Office Communications Server 2007 R2 to Lync Server 2010 Migration Guidance

Customers currently running Office Communications Server 2007 R2 that are considering making the jump to Lync Server 2010 can download a free migration whitepaper from Microsoft. Available through the Download Center, “Migrating from Office Communications Server 2007 R2 to Lync Server 2010” is a resource for which the title is rather self-explanatory.

While it is indeed focused on the migration process, the guide covers a few scenarios, including the actual migration, but also upgrading and coexistence of the two communications solutions.

“This guide provides information specific to upgrading your existing deployment. It does not explain how to change your existing topology.

“This guide does not cover the implementation of new features. When a detailed procedure is documented elsewhere, this guide directs you to the appropriate document or document section,” Microsoft explained.

The software giant also made available a video designed to offer an overview of the OCS 2007 to Lync 2010 migration steps.

Customers will be able to watch it embedded at the bottom of this article, and in fact, the Redmond company recommends that the video be watched ahead of accessing the guidance.

As I’ve said, there are a few scenarios covered in the documentation provided by Microsoft, including

“Migration - Moving your production deployment from a previous version of Office Communications Server to Lync Server 2010.

Upgrade - Installing a newer version of software on a server or client computer.

Coexistence - The temporary environment that exists during migration when some functionality has been migrated to Lync Server 2010 and other functionality still remains on a prior version of Office Communications Server.

Interoperability - The ability of your deployment to operate successfully during the period of coexistence.”

Of course, every migration must start with a planning and evaluation process. And Microsoft has made it rather simple for new customers to download and test drive Lync 2010.

With the recent RTM milestone of Lync 2010, the Redmond company also provided a range of free downloads designed to streamline evaluation of the new unified communications offering.