skype for business server 2019 preview deployment guide · click on the “download topology from...

Skype for Business Server 2019 Preview Deployment Guide

11/08/2018

Plan Deploy Test

Skype for Business Server 2019 Deployment Guide Document by Tech24online.com

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Table of Contents Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 3

Bit of background .......................................................................................................................... 3

Skype for Business 2019 Preview requirements ........................................................................... 3

Hardware ................................................................................................................................... 3

Software ..................................................................................................................................... 4

Infrastructure .............................................................................................................................. 4

Active Directory .......................................................................................................................... 4

DNS ........................................................................................................................................... 4

Certificates ................................................................................................................................. 4

Lab at Tech24online ...................................................................................................................... 5

Server System Preparation ........................................................................................................... 6

Administrative Tool Installation ......................................................................................................... 8

Topology Changes .......................................................................................................................... 14

Adding Skype for Business Server 2019 ..................................................................................... 16

Installing Skype for Business Server 2019 Software ....................................................................... 35

Step 1: Install Local Configuration Store ..................................................................................... 37

Step 2: Setup or Remove Skype for Business Server Components ............................................ 41

Step 3: Request, Install or Assign Certificates ............................................................................. 43

Step 4: Starting Services ............................................................................................................. 50


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Introduction In this section, we are going to cover step-by-step deployment of Skype for Business Server 2019 Public

Preview edition.

Bit of background

Microsoft has recently released Skype for Business Server 2019 Public Preview.

Few amazing new features have been added to this release:

• Cloud Voicemail

• Call Data Connector

• Side-by-side migration

• Migration to Teams

Please refer https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/whats-new

Stuff removed from Skype for Business Server 2019

• XMPP Gateway for XMPP proxy and communication.

o In case you still require XMPP, your existing XMPP server may co-exist.

• Persistent chat cannot be installed.

• SQL Mirroring is not an option, however other supported options are still available.

• No more in-place upgrade

• Legacy MCX mobile app support no longer available.

Please refer https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/deprecated

Skype for Business 2019 Preview requirements

Hardware Microsoft Recommendation for hardware equipment’s are:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/whats-new

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/migration/migrating-xmpp-federation

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/deprecated


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For more details, please refer https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/plan/system-requirements

Software

• Skype for Business Server 2019 Preview only runs on Windows Server 2016.

• SQL Server 2016 or higher.

o Clustering and Always-On Supported.

Infrastructure

Active Directory

• Your domain controllers are should be on Server 2012 or higher.

• Domain/forest functional level should be Windows Server 2012 or higher.

• RODC still supported, provided writable domain exists there.

• Single-labelled domains like “local” not supported.

• Domain rename not supported.

DNS

• Looks like no change into DNS section.

Certificates

• 2048 and greater encryption key length recommended, however 1024, is still supported.

• Auto-enrolment on Edge not supported.

Other OS level dependencies are:

NET-Framework-Core, RSAT-ADDS, Windows-Identity-Foundation, Web-Server, Web-Static-

Content, Web-Default-Doc, Web-Http-Errors, Web-Dir-Browsing, Web-Asp-Net, Web-Net-Ext,

Web-ISAPI-Ext, Web-ISAPI-Filter, Web-Http-Logging, Web-Log-Libraries, Web-Request-

Monitor, Web-Http-Tracing, Web-Basic-Auth, Web-Windows-Auth, Web-Client-Auth, Web-

Filtering, Web-Stat-Compression, Web-Dyn-Compression, NET-WCF-HTTP-Activation45,

Web-Asp-Net45, Web-Mgmt-Tools, Web-Scripting-Tools, Web-Mgmt-Compat, Server-Media-

Foundation, BITS, Desktop-Experience, Telnet-Client

• .Net Framework 4.7 or higher.

In addition to that, where control panel is going to open should have Silverlight installed.

Please refer the product documentation before introducing the Skype for Business 2019 Preview into your

environment. A detailed impact assessment and environment readiness planning required.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/plan/system-requirements


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Lab at Tech24online

ESXi 5.5 on HP DL380 G5

Tech24online.comdc1.tech24online.comDomain/Forest Functional Level 2008 R2Certificate Services & DNS

sql01.tech24online.comWindows 2008 R2Sql Server 2012

sfe1.tech24online.comWindows 2012Skype for Business 2015 with latest CU

dc1.tech24online.comMember server & file Server

sfe1.tech24online.comWindows 2012Skype for Business 2015 with latest CU

sfe19.tech24online.comWindows 2016Skype for Business 2019

Tech24online.comdc2.tech24online.comDomain/Forest Functional Level Windows Server 2012Certificate Services & DNS

Introducing Skype for Business 2019 into existing deployment


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Server System Preparation

Operating System dependencies has been installed using:

Import-Module ServerManager

Add-WindowsFeature NET-Framework-Core, RSAT-ADDS, Windows-Identity-Foundation,

Web-Server, Web-Static-Content, Web-Default-Doc, Web-Http-Errors, Web-Dir-Browsing,

Web-Asp-Net, Web-Net-Ext, Web-ISAPI-Ext, Web-ISAPI-Filter, Web-Http-Logging, Web-Log-

Libraries, Web-Request-Monitor, Web-Http-Tracing, Web-Basic-Auth, Web-Windows-Auth,

Web-Client-Auth, Web-Filtering, Web-Stat-Compression, Web-Dyn-Compression, NET-WCF-

HTTP-Activation45, Web-Asp-Net45, Web-Mgmt-Tools, Web-Scripting-Tools, Web-Mgmt-

Compat, Server-Media-Foundation, BITS, Desktop-Experience, Telnet-Client

In case you get Add-WindowsFeature : ArgumentNotValid: The role, role service, or feature name is not

valid: 'Desktop-Experience'. The name was not found.


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Skip Desktop-Experience feature and try running. This may come when you choose Server 2016 with

Desktop Experience option while installing the Server OS.

Import-Module ServerManager

Add-WindowsFeature NET-Framework-Core, RSAT-ADDS, Windows-Identity-Foundation,

Web-Server, Web-Static-Content, Web-Default-Doc, Web-Http-Errors, Web-Dir-Browsing,

Web-Asp-Net, Web-Net-Ext, Web-ISAPI-Ext, Web-ISAPI-Filter, Web-Http-Logging, Web-Log-

Libraries, Web-Request-Monitor, Web-Http-Tracing, Web-Basic-Auth, Web-Windows-Auth,

Web-Client-Auth, Web-Filtering, Web-Stat-Compression, Web-Dyn-Compression, NET-WCF-

HTTP-Activation45, Web-Asp-Net45, Web-Mgmt-Tools, Web-Scripting-Tools, Web-Mgmt-

Compat, Server-Media-Foundation, BITS, Telnet-Client

This worked for me:

Also install .Net Framework 4.7 or above. I have used offline installer or .Net Framework 4.7.2, you may

download it from here http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=863265 and install.

Server System is now ready for Skype for Business Server 2019 Preview installation.

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=863265


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Administrative Tool Installation Just to start with, please mount the Skype for Business 2019 Preview server iso. If you have not already

downloaded, you may find it here http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/0/9/209372AB-F64F-4F04-

8BDA-FBAB1C685BA3/W17_2044.76_Eval.iso

Once ISO mounted, locate the setup files:

Run the Setup.exe, it will open Skype for Business Server 2019 deployment wizard and may ask you to

select installation location and your choice to check for updates. I choose not to check updates and default

installation location:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/0/9/209372AB-F64F-4F04-8BDA-FBAB1C685BA3/W17_2044.76_Eval.iso

http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/0/9/209372AB-F64F-4F04-8BDA-FBAB1C685BA3/W17_2044.76_Eval.iso


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Click on Install button.

Here we have End User License Agreement page, where Microsoft have mentioned terms conditions etc

associated with this software, please read carefully and if you wish to proceed further click on the check box

before “I accept the terms in the license agreement” and click on OK button:

Once you click OK on End User License Agreement page, Skype for Business 2019, core components

installation will begin:


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Setup will copy required core files in to your selected location and will open “Skype for Business Server

2019 – Deployment Wizard” window:

Above window has same options as we had in previous release (Skype for Business 2015) Active Directory,

Install or Update Skype for Business Server System, prepare first Standard Edition Server, Install

Administrative Tools, Call Quality Dashboard and link for First Run Videos.

I would go with installation of Administrative Tools first because it will install Topology Builder, Control

Panel, PowerShell for Skype for Business and Deployment Wizard. All these tools will help to define

new servers and run the software installation.

Click on “Install Administrative Tools”:


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Once you click on Install Administrative Tools, setup wizard will open. Click Next button:

Once you click on Next button, setup will run certain executables in the background to deploy Admin tools

into the system:


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Execution may take some time which depends on your system hardware/software performance and once

completed, it will show you Task Status Completed in green. You may click on Finish button now:

Once you click on Finish button on above given Administrative Tool wizard, you will come back to

Deployment wizard window:


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We can see Prepare Active Directory is marked Completed and Install Administrative Tool also marked

Completed. In case of Active Directory or Domain level requirement not met, you may see Active Directory

without marked and further action required:


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Topology Changes Now I am starting the Introducing Skype for Business 2019 into existing Skype for Business 2015 topology.

Open Skype for Business Server 2019 Topology builder. I would prefer to run as admin.

Click on the “Download Topology from existing deployment” and click “OK” button:

Once you click “OK” button, Topology builder will contact Central Management Server and ask you to save

the fetched topology.

Now navigate your favorite location and name it and click “Save” button:


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Once topology successfully downloaded, we can see, Lync Server 2013, Skype for Business Server 2015

and Skype for Business Server 2019 along with other supported components which can be defined.


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Adding Skype for Business Server 2019

While my existing Skype for Business Server 2015 deployment, I mentioned “Australia” as central location. I

would prefer to add Skype for Business Server 2019 into same central site, you may choose according to

your lab/dev scenario.

Expended the Skype for Business Server 2019 in to Topology builder. Here you can choose your desired

option, Standard or Enterprise. I choose Enterprise for my lab:


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Right click > Select New Front-End Pool to define a new Front End pool:

Once you click on

New Front-End Pool, a Define New Frontend Pool wizard will open and will ask you select your options. In

here you can define, your pool name, add front-end server, select features like conferencing, enterprise

voice, archiving, monitoring, mediation server choice (either you wish to collocate or deploy separately),

edge server, sql store, file share, office web app server etc.

Click “Next”


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Here you may name your Skype for Business Server 2019 pool and click “Next”.

Note: Please do not forget to setup DNS records for this entry.

Now it’s time to add ready Windows 2016 domain joined servers, those are reserved for Skype for Business

Server 2019 pool. Enter your Server FQDN and click on “Add” button. Once you added all the servers, you

may need to click on “Next” button:


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Now, setup wizard will ask you to select features which you want to enable in this pool.

In my lab, I have selected all the available features.

Once selection completed, you may hit the “Next” button:


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At this juncture you need to define your choice for Mediation Server. Mediation server is a role which

enables integration between Skype for Business and IP VOIP gateway. I have marked tick box because I

want to collocate this into pool. A separate section (Enterprise Voice) will cover more about Mediation

Server planning and deployment.

Click “Next” button:


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At this time, you can associate this new pool with your existing deployed Edge Server. I don’t have Edge in

my lab therefore I kept it unselected.

You may decide as per your infrastructure scenario and click “Next” button:

Here, wizard will ask you to define Server database. You will not see this option in case of Standard edition

deployment.

I have installed SQL Server 2016 Developer edition for my lab, for more details and planning please refer

product documentation.

Please define the running SQL Server 2016 or newer version instance here. Click on “New”


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Define your SQL Server FQDN and SQL Instance name. For example, I am running SQL Server 2016 on

SQL19.TECH24ONLINE.COM machine and Instance I have defined while SQL Installation was SQL19.

After defining your SQL Server details, click “OK” and then “Next” button:


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At this point you need to define your file share. A detailed planning is required for production environment,

please make sure you refer planning guide before doing it into production. For my lab, I just created a folder

share on domain controller DC2 and defined it here.Define your share location and click “Next” button.


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Now you can define your external web services url and also override internal webservices. For my lab, I

kept it default, however you may edit it according to your infrastructure. Once defined it, you may click on

“Next” button.

This window wizard will ask you to select Office Web App Server. This role is required to handling

presentation stuff while web conferencing, for more details please refer https://docs.microsoft.com/en-

us/webappsserver/office-web-apps-server-overview In my lab I don’t have Office Web App Server running,

thus I left it unselected. You may chose if you wish, and click “Next” button:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/webappsserver/office-web-apps-server-overview

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/webappsserver/office-web-apps-server-overview


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Here you have opportunity to define Archiving database. You will not see this option, if you have not

selected on “Select Features” page. I choose it and now have chance to define it.

You may define it any time, even after the deployment of the Skype for Business Pool/Server.

This role enables enterprises to record conversation, refer https://docs.microsoft.com/en-

us/skypeforbusiness/plan-your-

deployment/archiving/archiving?toc=/SkypeForBusiness/toc.json&bc=/SkypeForBusiness/breadcrumb/toc.js

on

Select/Define your SQL Server and click “Next” button:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/plan-your-deployment/archiving/archiving?toc=/SkypeForBusiness/toc.json&bc=/SkypeForBusiness/breadcrumb/toc.json





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Now you have opportunity to define Monitoring database. You will not see this option, if you have not

selected on “Select Features” page. I choose it and now have chance to define it. You may define it any

time, even after the deployment of the Skype for Business Pool/Server. This role enables enterprises to

collect usages and call quality data which helps to monitor, plan utilization and even identifying issues , refer

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/plan-your-

deployment/monitoring?toc=/SkypeForBusiness/toc.json&bc=/SkypeForBusiness/breadcrumb/toc.json

Select/Define your SQL Server and click “Finish” button:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/plan-your-deployment/monitoring?toc=/SkypeForBusiness/toc.json&bc=/SkypeForBusiness/breadcrumb/toc.json

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/plan-your-deployment/monitoring?toc=/SkypeForBusiness/toc.json&bc=/SkypeForBusiness/breadcrumb/toc.json


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Here we have successfully defined our Pool, Servers, features etc and now topology is ready to upload into

Skype for Business Central Management Store.

Now, we can publish the topology.

Go to Action > Topology > click on Publish button:


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Once you click on “Publish” Publish Topology wizard will open. Here we have guidance from product team

before publishing topology, To start publishing the Topology, click on “Next” button:


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Here Publish Topology wizard will ask you to select databases. In my lab, I have

SQL19.TECH24ONLINE.COM as SQL Store with SQL19 instance. You need to click on Advance to select

the database file location:


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Here we must select 1 option out of 3.

I have selected “Use SQL Server instance default” which means, Skype for Business Deployment wizard

will fetch file location based on running sql instance configuration.


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You may select appropriate options according to your Lab/Dev environment.

Post selection, click “OK” button.

And now Publish Topology wizard will try to contact backend sql servers and will add newly created Skype

for Business Server 2019 Pool.


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File access was failing because of DNS issue and once I updated the correct record, it was resolved.


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Now topology publishing has been completed successfully and I am going to run Deployment

Wizard.


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Installing Skype for Business Server 2019

Software Now I am installing Skype for Business Server 2019 software into defined Windows 2016 Server

“SFE19.TECH24ONLINE.COM”.

Open the Skype for Business Server 2019 Deployment Wizard.

I would recommend to “Run As Admin”.

Click on Install or Update Skype for Business Server System option:


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Here system will check your deployment status and may take some time to load/enable the options:


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Step 1: Install Local Configuration Store

Once environment check completed, you will see “Install Local Configuration Store” Run activated.

Basically, this is the first item we need to run in the Install or Upgrade section. This will run the installation of

local SQL Express Edition and download the topology etc from CMS.

Click on “Run” button.

In the case of Frontend Server, we need to select first highlighted option “Retrieve directly from the

Central Management Store”. in case of Edge Server, second option need to select. Select first option, click

“Next” button.


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here Install Local Configuration Store will ask you to local Skype for Business Server 2019 installation

dump. Click on “Browse” button:

Navigate to your ISO/Software path, click “Next” button:


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Now, Install Local Configuration Store will perform the prerequisite check and execute the MSI files in

backend. In case of any of the required component missing it will fail and let you know which component

you missed:

As I mentioned above, here wizard is installing the SQL Express edition into local machine.


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Post successful installation, you will see “Task status” marked as Completed in green. Click on “Finish”

button.

Local configuration has been completed successfully and now moving to install Skype for business

components.


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Step 2: Setup or Remove Skype for Business Server Components

This will execute the setup on local machine referring to the local cms copy and will install the required

features along with Skype for Business Server 2019 core components. Click on “Run” in Step 2: Setup or

Remove Skype for Business Server Components:

“Set Up Skype for Business Server Components” wizard will open. Click “Next” button:


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Here setup will execute the pre-requisites check and will install the Skype for Business Core components

and features according to we have enabled in the topology.

Post successful completion, you may see “Task Status” marked Completed in green. You may click on

“Finish” button now.


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Now it’s time to Request and Assign the certificates. Special planning required for SSL Certificate because

this may impact other application integration and your organisation security policy, so would recommend to

refer product documentation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/plan/system-

requirements#Certs

In my lab scenario, I am going to use internal active directory certificate authority which is running on

domain controller DC2.

Step 3: Request, Install or Assign Certificates

Post successful completion of Skype for Business Server 2019 Software installation, we have to run

Certificate Assignment wizard. Here we request, assign the SSL Certificates to Skype for Business Server.

Request, Install or Assign Certificates, click on “Run” button:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/plan/system-requirements#Certs

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/plan/system-requirements#Certs


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This will open Certificate Wizard. In case of green field deployment where you may not have any previous

release of Skype for Business product, you may have to request and assign OAuth and Skype for Business

certificate. Since I already has Skype for Business Server 2015 running in my lab, OAuth automatically

came from CMS, however I still need to request and assign SSL Certificate to all the machines part of

Skype for Business Server 2019 pool. Click on “Default Certificate”. On the right side of the wizard, you

will see “Request” button, click on that.

Certificate Request wizard will open. Here you need to select your root CA, like I have selected my internal

CA which is running on Domain Controller. Select desired SIP domains. Click “Next” button.


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Here you will see Summary of your request which you have just made on last page. Go through this, in case

you want to modify you may click on “Back” button, if all good, click on “Next” button

Wizard will raise a request to defined CA to issue a SSL Certificate for Skype for Business pool.


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Here you will see final confirmation and status of your task. Click “Next” button


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Wizard will automatically import the SSL Certificate into local personal store and will display here thumbprint

etc. You can validate the certificate clicking “View Certificate Details” button. Click on check box before

“Assign this certificate to Skype for Business Server Certificate usages” click on “Finish” button.

Once you click on Finish button mentioned in above figure, Certificate Assignment wizard will open. Click on

“Next” button:


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Once more, wizard will show you summary of the certificate being assigned. Click on “Next” button:

Here wizard will execute the PowerShell command to assign the certificate to Skype for business Server.

Post successful completion, task status will be shown “Completed” in green. Click on “Finish” button.


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Here Certificate Assignment wizard will bounce back to Certificate Wizard window and here you should see

all marked green. You may now click on “Close” button:

Certificate installation has been completed successfully.


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Step 4: Starting Services

Till now we have prepared the base OS, Installed the Skype for Business Server 2019

dependencies, installed Administrative tools, defined the Skype for Business Server 2019 topology

and published it, installed the local components, requested and assigned the SSL Certificate.

Now I am executing the final step which is the final setup in wizard. This will start the Skype for

Business Server 2019 on SFE19.TECH24ONLINE.COM Server.

Step 4: Start Services

Click on the “Run” button in Step 4


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When you click on Run button, it will open the Services window. Here you can see almost all the

services are in Stopped mode and only “Skype for Business Replica Replicator Agent” is running.

Here you can start services one-by-one, however I would recommend to use PowerShell to start all

in one go.

Open PowerShell, Run As Administrator.

Type Start-CsWindowServices and press Enter:

This command will start all the installed services:


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Once Service start completed, you may see curser to next row:

Let’s check the services on Services window as well:


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All done, services are successfully running 😊.

Let’s have a first look of Skype for Business Server 2019 control panel.

Go to start menu and navigate to Skype for Business Server Control Panel:


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Here you need to select the Control panel URL. Like in my lab, it is

Https://sfb2019pool.tech24online.com and click OK.


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Supply your Administrative credentials, make sure this account is member of CSAdministrator.

Add the url into local trust clicking “Add” button.


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Here we go!!!!

Finally, we have got Skype for Business Server 2019 Preview edition deployed with Skype for

Business Server 2015 co-existence.


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In case of Silverlight missing, you may encounter this error:

Thanks for reading, please give your feedback/suggestions on comment window.

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