Microsoft Lync Server 2010 : Enterprise Voice - Network Configuration - Network Regions, Network Sites, Network Subnets

The first step in configuring the three advanced Enterprise Voice features of Call Admission Control, Media Bypass, and Enhanced 911 is to define the network configuration. Each of these features relies on the network configuration to work correctly. The following section explains how to create the necessary network objects before configuring any of the advanced features.

Network Regions

A network region in Lync Server 2010 is generally a large area that encompasses a number of network sites. These are the hubs or backbones of the network. Each region is associated with a central site where a Lync Server 2010 Front End pool exists.

Use the following steps to create a new network region.

1.	Open the Lync Server 2010 Control Panel.
2.	Click Network Configuration.
3.	Click Region.
4.	Click the New button.
5.	Enter a Name for the region.
6.	Select a Central Site for the region. This is a site in the topology containing Lync Servers.
7.	Select Enable audio alternate path if this region allows audio traffic to use alternative routes.
8.	Select Enable video alternate path if this region allows video traffic to use alternative routes.
9.	Click Commit. Network sites can be associated at a later time. A sample Network Region definition is displayed in Figure 1. Figure 1. Network Region

Alternatively, a new network region can be created with the Lync Server Management Shell:

New-CSNetworkRegion –Identity <Network Region Name> -CentralSite <Lync Site
Name> -Description <Region Description> -AudioAlternatePath <$True|$False>
–VideoAlternatePath <$True|$False>

Network Sites

A network site represents a particular office location that can be a main headquarters, a branch office, or a collection of buildings in a campus. Network sites typically have similar bandwidth and each site is then associated with a network region. The central site defined for the region is typically included as a site in the region because it is not done automatically.

Use the following steps to create a new network site:

Alternatively, a new network site can be created with the Lync Server Management Shell:

New-CSNetworkSite –NetworkSiteID <Site Name> -Description <Description of
site> -NetworkRegionID <Name of region to associate site with>

Network Subnets

Network subnets in Lync Server 2010 are the glue that binds a client connection to a specific network site, and region. When a Lync client performs an action that requires network awareness, the client IP address is examined and then used to determine the appropriate action based on the associated policies with the endpoint subnet.

Use the following steps to create a new network site:

Alternatively, a new network site can be created with the Lync Server Management Shell:

New-CSNetworkSubnet –SubnetID <Network Address> -MaskBits <Number of bits in
subnet mask> -NetworkSiteID <Associated network site>


					  

After network regions, sites, and subnets have been created in the deployment, Call Admission Control, Enhanced 911, and Media Bypass can be configured.