Microsoft Lync Support

Microsoft Lync is the latest unified communications solution from Microsoft that facilitates online collaboration through rich features such as Instant Messaging (IM), Presence, AV/Web Conferencing, Whiteboarding, Desktop Sharing, Application Sharing and File Transfers. Lync is available for both Windows and Mac platforms.

• Getting Started |
• Microsoft Lync for Windows |
• Communicator for the Mac |
• Usability |
• Online Meetings |
• Sametime Users |
• Known Issues

Getting Started

1. What platforms are supported?
   • Windows:
     Operating System: Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP SP3
     Processor: Intel Pentium 4, AMD Athlon 64, or equivalent
     Memory: Windows 7 or Windows Vista: 2 GB
     Video memory: 128 MB
     Windows XP SP3: 1GB
     Voice: Compatible microphone and speakers
   • Mac:
     Operating System: Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later
     Processor: Intel-based
     Memory: 1GB
     Video: memory: 64 MB
     Voice: Compatible microphone and speakers
     Web Browser Safari 5
2. How do I obtain the Microsoft Lync client?
   Microsoft Lync for Windows is available to all faculty and staff on NUnet computers via Add/Remove Programs. See the Lync Installation page for install directions.For non-NUnet computers Microsoft Lync for Windows is available via myNEU Software Downloads. See the Lync Installation (Non-NUnet computers) page for install directions.

   ** It’s important that non-NUnet users download and install the latest patch. **
   Download the patch here

3. How do I obtain the Communicator for Mac?
   Communicator for Mac is distributed with Office 2011. If you do not already have Office 2011 you may obtain it by contacting the IS Help Desk at x4357 or help@neu.edu.Communicator for Mac 2011 is also available via myNEU Software Downloads See the Communicator Installation page for install directions.

   **Once Communicator is installed it is important that you check for updates. An issue exists in version 13.0.0 that will prevent you from logging in.**

4. What username and password do I use to login?
   You login using your NUnet password (e.g. nunetu.name). This is the password used on Northeastern IS managed computers. You can reset this password by logging into myNEU and selecting the my profile icon.
5. Why can’t I search the directory to add contacts?
   The Microsoft Lync client retrieves a copy of the NU directory every 60 minutes. Upon logging in for the first time, you may have to wait up to 60 minutes before you will be able to search for contacts by their first and last names. However, while the address book is loading, you can still search for users if you know their primary e-mail address.
6. Who can I contact if I have more questions?
   Please contact the IS Help Line at (617)373-4357 (xHELP) or help@neu.edu for more information

Microsoft Lync on Windows

1. How do I disable Microsoft Lync from starting automatically when I login to Windows?
   • Tools->Options
   • Select Personal
   • De-Select Automatically start Lync when I log on to Windows

   

2. Where can I get more information about Lync for Windows?
   Click on a link below for specific information (videos):
   • Add a note
   • Add a contact
   • Tag a contact
   • Send an Instant Message
   • Share your desktop
   • Share a PowerPoint Presentation

Communicator for the Mac

1. Why can’t I add server groups to my Communicator 2011 client?
   Communicator does not support server-side groups.
2. Where can I get more information about Communicator?
   Click on a link below for specific information:
   • Add or delete a contact
   • Organize contacts by groups or online status
   • Keyboard Shortcuts for Communicator
   • Keyboard shortcuts for emoticons
   • Check for software updates to Communicator automatically
   • Save and view a conversation history
   • How-to Share a desktop
   • Set your status
   • Status Options for Communicator

Usability

1. Is Microsoft Lync accessible off-campus?
   Yes. Microsoft Lync is accessible off-campus.
2. Are there any limitations to the number of contacts or groups I may add to my contact list?
   Groups are limited to 30 and contacts are limited to 250.
3. What are activity feeds?
   Lync’s Activity Feed displays your contacts, their current status (“Heading to a meeting”) messages and their availability.
4. How long will my instant message conversations be saved to my email?
   Instant messages are not saved by default. If you save an instant message conversation to Outlook, it will remain in the Conversation History folder for 90 days.
5. Are there any 3rd party Instant Message clients that support Microsoft Lync?
   Currently, there are no supported third party instant messaging clients that support Microsoft Lync. However, it is expected they will become available.
6. Can I access Microsoft Lync from a mobile device?
   At this time mobile devices are not supported. However, support for such devices is planned for 2011. More details will be provided as soon as they become available.
7. Can I sign on to Microsoft Lync from multiple clients simultaneously?
   Yes, you can be signed onto multiple clients simultaneously.

Online Meetings

1. How to Create an online meeting request
2. How to Start an unscheduled online meeting or conference call
3. Can external users participate in online meetings?
   Yes external users can participate

Sametime Users

1. Is there a way to migrate my contacts to Microsoft Lync or Communicator 2011?
   No. There is no way to import/export your contacts to Lync. However, existing server side Sametime groups may be already available to Windows Lync users. Please perform a directory search to verify.

Known Issues

1. File Transfers
   There currently exists an issue with file transfers when either the sender or the recipient is using Communicator for Mac. Information Services is actively working with Microsoft to find the root cause of the issue and get it resolved.

Resolution
At this time, the issue has not been resolved.

2. Address Book Error
   Some users who participated in the initial Lync pilot may experience an issue where they receive an error in Lync saying “Cannot Synchronize Address Book Information.” This error is the result of a configuration update that was made during the pilot phase of the Lync implementation.

Resolution
Windows XP
Close the Lync client (File>Exit) then navigate to “C:Documents and Settingsu.nameLocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftCommunicatorsip_u.name@neu.edu” (where “u.name” is your user name). In that directory are two files that need to be deleted. The files are GalContacts.db and GalContacts.db.idx. Once those files have been deleted, restart your Lync client and within an hour, the local address book will be regenerated and the error will cease to occur.

Windows 7
Close the Lync client (File>Exit) then navigate to  “C:Usersu.nameAppDataLocalMicrosoftCommunicatorsip_u.name@neu.edu” (where “u.name” is your user name). In that directory are two files that need to be deleted. The files are GalContacts.db and GalContacts.db.idx. Once those files have been deleted, restart your Lync client and within an hour, the local address book will be regenerated and the error will cease to occur.