Do not use Remote Desktop Console (RDC) on Contact Center products running on Windows 2003 platforms until further notice.
February 3rd, 2010
Background:
Remote Desktop Console connections create new socket connections between the new request and the server. During
this process, all socket connections are re-created
Analysis:
Creation of Remote Desktop Console connection produces socket level blockages on Windows 2003.
When a Remote Desktop Console connection is created to a Windows 2003 server, it causes brief period of inactivity on
the sockets. This in turn leads to system wide blockages on the server.
The side affect of the above scenario on CCMS is the possibility of TSM link congestion or SYS_TEN timeouts.
Recommendations:
Use other options to access the server (i.e. access it directly or use PcAnywhere).
Limit the use of Remote Desktop console connections to periods of low call traffic
Required Actions:
None. A case is currently open with Microsoft on this issue
Windows XP SP 2 Support Ending July 12
January 20th, 2010Windows XP SP2 & Windows Vista RTM End of Support Information
There are a number of Microsoft support lifecycle milestones on July 13th 2010. We need to make sure customers are aware of the milestones and plan system and OS deployments to ensure that they maintain access to Microsoft support and updates.
Windows XP SP2 will no longer be the supported service pack level for Windows XP computers. Customers running Windows XP SP2 or a previous version of the OS will need to upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 3 (or Windows 7).
Windows Vista RTM will no longer be supported. Customers running Windows Vista RTM should upgrade to
Windows Vista SP2. (or Windows 7).
Extended support will end for Windows 2000 Server and Professional. Customers running Windows 2000 need to migrate to a supported version of Windows in order to receive updates or support.
In many cases the cost in time and effort for migrating to a new service pack will justify business and consumer interest in migration to Windows 7.
Important Dates
Product End of Mainstream Support End of Extended Support
Windows XP SP2 July 13, 2010
Windows Vista RTM July 13, 2010
Windows 2000 Professional SP4 July 13, 2010
Windows 2000 Server SP4 July 13, 2010
What is End of Support?
Support or the product ends. The Microsoft® Support Lifecycle (MSL) provides predictable and consistent support timelines for Microsoft products, to customers worldwide. The Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy offers a minimum of:
Ten years of support (five years Mainstream Support and five years Extended Support) at the supported service pack level for Microsoft Business and Developer products.
Five years of Mainstream Support at the supported service pack level for Microsoft
Consumer/Hardware/Multimedia products.
Note:
Mainstream and Extended Support is ONLY provided at the supported service pack level. Microsoft will support products running at the latest Service Pack level and the prior Service Pack level, 24 months after the release of the latest Service Pack.
Mainstream Support Phase
Mainstream Support is the first phase of the product support lifecycle. At the supported service pack level,
Mainstream Support includes:
Incident support (no-charge incident support, paid incident support, support charged on an hourly basis,support for warranty claims)
Security update support
The ability to request non-security hotfixes
Extended Support Phase
The Extended Support phase is available after the Mainstream Support phase ends for Business and Developer products only. At the supported service pack level, Extended Support includes:
Security update support at no additional cost
Non-security related hotfix support if the customer has purchased a separate Extended Hotfix Support agreement (per-fix fees also apply).
Extended support does not include:
Requests for warranty support, design changes, or new features.
Support for Consumer, Hardware, or Multimedia products.
What do my customers need to do?
If your customer has Windows XP SP2 currently deployed then they need to migrate to Windows XP SP3.
Customers running Windows Vista RTM should migrate to Windows Vista SP2. In many cases the cost in time and effort for migrating to a new service pack will justify business and consumer interest in migration to Windows 7.
Windows XP customers should use Microsoft Update or Automatic Updates to download and install
Windows XP SP3. SP3 can be downloaded from Microsoft Update at http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate.
Windows Vista customers should use Windows Update to download and install Windows Vista SP2.
Service Packs may not be available through Windows Update on Windows Vista computers until other available updates have been installed. Customers will need to separately install SP1 before installing SP2.
If your customer is running Windows 2000 Server or Professional edition then they need to migrate to Windows
Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7.
Customers who want to migrate to Windows 7 should be provided with the following information:
The Windows Upgrade Advisor will scan a PC and identify if the system meets Windows 7 system requirements. The scan will identify known compatibility issues with hardware, devices, and currently installed applications. It will also provide guidance on what needs to be done prior to migration.
Detailed information about the available Windows 7 editions and how to buy Windows 7. Windows XP customers can purchase Windows 7 using upgrade licensing but it cannot be upgraded in place.
Customers who wish to perform the upgrade themselves can use this tutorial.
Please begin speaking with your customers who are currently on Windows XP SP2 today. They need to be aware of their available options, and this is an opportunity to have a Windows 7 deployment discussion.
Avaya/Nortel Roadmap January 19th
January 18th, 2010|
We’re announcing the new Avaya/Nortel Enterprise Solutions Integrated Roadmap
We are pleased to announce that Avaya has completed the acquisition of Nortel Enterprise Solutions and Nortel Government Solutions. By combining the offerings and the expertise of these two companies, we’ll be delivering innovation more quickly—with a powerful commitment to help your business grow. Join us on January 19th at 1pm EST as we reveal our new technology roadmap. This one—hour virtual event will include:
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Manufacture Discontinuation of IP 2000 series phonesets
December 31st, 2009On November 3, 2008, Nortel announced their plan to Manufacture Discontinue the IP 2000 phoneset series and recommended customers consider the appropriate product offerings for their phone system. On November 12th, VOX announced to it’s customer base via this support site. As of today, the IP 2000 series phonesets are now Manufacture Discontinued. Nortel and VOX Network Solutions will continue to provide all possible support, but replacement of damaged or defective units will occur only while supplies last.
To receive a quote for IP 2000 series phoneset replacement, please contact your VOX Account Manager. If you do not have a VOX Account Manager, please contact Nancy Price via email or by calling 650-989-1015.
CallPilot Server Security Update - October
October 16th, 2009
CallPilot Server Security Bulletin 2009-0001-Rev9
October 14th, 2009Gartner Magic Quadrant Updated
October 5th, 2009Gartner updated the Unified Communications magic quadrant in September.
http://www.gartner.com/technology/media-products/reprints/microsoft/vol7/article3/article3.html
Vox and Avaya
October 5th, 2009To our Valued Customers:
As you know, Nortel and Avaya, in conjunction with the courts, announced that Avaya is the winning bidder for Nortel’s Enterprise division.
Rather than wait on the side lines to see what transpires, VOX has been working diligently to support our Nortel customers and insure that their infrastructure investment will be protected and supported moving forward.
To that end, I am pleased to tell you that VOX is now an official Avaya distributor and we have excellent relationships with the entire Avaya management team. We have already begun interfacing with Avaya to gain a better understanding of what the sale means and will share this information with you on an ongoing basis. The major items we have been addressing with Avaya are product road maps and sales and technical support plans. Based upon our conversations, Avaya understands how critical this information is to our customers.
According to IDC, a telecommunications industry analyst evaluating the Nortel sale to Avaya, “each company’s next-generation products are highly complementary, while the bulk of overlap exists in legacy product lines. Nortel’s customers can be assured that like Nortel, Avaya’s road map seeks to be as hardware agnostic as possible, and IDC expects Avaya-Nortel to seek out areas of interoperability with every relevant vendor and standard in the market. Both Avaya and Nortel customers should expect little disruption on this front.”
Our discussions confirm that AVAYA’s Aura Technology will be a key ingredient for migrating the two platforms and creating a cohesive product road map for both Nortel and Avaya customers moving forward. If you are interested in receiving an executive briefing on the Aura roadmap, please contact your VOX account manager.
On behalf of all of us at VOX, I want to thank you for your continued partnership during this challenging time. While Nortel and Avaya will continue to operate as competitors until the deal is closed, VOX is committed to working with both the Avaya and Nortel management teams and will continue to share information with you as it develops.
If there are any questions regarding this information please conact Nancy Price nprice@voxns.com
Microsoft Business Productivity Online
September 29th, 2009Vox is announcing availability of the Microsoft Online Services. Below you will find a link that you can use to initiate a free 30 day trial. The Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite includes:
Hosted Microsoft Exchange 2007
Hosted Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007
Hosted Live Meeting 2007
Hosted Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007
** Business Productivity Online Standard Suite **
Sign up for a 30-day trial! This trial includes 20 user licenses for Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Office Live Meeting, and Office Communications Online
Move your business to the cloud and save money!
Please contact Chad McGreanor at Vox Network Solutions if anyone has any questions:
