Microsoft Office Communications Server

Microsoft Office Communications Server
Name	Microsoft Office Communications Server
Developer	Microsoft
Released	2007
Discontinued	2010 (rebranded)
Latest release	2007 R2
Programming language	C++
Operating system	Windows Server
Genre	Unified communications server

Microsoft Office Communications Server Microsoft Office Communications Server was an enterprise real-time communications server developed by Microsoft for instant messaging, presence, conferencing, and telephony. It served as a successor to Microsoft Live Communications Server and was succeeded by products in the Microsoft Unified Communications family, integrating with systems from vendors such as Cisco, Avaya, IBM, and Siemens. The platform targeted organizations using Microsoft Windows Server, Microsoft Exchange, and Microsoft Office, providing centralized management for collaboration in enterprise environments like banks, universities, and government agencies.

Overview

Office Communications Server provided presence, instant messaging, VoIP, and conferencing services to enterprise clients running Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange Server, and Microsoft SharePoint Server. The product supported standards and interoperability with Session Initiation Protocol implementations and gateways from vendors like Cisco and Avaya, and worked with desktop clients such as Microsoft Office Communicator and mobile clients on platforms including Nokia and Windows Mobile. Enterprises in sectors exemplified by Deutsche Bank, University of California, and United States Department of Defense deployed the server to modernize communications and integrate with identity systems like Active Directory.

History and Development

Development of the product followed Microsoft Live Communications Server and paralleled initiatives such as Microsoft Exchange Server evolution and the acquisition-driven expansion exemplified by the Microsoft purchase of Hotmail and Visio. Major milestones included the original 2007 release and the 2007 R2 update, coinciding with releases of Microsoft Office System components and alignment with projects like Microsoft Office Live Meeting and Microsoft RoundTable. The product lifecycle intersected with industry events such as announcements at Microsoft TechEd and partnerships with vendors present at Interop and VoiceCon conferences. Strategic shifts in unified communications influenced its rebranding into later offerings like Microsoft Lync and Microsoft Skype for Business.

Architecture and Components

The server architecture used roles such as Front End Server, Edge Server, Mediation Server, and Director, integrating with infrastructure products like Microsoft SQL Server and Windows Server Update Services. Key components interfaced with systems including Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange Server, and Microsoft SharePoint Server, while media pathways relied on session border controllers from vendors like Acme Packet and Sonus Networks. Hardware and virtualization options involved platforms from Dell, HP, and VMware, and service models referenced by telecom operators such as BT Group and AT&T influenced deployment topologies for branch offices and data centers.

Features and Functionality

Features included presence indicators, instant messaging, enterprise voice with SIP trunking, multiparty conferencing with application and desktop sharing, and compliance features like archiving and journaling integrated with products such as Microsoft Exchange Unified Messaging and third-party archiving solutions from vendors like Veritas Technologies and Proofpoint. Clients integrated with productivity suites including Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook and supported interoperability with standards-driven devices from Polycom, Avaya, and Cisco Systems. Functionality extended to mobility scenarios supported by mobile carriers such as Verizon Communications and handset makers like Nokia.

Deployment and Administration

Administrators used tools including Management Console and command-line utilities that integrated with systems from Microsoft System Center and configuration management tools used by enterprises like IBM Tivoli and BMC Software. Deployment guides referenced best practices from industry groups such as Unified Communications Interoperability Forum and vendors offering professional services including Accenture and Capgemini. High-availability and disaster-recovery scenarios involved data center strategies employed by organizations such as Goldman Sachs and Amazon Web Services customers, with load balancing solutions from F5 Networks and Citrix Systems.

Security and Compliance

Security features encompassed TLS encryption, SRTP for media, authentication via Active Directory and Kerberos, and edge server patterns for demilitarized deployments matching guidance from agencies like National Institute of Standards and Technology and regulations influencing deployments in sectors represented by HIPAA-covered healthcare providers and Sarbanes–Oxley Act-regulated financial institutions. Compliance capabilities included message archiving and eDiscovery integration with tools used by legal teams at firms such as Baker McKenzie and audit processes practiced by organizations like PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Integrations and Interoperability

The server integrated with Microsoft products including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange Server, and Microsoft SharePoint Server, and interoperated with telephony systems from Cisco Systems, Avaya, and Alcatel-Lucent via SIP and gateways. Ecosystem partners included hardware vendors like Polycom and software integrators such as Atos and DXC Technology, while standards bodies such as the Internet Engineering Task Force and industry consortia like the SIP Forum influenced interoperability. This enabled unified communications deployments across multinational enterprises such as Siemens, Toyota, and Procter & Gamble.

Category:Microsoft server software Category:Unified communications