Video Interop in Lync
By Shelly Marston, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Lync
In my role on the Lync Marketing team, I look after Lync Meetings — audio, video, and web conferencing — and the video workload. So I was particularly attentive in Tony Bates’ keynote at Lync Conference 2013 a month ago, especially to the commitment of delivering interoperability with third-party video teleconference (VTC) vendors in the next 12-18 months. As I met with customers, partners, and analysts at the show, they all wanted to better understand what this will look like when delivered and what is available to them today. With Enterprise Connect 2013 starting today (Mar 18-21 in Orlando), I thought it was a good time to share the details of those conversations with you. I’ll do my best to answer their questions and more below, as well as provide some context around why this topic is important.
Interoperability: An Overview
Interoperability is a means or mechanism that allows disparate systems to work together.
Historically, point-to-point video and video conferencing capabilities in the enterprise have been delivered by hardware-based video teleconference (aka VTCs) or telepresence systems. Enterprises that have embraced these traditional video conferencing solutions over the last 5-15 years are likely to have invested significant budget for hardware and maintenance. These deployments are commonly a single vendor’s solutions resulting in assets from Polycom, Cisco/Tandberg, or other vendor VTCs deployed in conference rooms distributed across the enterprise’s locations.
These same enterprises, now ready to deploy Lync as a unified communications platform, are looking for ways to preserve their capital investment in these systems by using the VTCs as audio/video endpoints accessible to and from Lync. Alternatively, some customers may have an active video conferencing user community and plan to augment their solution offering with Lync. Others view Lync as a legitimate replacement to VTCs or telepresence. They might choose to leverage interoperability between Lync and VTCs/telepresence systems in the interim while migrating end users from the hardware estate to Lync.
These concepts are not unique to video. There are obvious parallels to Lync interoperability with legacy telephony solutions. In order for customers to deploy Lync Enterprise Voice, the ability to communicate with the existing telephony estate may be required — from IP-PBXs to Gateways to Session Border Controllers — whether as an interim solution or for long-term coexistence. As a result, we have grown the UC Open Interoperability Program (UCOIP) to include more than forty SIP Trunking providers and dozens of infrastructure providers across the telephony spectrum.
To some extent, the scenarios specific to video are a reflection of the unified communications maturity curve and the journey our customers take when deploying and adopting Lync in their enterprises.
Video Interoperability with Lync Today
So how do customers achieve video interop today?
Microsoft supports the Microsoft Lync Video Interoperability Program (VIP) which tests and qualifies partners’ video solutions to provide interoperability with Microsoft Lync Server 2010 and Lync 2013 to provide a premium experience for customers. The program offers support, via the Lync Partner Engineering team, to third parties as they navigate the technical documentation and understand the finer details of the signaling and media implementations in Lync 2013.
This allows partner companies who participate in VIP such as Polycom, LifeSize, Vidyo, and Radvision (Avaya) to deliver solutions that allow video interoperability between Lync and VTCs. Many of these partners will also be attending Enterprise Connect 2013, so feel free to visit to their booths for more details.
What about Cisco?
Customers with Cisco/Tandberg VTC investments frequently ask me if Lync 2013 interoperability with Cisco/Tandberg is possible today. And if so, how?
Microsoft has, by referring to the guidelines of the Video Interoperability Program (though Cisco is not participating in the VIP), advised Cisco on the specifics of Lync 2013 signaling and extension updates required to support the new features and leveraging H.264 AVC for higher quality experiences.
A basic assessment concluded positively that interoperability between Lync 2013 and Tandberg VTCs with Video Communication Sever (aka VCS B2B UA) was achievable with minor modifications of the VCS. With Lync 2013, transcoding is no longer required. Hence, there is no need for the expensive Cisco Advanced Media Gateway. In this new interoperability mode, the codec used natively by both systems is H.264 AVC resulting in a higher quality video experience for the end user than was the case with Lync 2010 interoperability. H.263 is no longer required.
I sincerely hope Cisco continues this partnership by submitting its solution for further testing and/or qualification in the Video Interoperability Program. When customers ask me what they can do to promote progress in this regard, I suggest that they encourage Cisco to participate in the VIP.
"Built-in" Video Interoperability
I am energized by what the future holds for Lync 2013 video interoperability!
As announced by Tony Bates at Lync Conference 2013, Lync will support video interoperability, with Cisco/Tandberg VTCs specifically, within 12-18 months. With this capability “built in” to Lync, third-party gateways or MCUs (including Cisco VCS) will no longer be required to achieve interoperability.
Interoperability “built in” to Lync will:
- Reduce complexity
- Eliminate the need to purchase and/or maintain additional equipment
- Provide more choice to enterprises as they deploy and adopt Lync as their unified communications platform
Ultimately, we think this will help customers achieve the above goals I mentioned in the overview, while simultaneously unlocking the full potential of Lync!
For others, interoperability will be a “means to an end” for an interim period as they consider transitioning to Lync 2013 clients and Lync Room Systems. Lync Room System is a great option for new investments, such as new conference rooms or where there is a need to increase capacity. Between Lync mobile apps and Lync Room System, we have delivered a comprehensive suite of clients with the most to offer across IM, presence, Lync Meetings, and P2P audio/video capabilities.
If you’re attending Enterprise Connect 2013, stop by our booth! You’ll see the new Lync — including our new Lync Room System solution — and have an opportunity to question the experts. I hope you enjoy the show, and I look forward to continuing this dialogue in the coming months!
Comments
Anonymous
January 01, 2003
thanksAnonymous
January 01, 2003
Hi, Good info... You mention that "... achievable with minor modifications of the VCS". Has Microsoft or Cisco published info on the modifications required to achieve this integration ? ThanksAnonymous
January 01, 2003
thanks youAnonymous
March 18, 2013
The comment has been removedAnonymous
March 18, 2013
Point of interest: H.264 AVC is an older construct of H.264. Most of the major vendors, including MSFT, now support H.264 SVC (although in MSFT's case, they only support up to Mode 1 and do not currently support Mode 2s, Mode 2q, nor the Full Scaling functionality of SVC Mode 3).Anonymous
March 18, 2013
As a customer assistance officer for RBC bank is important for me sending clear messages to my colleagues and sometimes laking on time an image speaks better...so I would need to have the Meeting face to face ICON for the MSN office communicateur back. Please and Thank you !!Anonymous
March 18, 2013
At Enterprise Connect today Polycom said it has achieved Lync 2013 qualification for its VVX Business Media Phones, and laid out its plan for Lync 2013 interop across all video solutions. Click here if you want to read the press release: http://bit.ly/ZVvx4aAnonymous
March 19, 2013
"I sincerely hope Cisco continues this partnership by submitting its solution for further testing and/or qualification in the Video Interoperability Program. When customers ask me what they can do to promote progress in this regard, I suggest that they encourage Cisco to participate in the VIP." Why wouldn't Microsoft just support true open standards video to inter-operate with existing standards. Lync H.264SVC uses proprietary extensions. Video calling needs to be as simple as a phone call via standards like SIP URI dialing i.e. SIP:john.doe@abc.com without having to federate before I make a call to a non-Lync user.Anonymous
March 20, 2013
If Iwant to interop H264 SVC with lync2013. MCU <--------->lync 2013 server <--------------------> lync2013 clientA As showed above，Lync2013 clientsA and MCU register on lync 2013 server successfully. Then MCU launch a video call with lync2013 clientA。The SIP/SDP signaling of MCU is compiant with [MS-SDPEXT]( Microsoft’s specific implementation of Session Initiation Protocol )。But The SDP signaling which lync 2013 server respond have not H264 SVC. The received media stream of MCU is not H264 SVC。 So，my question is How to interop lync2013 server/client with H264 SVC.? As Showed below is signaling of MCU sended to lync 2013： c=IN IP4 200.54.99.208 t=0 0 m=audio 10012 RTP/AVP 0 97 a=rtpmap:0 PCMU/8000 a=rtpmap:97 telephone-event/8000 a=fmtp:97 0-15 a=encryption:rejected a=sendrecv m=video 10010 RTP/AVP 122 121 123 b=TIAS:7680000 a=x-ssrc-range:101-200 a=rtcp-rsize a=rtcp-fb:* x-message app send:src,x-pli recv:src,x-pli a=x-source-streamid:1000 a=x-source:main-video a=ice-ufrag:Qqal a=ice-pwd:HSFwTPofoPxltvu7s+g55azy a=rtpmap:122 X-H264UC/90000 a=fmtp:122 packetization-mode=1;mst-mode=NI-TC a=rtpmap:121 x-rtvc1/90000 a=x-caps:121 263:1920:1080:30.0:2000000:1;4359:1280:720:30.0:1500000:1;8455:640:480:30.0:600000:1;12551:640:360:30.0:600000:1;16647:352:288:15.0:250000:1;20743:424:240:15.0:250000:1;24839:176:144:15.0:180000:1 a=rtpmap:123 x-ulpfecuc/90000 a=encryption:rejected a=sendrecv a=content:main a=label:main-video m=application 10014 RTP/AVP 100 a=rtpmap:100 H224/4800 a=encryption:rejected a=sendrecvAnonymous
May 22, 2013
I read your blog. Its informative post regarding <a href="www.mycsdsolutions.com ">Microsoft Lync software</a>. Video Interoperability with lync really awesome feature to use in it. This feature comes with now some extra-ordinary function. It work well even in low network signal. Thanks to share this post. For more info about lync,http://www.mycsdsolutions.com.Anonymous
May 29, 2013
Why is it that Cisco needs to conform to the needs of MS-SIP signaling? Why wouldn't we, as consumers, demand that Microsoft drop the idiotic clinging to proprietary signaling methods? Cisco utilizes standards compliant signaling and media for video. MS, get with the game and open your systems. Your implementation of H.264 is a great step, but you fall short in keeping your proprietary signaling. The world doesn't revolve around you. Cisco should not be expected to alter its standards-compliant VCS simply to cater to your whims.Anonymous
June 11, 2013
How far do we take Lync video interoperability for multitenant O365 users? Thx, KarelAnonymous
August 14, 2013
HI Shelly, good article. One query regarding the integration of VCS with Lync 2013. You have mentioned about Minor Modifications on VCS. Where can i find the details of these modifications on the VCS? Could you please provide details on it? Thanks Venkat Dimension Data IndiaAnonymous
November 06, 2013
Once again, MSFT continues it's policy of embrace, extend and extinguish.Anonymous
November 12, 2013
The comment has been removedAnonymous
December 25, 2013
Pingback from Cisco VCS 8.1 update now enables Integration with Lync 2013 in HD. | Refik ??NVER blogAnonymous
June 17, 2015
This is truly an interesting site, bunches of stuff that I can get into. One thing I simply need to say is that your Blog is so great!http://www.trade-guys.co.nz
Auckland electriciansAnonymous
June 21, 2015
That's the wire that I use to associate with the kids watch me and ask questions Shocking in actuality. agen bola m9d
http://bolam9d.comAnonymous
June 22, 2015
I have bookmarked this site and will make certain to check for upgrades. http://kaylaitsines.weebly.comAnonymous
June 25, 2015
This entry gives clear thought inn support of the new customers of blogging, that really how to do running a site.http://www.fitnessexerciseblog.com/Anonymous
July 03, 2015
This was a really great contest and hopefully I can attend the next one. healthy snacks for kids
https://www.pretzeltwinnies.com.au/Anonymous
July 10, 2015
Such an extremely valuable article. Extremely fascinating to peruse this article.I might want to thank you for the endeavors you had made for composing this great article.http://www.jameetperkins.com/hair-loss-protocol-reviewAnonymous
July 13, 2015
The data you give is exceptionally valuable to me.Thank you for sharing it. Unblocked Games At School
https://sites.google.com/site/unblockedgames66Anonymous
July 21, 2015
You're really all around educated and extremely keen. You composed something that individuals could comprehend and made the subject fascinating for everybody.http://thehairlossprotocols.comAnonymous
July 23, 2015
I will completely return to additional times this year! A debt of gratitude is in order for instructive post. 18+ clash of clans village
http://borgacademy.comAnonymous
July 26, 2015
I most likely getting a charge out of each and every bit of it and I have you bookmarked to look at new stuff you post.http://www.axiomdesigns.com/Anonymous
July 28, 2015
This has truly made me think and I would like to peruse more. This site is just excessively wonderful!http://www.tangodance.eu/
tangosAnonymous
August 07, 2015
The comment has been removedAnonymous
August 17, 2015
I was mulling over some of your articles on this webpage and I consider this web website is truly enlightening!http://www.summonerswarhack.team9.orgAnonymous
August 23, 2015
Exceptionally noteworthy Information for us, I have think the representation of this Information is really radiant one.http://bravefrontier.reloaded-xb.com/bravefrontierscript.com/Anonymous
August 25, 2015
I've generally liked posting my shows with you and connecting from my site. http://www.egncity.com/outfit-your-den-with-free-animal-jam-gems/Anonymous
September 09, 2015
You can show it's charming. Your website impression may develop your associates.Truly pleasant and intriguing post.http://bestclashofkinghack.comAnonymous
September 19, 2015
The thought made it less difficult for me a satisfactory bundle. For a decent and more agreeable on this a man's conveyed accessible splendid clear idea.
http://www.loverssite.in/Anonymous
December 04, 2015
The comment has been removed