February 2015 Lync Client/Server Update

Microsoft quietly released the Lync Client and Server CU for February 2015 and perhaps with good reason; little to nothing appears to have been added to Lync other than a not quite functioning correctly  CsClientPolicy setting EnableSkypeUI. The policy is designed to allow a Lync 2013 server admin to preserve the look and feel of the Lync client after the 'Skype' CU has been delivered either automatically via O365, via Windows Update, or via the system administrator. By default this value is $NULL which SHOULD equate to ‘Use the Lync UI’ but instead it defaults to ‘Use the Skype UI’. Setting the value to $FALSE will force the Lync UI and in future client releases (read that as RTM) the feature will work as expected.

Missing/odd features is definitely not a reason to apply a patch and since it has been 30 days since the release with no known/major issues I would say all is good. The patch does update Core, Server, RGS, Management, and Web Components as well as databases.

There are a few database upgrades required for the backend databases (QoE), and for the CMS (assuming you are up-to-date (i.e. since December 2014)). It is interesting that Microsoft is calling out the sequence with more vigor and I cannot stress enough how important it is to make sure your databases match your CU level or ‘bad things happen.’  We discuss over and over how to check upgrade readiness as well the database upgrade methods so if you are unclear, review previous posts here.

Product

Version

KBs

Download

Lync Server 2013

5.0.8308.872

2809243

MS Download

 

 

 

 

Lync 2013 Client 32-bit

15.0.4693.1001

2920744

MS Download

Lync 2013 Client 64-bit

15.0.4693.1001

2920744

MS Download

 

Additional Notes:
Lync Server 2010 build number is 4.0.7577.709

Lync 2010 Client build number is 4.0.7577.4446

Lync Server 2013 build number is 5.0.8308.872

Lync 2013 Client build number is 15.0.4693.1001

Lync Group Chat build number is 4.0.7577. 4409

Lync Group Chat Server build number 4.0.7577.4409

Lync Group Chat Admin build number 4.0.7577.4409

Lync Attendee build number is 4.0.7577.4382

Lync Attendant build number is 4.0.7577.4098

Lync Phone Editions build number is 4.0.7577.4455
Lync Phone Edition (Tanjay) build number is 4.0.7577.4451
Lync for Mac 2011 build number is 14.0.10

Lync 2010 for Windows Phone build number 4.3.8120.0

Lync 2010 for iPhone build number 4.7

Lync 2010 for iPad build number 4.7
Lync 2010 for Android build number 4.0.6509.3001

Lync 2013 for Windows Phone build number 5.8.1327.0

Lync 2013 for iPad build number 5.6

Lync 2013 for iPhone build number 5.6

Lync 2013 for Android build number 5.5.3.8935
Lync 2013 for Android tablet build number 5.5.3.8919

Lync Basic 2013 build number is 15.0.4420.1017
Lync VDI 2013 build number is 15.0.4420.1017

Microsoft has released August 2014 CU for Lync Phone Edition

I had blogged earlier about the release of the August CUs for LPE, but wanted to test the updates a little and see how the new features within the updates worked (i.e. the lock feature). This took longer than I expected and frankly the majority of the wait was my time getting back to the keyboard but…

What was found is logical yet unfortunate. Prior to the current firmware and Server CU there was a client policy setting (Set-CsClientPolicy) DisableHandsetOnLockedMachine which did nothing. The intent was that the phone would make the phone inoperable minus the emergency calling configuration. For those that tested and then left the setting alone, by installing the latest updates for BOTH the phone and the server nothing happened.

However, if you use a Tanjay/Aries based phone AND you enable the DisableHandsetOnLockedMachine setting it to TRUE then when the phone is locked (by PC or if standalone by timeout) the ability to make calls outbound are removed. A nice error is displayed on the phone due to restrictions (much better than just a failed call message). Yeah for team Tanjay/Aries…but what about 3PIP phones?

  

Well unfortunately the policy feature only works today with the current Aries phones and it does nothing to the desktop client – it only applies to Lync Phone Edition (LPE) devices. That means should you have executives, conference rooms, etc. that have unrestricted calling options where others do not, the fear of afterhours use of phones inappropriately is squashed. All in all this is a good thing although it would be nice if the feature applied to 3PIP phones as well – but that’s up to the manufactures of those devices.

Product

Version

KBs

Download

Lync Phone Edition (for Aastra 6721ip and Aastra 6725ip)

4.0.7577.4451

2988177

MS Download

Lync Phone Edition (for HP 4110 and HP 4120)

4.0.7577.4451

2988178

MS Download

Lync Phone Edition (for Polycom CX500, Polycom CX600, and Polycom CX3000)

4.0.7577.4451

2988181

MS Download

Lync Phone Edition for Polycom CX700 and LG-Nortel IP Phone 8540

4.0.7577.4451

2988182

MS Download


Additional Notes:
Lync Server 2010 build number is 4.0.7577.230
Lync 2010 Client build number is 4.0.7577.4445
Lync Server 2013 build number is 5.0.8308.738
Lync 2013 Client build number is 15.0.4605.1003

Lync Group Chat build number is 4.0.7577. 4409
Lync Group Chat Server build number 4.0.7577.4409
Lync Group Chat Admin build number 4.0.7577.4409

Lync Attendee build number is 4.0.7577.4356
Lync Attendant build number is 4.0.7577.4098
Lync Phone Editions build number is 4.0.7577.4451
Lync Phone Edition (Tanjay) build number is 4.0.7577.4451

Lync 2010 for Windows Phone build number 4.3.8120.0
Lync 2010 for iPhone build number 4.7
Lync 2010 for iPad build number 4.7
Lync 2010 for Android build number 4.0.6509.3001

Lync 2013 for Windows Phone build number 5.4.1087.0
Lync 2013 for iPad build number 5.4
Lync 2013 for iPhone build number 5.4
Lync 2013 for Android build number 5.4
Lync 2013 for Android tablets build number 5.4

Lync Basic 2013 build number is 15.0.4420.1017
Lync VDI 2013 build number is 15.0.4420.1017