Introduction

This document provides an outline of the Skype for Business instant messaging and presence (IM&P) configuration for NHSmail. Other service configuration guides will be available for other services at the point of release.

Skype for Business IM&P enables users to send instant messages to other users of NHSmail. Presence management provides users with information on the availability of other users (e.g. Available, busy, away); allowing them to determine an appropriate time to send an instant message. IM&P is primarily targeted as a tool for short conversations between users to complement other communications means such as email and telephone.

This document is intended for the following audiences:

• Local Administrators (LAs)
•  IT Managers

Access & Client Support

Users can access instant messaging (IM) via a desktop client or mobile application. This section outlines the supported clients and the specific requirements for installing desktop clients. For guidance on installing clients, you should refer to the Microsoft Office deployment guides.

Microsoft recommends using the latest 3 versions of client software for optimum performance and user experience where possible. At the point of release of this document (September 2016) these versions are Skype for Business 2016, Skype for Business 2015 and Lync 2013.

Skype for Business 2016 Full / Basic Client

Instant messaging and presence can be accessed via the Skype for Business desktop client. The desktop client provides a richer user experience and additional features that are outlined in Section 3.

Microsoft offer a ‘Full’ and ‘Basic’ Skype for Business Desktop client. For IM&P, there are no differences in the functionality offered. There are some additional features offered by the ‘Full’ client for audio and video conferencing that will be outlined in a configuration guide prior to the release of audio and video conferencing. The ‘Basic’ client is license-free and the installation files can be found on the Microsoft website.

The installation requirements are the same for both clients and are outlined below:

 

Skype for Business 2015, Lync 2013 Full / Basic Client

The installation requirements for ‘Full’ and ‘Basic’ versions of Skype for Business 2015 and Lync 2013 are outlined below:

Mobile Clients

Skype for Business is supported on the following mobile platforms:

•  Windows Phone (Requires versions upwards of 8.1)
•  iOS (Requires versions upwards of iOS 8.1
• Android (Requires versions upwards of 4.0)
•  Lync 2010 available for users of legacy mobile device operating systems

Macintosh Clients

Microsoft Lync for Mac 2011 is available on Apple Mac workstations. The following is
currently supported:

•  Mac OS 10.5.8 or equivalent latest service pack/release
• Please note, Mac OS 10.9 is currently not supported.

Instant Messaging and Presence Desktop Features

This section describes the features relating to IM&P that are available on the NHSmail Service for desktop clients.

Feature Support with Microsoft Office

The following features are available only with Office 2010, Office 2013, or Office 2016:

• Contact card with expanded options, such as video call and desktop sharing
• Quick search from the Find a Contact field in Outlook
• Reply with an IM or call from the Outlook Home ribbon in the Mail, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks folders
• Skype for Business Contacts list in Outlook To-Do Bar
• Office Backstage (File tab) presence status, program sharing, and file transfer
  Presence menu extensibility

Instant Messaging Support

Presence and Contacts Support

Desktop Client Access Requirements

This section describes the requirements for clients to be able to access the NHSmail Skype for Business service. The following should be completed and confirmed as successful in order to validate connectivity at a site. At sites where a wireless network is configured, the following should be completed for both wired and wireless networks. Local Administrators or IT Managers should decide the level of checks for the following as these tests are not required on a per uses basis.

Name Resolution while using N3 Network

This section is relevant to locations which are connected to the Skype for Business service using N3. Using NSLOOKUP, or a similar name resolution tool, validate the following names are being resolved via the N3 network using N3 DNS Servers:

• lyncdiscoverinternal.nhs.net

Firewall Ports / Rules while using N3 Network

This section is relevant to locations which are connected to the Skype for Business service using the N3. The following access should be allowed to use the service. Please note these ports may be blocked by different devices / software (e.g. Perimeter firewall, Windows Firewall or 3rd party firewalls running on client desktops):

Name Resolution while using the Internet

This section is relevant to locations which are connected to the Skype for Business service using the internet. Using NSLOOKUP, or a similar name resolution tool, validate the following names are being resolved via the N3 network using N3 DNS Servers:

•  lyncdiscover.nhs.net
•  sip.nhs.net

Firewall Ports / Rules while using the Internet

This section is relevant to locations which are connected to the Skype for Business service using the internet. The following access should be allowed to use the services which are being hosted on the subnets specified in the destination field:

Certificate Requirements

NHSmail uses Public Certificates issued by GlobalSign. GlobalSign Certificate Authority Root Certificate is present in Windows operating systems. Please refer to GlobalSign Certificate Authority Root support pages for further information.

Desktop Client Software and Versions

The following section lists the minimum supported software versions for the clients that will connect to the NHSmail Skype for Business service. You can confirm which version of your Skype for Business / Lync Client you are using by selecting the “About” option from the help menu.