Office Communications Server 2007 - Beta to Public Preview Part 1

A little background - I have been involved in every RTC (real time communications) beta since it's first inception at Microsoft.  That includes the beta for the original Live Communications Server 2003, 2005, 2005 SP1, and now 2007.  I was a huge fan of every one one of these builds, but, every one of these builds left out a few key pieces of functionality that myself and many other beta testers begged for with each new beta.  Well, thankfully, our plea's have been mostly answered in Office Communications Server 2007.

Previous Builds Primary Functionality/What it lacked;

LCS 2003;

Features - Provided real time encrypted instant messaging with file transfer and Audio/Video conferencing (albeit very limited) via the Windows Messenger client.  This was actually pretty nice because it could sign in to both a Windows Live account, and a LCS account via the same client simultaneously.  It also had the ability to archive instant messages, as well as some basic IM real time filtering capabilities.  Ability to have IM traffic go over port 443 (standard SSL port) through external firewall through some manual changes.

Drawbacks - All functionality other than IM could not traverse NAT'd networks (network address translation).  (That includes file transfer, A/V (audio/video) conferencing, etc.)  Also, there is no multi-point A/V.  (The ability to have a video conference with more than 1 person at once.)

LCS 2005;

Features - Provided everything that LCS 2003 provided, except it provided a new LCS client, Communicator, with some upgrades to automatic client configuration, more advanced customization options in the client, and basic telephony integration, as well as back end upgrades.  Also, you can Federate your LCS server with other companies LCS servers, for a fully encrypted, cross company IM session.  Much easier to make standard IM traffic go over port 443 (standard SSL port) and ability to automatically configure the client to use this port, rather than having to enter it manually.

Drawbacks - Unfortunately, the exact same drawbacks as LCS 2003, with an additional, somewhat controversial drawback.  You could no longer sign into a Live account via the Communicator client.  Now, this is an advantage in the sense that Office IM should be just Office IM, and you don't have people IM'img someone on their list, thinking it will be encrypted and it's not, which leads us to LCS 2005 SP1.

LCS 2005 SP1;

Features - Now provides connectivity with the primary public IM clouds, such as MSN, Yahoo, and AOL instant messengers.  While encrypted to the public IM server, the IM's become exposed from the public IM server down to the public client, thus it's not encrypted all the way through.  It does however, allow you IM ability to public IM clients, and allows corporations to log public IM's to check for confidential information being sent across un-secured channels, as well as abuse.

Drawbacks - Again, still no multi-point A/V, still cannot traverse NAT's for advanced features, etc.

And now, Office Communications Server 2007;

Office Communications Server 2007 started out with the beta code name "Wave12" and started accepting outside participants at Beta 2.  Some of the touted new features were the addition of a 'Live Meeting' server.  Those of you who aren't familiar with this, Microsoft purchased a company called 'Placeware' in 2003, and built upon their already existing service.  This service is called 'Live Meeting' and provides the ability to do web conferencing, including multi-point audio/video that traverses NAT's, provides application, white board sharing, etc.  You would pay a fee per month for a number of sessions, and you, as well as your other parties would go to livemeeting.com where it would install a client, and you and your participants would connect to a Microsoft server to host your meeting.  It's a fantastic service that, from my personal experience, has worked far better than it's competitors.  Needless to say, when rumors came out about a corporate version of 'Live Meeting' I, and many others were very excited.  We didn't realize that it would become part of the LCS (Live Communications Server) family, but it's a perfect fit.  In a newer build of Communicator coming out shortly, you'll even be able to promote an IM conversation straight into a Live Meeting, which is a fantastic add-on!  The Communicator client has been updated, as well as MOCWA (Microsoft Office Communicator Web Access, a web based version of Communicator, similar to the purpose of Outlook Web Access) which is vastly easier to get up and running and works fantastically, and is also included with the server install for the first time.  The 'edge' server component of Office Communications Server has been vastly updated as well as the backend to not only support the new 'Live Meeting' added infrastructure, but is far easier to configure, even including a wizard to configure your certificates.  (This has been a big setup issue on the past for many admins.)  Additionally, you can configure all your 'edge' communications (OCS traffic going in and out of your external firewall) to go over port 443, the standard SSL port, thus preventing complications with companies who restrict their outbound ports, not just their internal ports on their firewall.

OCS 2007 Features;

Server Backend Upgrades;
Much easier to install/configure, including certificate wizards
Includes MOCWA by default (which is now much easier to install/configure, and it works better, and includes the new look.)
Improved functionality, such as logging, IM filtering, addon support, etc.
Edge Server Improvements (much easier to configure, and allows for all edge traffic over port 443.)

Live meeting features;
ability to record meetings
share documents
multipoint A/V
panorama cameras support
share desktop
share applications
Q&A
Raise Hand
Private IM's within meeting.
traverse's firewalls/NAT
Live Meeting client integration with Outlook (allows for direct creation and invitation of Live Meetings, adds to people's calendars, includes instructions, help, etc.)
Ability to still connect to Microsoft service if need be.
Corporate policies to determine who can host meetings, and provide what types of content, etc.

Office Communicator Features;
Upgraded look and feel
Better address book functionality, easier to configure and make work correctly
Integrates with Outlook 2007
Better search ability for contacts
Ability to add contact groups on the back end
Advanced Presence information  (This contains not only multiple colors to more easily determine status, but has a 'moon phase' effect to show how long they've been in that status.  I've been running this in practice for months, and it is far more useful than you might think.)
Interface is much easier to use.
One Note Integration
Ability to set 'subject' for IM window.

In the next part of this review, I'll post many screen shots and demonstrate the power in OCS 2007.  Stay tuned!