Cloud PBX with on-premises PSTN connectivity allows companies to leverage their existing Skype for Business Server infrastructure to home users in Skype for Business Online while using their local PSTN breakout.
Recently we received several questions around the requirements for Skype for Business Server versions. While this is documented on TechNet in Prerequisites for using Cloud PBX with on-premises PSTN connectivity, we want to use this article to highlight the requirements regarding server versions. Other requirements are not discussed in this blog article but can be found in the same TechNet article.
Please note that this blog article is specific to leverage Cloud PBX with on-premises PSTN connectivity. If you want to enable “just” hybrid without Cloud PBX, the requirements are not as strict. See TechNet Plan hybrid connectivity between Skype for Business Server and Skype for Business Online for more details.
- The Federation Edge Server pool is the Edge Server pool that is used for your Federation signaling traffic. Even if you don’t have a Federations with other companies, this Edge Server pool is used for the signaling between your on-premises environment and Skype for Business Online. This Edge Server pool must run Skype for Business Server 2015.
- Skype for Business Server 2015 must run at least the March 2016 update – of course we always recommend to deploy the latest updates.
- Other Edge Server pools in your environment can run either Lync Server 2013 or Skype for Business Server 2015.
- The next hop Front End pool of you Federation Edge pool must run Skype for Business Server 2015.
- Other Front End pools in your environment can run Lync Server 2013 or Skype for Business 2015.
- You cannot have any Lync Server 2010 or older in your environment.
So, what should I do if I have…
- Lync Server 2010: upgrade your complete environment to Skype for Business Server 2015.
- Lync Server 2013: upgrade your Federation Edge pool and the next hop Front End pool to Skype for Business Server 2015.
- Skype for Business 2015: nothing, you are ready to go (if you have the minimum required hotfix – see above). :smiling_face_with_smiling_eyes:
Call to action
- Check if your environment meets the requirements for Cloud PBX with on-premises PSTN connectivity.
- If you must upgrade (parts of) your environment, watch the following readiness session: Upgrading Server.
- If you have not established hybrid yet, watch the following readiness session: Hybrid Configuration.
- To learn more about Cloud PBX in general and Cloud PBX with PSTN connectivity, watch the following two sessions: Cloud PBX introduction and Cloud PBX with on premises PSTN connectivity.
- If you have any questions or comments, please discuss with us in our community!
