Datasheet

Live Communications Server 2005 SP1 Server Roles
Live Communications Server 2005 SP1 is available in two separate versions that vary according to size
and type of deployment. Live Communications Server 2005 SP1 Standard Edition is targeted at smaller
businesses or single-server implementations, as the Standard Edition only requires one server and
includes a scaled-down database using Microsoft MSDE, supporting up to 15,000 users per server. Live
Communications Server 2005 SP1 Enterprise Edition provides a scalable and high-performance LCS
deployment that includes load balancing, a tiered architecture, and a back-end SQL Server database with
cluster support, supporting 20,000 users per server.
Included with the available Standard and Enterprise Edition versions of the software, Live
Communications Server provides additional server roles to enable specific features for a Live
Communications Server deployment. This section provides an overview of the following server roles
that are available, which provide additional features such as IM Archiving, remote access, branch office
access, routing, and telephony integration:
❑ Live Communications Server Access Proxy
❑ Live Communications Server Proxy
❑ Live Communications Server Director
❑ Live Communications Server Front-End Pool Servers
❑ Live Communications Server Back-End SQL Server Database
❑ Live Communications Server IM Archiving Server
❑ Live Communications Server SIP/PSTN Gateway
Live Communications Server Access Proxy
A Live Communications Server 2005 SP1 Access Proxy Server is used to enable remote access for users
connecting to a Live Communications Server environment without the need for a Virtual Private
Network (VPN) connection. It is also used for federation with other Live Communications Server
environments and to enable integration with the popular Public Instant Messaging Connectivity (PIC)
service with Yahoo, MSN, and AOL. Enabling connectivity without the use of a VPN connection has
become a new standard for Microsoft enterprise server products, including Microsoft Exchange Server
2003. Remote access is a required feature for enterprise organizations, as it enables the capability to offer
collaboration and communication solutions to partners, customers, branch offices, and external
resources. Figure 1-1 depicts the Live Communications Server 2005 SP1 Access Proxy server.
As Live Communications Server penetrates the marketplace, LCS-enabled organizations want the capa-
bility to connect with other organizations that are also running Live Communications Server within their
environment. This connectivity between Live Communications Server environments is called federation.
Federation enables multiple organizations that have deployed Live Communications Server to commu-
nicate with one another directly or through what is called a Live Communications Server clearing house
solution, such as companies that are members of industry-specific organizations. Both the federated and
clearing house connectivity options require the Live Communications Server Access Proxy.
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