Datasheet
Within a Live Communications Server deployment, it is important to place emphasis on back-up and
restore services for the Live Communications Server Back-End SQL Servers so that if data is lost on one
server, it is available on either the clustered server or back-up tape drive. Regarding the back-up support
of a Live Communications Server Back-End server, note that the LCS system is a real-time system, so log
shipping and tape backups will not provide a real backup of the system; therefore, they are not sup-
ported as part of a Live Communications Server environment. Enabling SQL Server clustering for an
LCS environment supports a scenario whereby should one Live Communications Server Back-End
Server fail, the Live Communications Server service continues to be operational. Conversely, in an LCS
environment with only one Live Communications Server Back-End Server, should that server fail, then
all Live Communications Server services terminate immediately.
Live Communications Server IM Archiving
The Live Communications Server IM Archiving Service is an optional service that enables archiving of
Instant Messages sent between LCS users. Enabling the IM Archiving Service provides businesses with
the capability to archive communications of individual users. The IM Archiving Service is a powerful
feature that continues to push the privacy boundaries; nonetheless, it is a necessary service for compa-
nies that want to archive communications for security or compliance purposes. The IM Archiving
Service, like the Live Communications Server Enterprise Edition Server, requires Microsoft SQL Server
2000 with Service Pack 3a. With SQL Server maintaining archived messages, organizations can build cus-
tom reports that provide transcripts of actual messages that have been sent between users of the system,
which can be helpful for compliance purposes. For example, for companies that must adhere to compli-
ance policies such as HIPPA and Sarbanes-Oxley, the Live Communications Server IM Archiving Service
is a great feature for conversation record retention. In addition, the archived messages can be integrated
with existing record retention applications, which maintain existing digital records and messages from
other applications such as e-mail and data within an enterprise environment.
Figure 1-6 shows a diagram depicting the Live Communications Server IM Archiving Service within a
Live Communications Server environment.
Third-party providers such as IMlogic and Akonix have enhanced the Live Communications Server
IM archiving solution by providing more robust and compliance-related features. I recommend the
use of the IMlogic IM Manager application for Live Communications Server. This solution provides
superior features for IM archiving and compliance. For more information, visit IMlogic’s website at
www.imlogic.com.
Live Communications Server SIP/PSTN Gateway
Another powerful feature of Live Communications Server 2005 SP1 is the integration of telephony
services such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Private Branch eXchange (PBX) integration, and
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) integration. To enable integration between your Live
Communications Server environment and a PSTN service such as Verizon Business or British Telecom,
the LCS environment must be configured with a Live Communications Server SIP/PSTN Gateway. The
Live Communications Server SIP/PSTN Gateway enables users to place a VoIP call using Microsoft
Office Communicator 2005.
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Introducing Microsoft Unified Communications
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