Teams
• Landis Technologies' Office 365 Contact Center

To watch the video in my YouTube channel, and to get the links to the above content in the Video Description, check it out at the following link: https://youtu.be/aqaRWx2mams

Or you can watch the video right here in this post:

Some Changes for the #TeamsRecap Webcast

Through the holidays of 2017, and the first half of January 2018, the #TeamsRecap webcast took a bit of a break. Not only was it a very busy time riddled with family visitations and the traditional passing around of the random sicknesses, but I was also taking time to ponder what was next, for the #TeamsRecap.

I was starting to have a hard time keeping up with the consistent weekly cadence of the show that had been present for the first 2 years, and felt that it may also be time to have more than just my ugly mug talking about Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams news. So, after a bit of pondering, the #TeamsRecap is resurfacing with its first guest Co-Host, MVP Matt Landis of Landis Technologies!

In addition to having guest Co-Hosts, the show is also longer, as we take time to discuss the normal list of topics that I work my way through in the browser tabs. Previously, the show targeted about a 15-minute timeframe. I know this was desirable for some of you, but this new format will likely range anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour (though I want to try to keep it well under an hour when possible). While there is a sacrifice on the brevity, more perspective is being brought, and I feel that there is good value in that.

Finally, when doing a show with a Co-Host, I needed to find another platform to record on. Pexip has graciously provided space on their Infinity platform for the meeting & recording of the episodes, and I want to extend a HUGE thank you to Graham Walsh and the entire team over at Pexip - thank you for making this new format for the #TeamsRecap possible! Check them out: https://www.pexip.com/.

More changes may come throughout the year, but this is a good starting point. As always, though, I would LOVE to get your thoughts and in-filtered feedback.