This is an extension of Step by step Skype for Business Server Standard Edition deployment, covers Archiving and Monitoring Server deployment for Standard Edition Server. This post does not cover Call Quality Dashboard.

Archiving server creates Lcslog database to store instant messaging and conferencing data while monitoring server create CDR (call details record) and QoE (quality of experience) databases. Therefore to start with the deployment process, first deploy SQL Server Standard Edition for archiving and monitoring server databases. Features which you need to select are given below:

• Database Engine Services
• Reporting Services – Native
• Management Tools – Basic
  • Management Tools – Complete

Once you are done with SQL server deployment, configure SQL server. By default SQL server uses dynamic port for deployed instance, it is better to use static port.

Open Sql server configuration Manager.

 

Go to the SQL Server Network Configuration > Protocols for “Instance” > Go to the TCP/IP Properties > Select “IP Address” tab and scroll down

 

Remove TCP Dynamic Ports and assign static TCP Port such as 1433 > Apply > OK

 

Go to the SQL Server Services > Restart “SQL Server (Instance)” service.

 

You can expect below error while publishing topology or installing databases if don’t create any rules or disable windows firewall.

Either create firewall rules to open required ports and protocols or disable windows firewall. To disable Windows firewall is not a best practice for production environment. Create Inbound and Outbound firewall rules as given below:

Inbound

Allow Port 80, 443 – TCP and UDP

Allow Port 1433 – TCP

Allow Port 1434 – UDP

Enable Firewall rules which already exists.

Outbound

Allow Port 80, 443 – TCP and UDP

Turn on network discovery & file and printer sharing.

Now, you are done with SQL server configuration.

 

Go to the Skype for Business Server Standard Edition and open Topology Builder.

 

Go to the Standard Edition Server.

 

Right click on SE server and Edit Properties.

 

Select Archiving Server.

 

Click on New to add SQL Server.

 

Write SQL Server FQDN and Instance Name.

 

Now, Select Monitoring Server and drop down for SQL Server. Click OK.

 

Now Publish Topology.

 

Click on Next.

 

Select database.

 

Select database and click on Advance if you want to change database file location. In my case, I am going with default.

 

It will create databases for archiving and monitoring.

Once it is completed successfully, click on Finish.

 

Now, open Skype for Business Server 2015 Deployment Wizard. Click on Deploy Monitoring Report and follow the steps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you are done with the process, you can use monitoring repots or can enable/create archiving policies based on your requirements.

Done J