Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Monitoring : Installation (part 1) - Topology Builder for Microsoft Lync Server Monitoring Role

Installing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services

The Lync Server Monitoring Server leverages Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services to provide rich reports related to usage and the quality of experience data. This section assumes you already installed SQL and are familiar with the process. Small installations that chose to use the Enterprise Edition of Lync Server can use the same SQL Server as the front end pool; however, most larger deployments require a separate SQL Server, and in very large installations, a separate SQL Reporting Services Server is required. In the steps that follow, you walk through the installation process and post-installation steps for SQL Reporting Services.

During the SQL Server 2008 Installation Wizard, ensure the Reporting Services box is checked and then continue through the wizard.

The administrator must also decide where to install the Reporting Services database, either on an existing SQL Server or on the Reporting Services Server. In general, it is recommended you collocate the Reporting Services database on the Reporting Services Server. After the SQL Reporting Services role is installed, it needs to be configured before before the Monitoring Server can use it.

From the Start Menu, navigate to All programs, click Microsoft SQL Server 2008, and then click Configuration tools. Select Reporting Services Configuration Manager. Ensure the appropriate server and instance is selected and click Connect. Then follow these steps:

Now the SQL Reporting Services Server is almost ready. After the Monitoring Server is installed, you need to deploy the Monitoring Server Report Pack to the SQL Reporting Server as reviewed in the following section.

Topology Builder for Microsoft Lync Server Monitoring Role

Lync Server uses the published topology to process traffic and maintain overall topology information. To ensure the topology is valid, it is recommended you run the Topology Builder before each topological change. This example shows the steps necessary to add a Monitoring Server to your Lync Server deployment. Remember, if you change the topology later, it should be republished to ensure consistency.

When you launch Lync Server Topology Builder, a pop-up message asks whether you want to download the existing topology. Click OK to continue.

To add a Monitoring Server in Topology Builder, follow these steps:

1.	Expand your site in Topology Builder.
2.	Select the Monitoring menu item, as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1. Monitoring Role Selected
3.	On the right side, in the Action pane, click New Monitoring Server. Enter the appropriate information, as shown in Figure 2, and then click Next to finish the wizard. Figure 2. Define a Monitoring Server Note Note that Lync Server sites are not related to Active Directory sites. They are completely separate and unique to Lync Server.
4.	Select the site name and choose Publish, as shown in Figure 3. Figure 3. Choose the Publish Action
5.	Click Next to publish the updated topology to the central management store, as shown in Figure 4. Figure 4. Publishing the Updated Topology
6.	Click Finish to return to the main Topology Builder screen.
7.	Expand the appropriate section, either Standard Edition front ends or Enterprise Edition front ends, and then select a pool.
8.	In the main window, expand the General tab and ensure the Monitoring Server is assigned to the pool as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5. Monitoring Server Is Assigned to the Pool