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IBM Sametime 8.5.2 Administration Guide
IBM Sametime 8.5.2 Administration Guide

IBM Sametime 8.5.2 Administration Guide: A comprehensive, practical guide for the planning, installation, and maintenance of your Sametime 8.5.2 environment

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IBM Sametime 8.5.2 Administration Guide

Chapter 1. Collaborate in Real Time: Introducing Sametime 8.5.2

"Collaborate in real time." What does this phrase mean? We generally think of it as meaning when we communicate and work with others in a seamless and instantaneous fashion. But how do we go about doing that? Today, we have many choices for collaboration, from traditional e-mail or discussion forums to chat communities and near-instantaneous tools such as Twitter. With the ability to connect to the Internet, we can reach anyone with the right tools for our particular situation. For many large enterprises and small companies, the right tool might be instant messaging or online meeting software.

Our focus, here, is on IBM Sametime 8.5.2 software. Sametime is a suite of products that include clients for secure instant messaging, integration with e-mail and calendaring platforms, and connectivity through mobile devices such as Research in Motion Blackberries, Android devices, Apple iPhones, and iPads. Sametime software also includes secure online meeting rooms, persistent chat rooms, and unified telephony connectivity.

Why would a company or organization choose to use Sametime? They might choose Sametime because it closely integrates with their existing collaboration environment—IBM Lotus Notes and Domino, Lotus Quickr, or IBM Connections. They may also choose a real-time collaboration system such as Sametime to save money. Online meetings and instant messaging helps save money by eliminating the need for travel costs and long distance phone expenditures, especially if a company integrates Sametime with their existing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system.

Companies of all sizes often find that Sametime has a significant cost advantage over other solutions. It can be deployed on a variety of platforms and hardware with a per-user license cost included in existing Lotus Notes licensing. If a smaller company doesn't have the need to deploy a full web conferencing solution, they can use the online per-user Sametime Unyte product which is tightly integrated with Sametime itself.

A large enterprise might use Sametime because it integrates well with their existing collaboration tools from Lotus to IBM, but it also integrates with tools from other providers such as Microsoft, Avaya, and Tandberg. Sametime's web conferencing solution, including full multi-way audio and video, is extensible with distributed and clustering functionality to support the size and scope of an enterprise-wide infrastructure.

As an administrator of IBM Sametime or Lotus Notes and Domino, you may find yourself in a situation similar to one of the following scenarios. Our goal is to provide you with the resources you require to implement a successful Sametime environment.

  • Tim works for a company that currently uses Sametime. The company has recently acquired some new businesses and will be including those subsidiaries in their Lotus Notes and Sametime domain. As they are interested in using some of the new features of Sametime 8.5.2, Tim will be upgrading the company's existing Sametime environment.

  • In contrast, Susan works for a company that has only used the e-mail and calendaring features of Lotus Notes. The chief information officer now wants to look at instant messaging and online meeting software. She wants Susan to configure a new Sametime environment to fit their needs.

  • David works for a company that has a requirement for secure instant messaging. The company's CEO would like marketing and sales staff to use instant messaging to communicate with customers and coworkers. They would also like to have web conferences among themselves and with customers. However, they have yet to decide whether to manage such a system on their own intranet or to use an online service.

In this chapter, you will learn the following topics:

  • What's new in Sametime 8.5.2

  • What has changed with regards to Sametime server architecture

  • The different types of Sametime clients available in Sametime 8.5.2

  • The operating system and hardware requirements for Sametime 8.5.2 servers

  • The operating system and hardware requirements for Sametime 8.5.2 clients

  • Understanding the different Sametime licenses and what you might need for your environment

  • Why you should install Sametime 8.5.2 or upgrade from prior versions

What's new in Sametime 8.5.2

IBM Sametime 8.5 and 8.5.2 introduces many new capabilities to the Sametime product suite. In addition to the numerous features already included with the Sametime 8.x family of clients, Sametime 8.5.2 has extended client usability and collaboration. Let us take a look at a few of those enhancements:

  • Sametime Connect Client software is now supported on Microsoft Windows 7.0, Apple Macintosh 10.6, and Linux desktop operating systems including Red Hat Enterprise Desktop (RHED), Ubuntu, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED)

  • A lightweight browser-based client that requires no additional downloads is available for instant messaging for Apple iPhone and iPad users

  • A browser-based client is available for Sametime meetings

  • Sametime Mobile Client support has been added for Android devices (OS 2.0 and higher), Blackberry 5.0 and 6.0 devices, and Microsoft Mobile 6.5 devices

  • Rich text messaging is now available for chats with users connected through the Sametime Gateway

If you deployed Sametime Standard in a previous release or are interested in the online meeting conferencing features of Sametime 8.5.2, then you and your users will be happy to know that meeting attendees now can attend online meetings "instantly" without having to load any additional software in their browser. Meetings start quickly and are retained for future use.

Probably the most significant change for you as a Sametime administrator is the introduction of IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) as an application hosting platform for Sametime. In previous versions of Sametime, with the exception of the Sametime Advanced and Sametime Gateway features, the Sametime server was deployed on Lotus Domino servers. If you know how to install and manage a Lotus Domino server, then you will most likely be the same individual who will manage a Sametime server as the skill sets are similar.

But with the addition of WAS comes flexibility in server architecture. As an administrator, you have the ability to choose features and configure servers based on your organization's unique needs. The linkage between Domino and Sametime still exists through the Sametime Community Server. So not only can Sametime be sized appropriately for the needs of your organization, it can also run on multiple operating systems and servers as per your requirements.

Some highlights include:

  • With the release of Sametime 8.5.2, Lotus Domino 8.5.2 is now supported.

  • A Sametime Proxy Server has been introduced as a component of the Sametime server architecture. The Sametime Proxy Server hosts the lightweight browser-based Sametime client. It runs on WAS and is different than the WAS Proxy Server.

  • Media Manager Server is another new Sametime server component. This server manages conferences using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to support point-to-point and multi-point calls and integrates into the Sametime environment through your Community Server. Sametime 8.5.2 introduces support for standard audio and video codec for improved integration in the Sametime client and the Sametime Meeting Center. This allows for interoperability with third-party conferencing systems.

  • Transversal Using Relay NAT (TURN) server is a Java program that runs in conjunction with the Media Manager Server and behaves as a reflector, routing audio and video traffic between clients on different networks. The technology used by this Network Address Translation (NAT) Traversal server (ICE) uses both TURN and Session Transversal Utilities for NAT (STUN) protocols and behaves similarly to the Sametime reflector service that was part of earlier versions of Sametime.

  • Improved network performance and support for IPv6 networking.

  • A new central administration console called the Sametime System Console (SSC) for managing Sametime server and configuration resources from a consolidated web interface.

  • Sametime Bandwidth Manager is a new optional WAS-based Sametime server component that allows you to create rules and policies that determine the use of audio and video within Sametime. The Bandwidth Manager monitors Sametime traffic and uses your rules to dynamically select codec and quality of video streams as calls are initiated by users.

No matter if you are new to Sametime or a long-time Sametime administrator, our aim is to guide you through the planning, installation, management, and troubleshooting steps so that you can successfully implement and support Sametime 8.5.2 in your environment.

What's new in Sametime 8.5.2


IBM Sametime 8.5 and 8.5.2 introduces many new capabilities to the Sametime product suite. In addition to the numerous features already included with the Sametime 8.x family of clients, Sametime 8.5.2 has extended client usability and collaboration. Let us take a look at a few of those enhancements:

  • Sametime Connect Client software is now supported on Microsoft Windows 7.0, Apple Macintosh 10.6, and Linux desktop operating systems including Red Hat Enterprise Desktop (RHED), Ubuntu, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED)

  • A lightweight browser-based client that requires no additional downloads is available for instant messaging for Apple iPhone and iPad users

  • A browser-based client is available for Sametime meetings

  • Sametime Mobile Client support has been added for Android devices (OS 2.0 and higher), Blackberry 5.0 and 6.0 devices, and Microsoft Mobile 6.5 devices

  • Rich text messaging is now available for chats with users connected through the Sametime Gateway

If you deployed Sametime Standard in a previous release or are interested in the online meeting conferencing features of Sametime 8.5.2, then you and your users will be happy to know that meeting attendees now can attend online meetings "instantly" without having to load any additional software in their browser. Meetings start quickly and are retained for future use.

Probably the most significant change for you as a Sametime administrator is the introduction of IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) as an application hosting platform for Sametime. In previous versions of Sametime, with the exception of the Sametime Advanced and Sametime Gateway features, the Sametime server was deployed on Lotus Domino servers. If you know how to install and manage a Lotus Domino server, then you will most likely be the same individual who will manage a Sametime server as the skill sets are similar.

But with the addition of WAS comes flexibility in server architecture. As an administrator, you have the ability to choose features and configure servers based on your organization's unique needs. The linkage between Domino and Sametime still exists through the Sametime Community Server. So not only can Sametime be sized appropriately for the needs of your organization, it can also run on multiple operating systems and servers as per your requirements.

Some highlights include:

  • With the release of Sametime 8.5.2, Lotus Domino 8.5.2 is now supported.

  • A Sametime Proxy Server has been introduced as a component of the Sametime server architecture. The Sametime Proxy Server hosts the lightweight browser-based Sametime client. It runs on WAS and is different than the WAS Proxy Server.

  • Media Manager Server is another new Sametime server component. This server manages conferences using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to support point-to-point and multi-point calls and integrates into the Sametime environment through your Community Server. Sametime 8.5.2 introduces support for standard audio and video codec for improved integration in the Sametime client and the Sametime Meeting Center. This allows for interoperability with third-party conferencing systems.

  • Transversal Using Relay NAT (TURN) server is a Java program that runs in conjunction with the Media Manager Server and behaves as a reflector, routing audio and video traffic between clients on different networks. The technology used by this Network Address Translation (NAT) Traversal server (ICE) uses both TURN and Session Transversal Utilities for NAT (STUN) protocols and behaves similarly to the Sametime reflector service that was part of earlier versions of Sametime.

  • Improved network performance and support for IPv6 networking.

  • A new central administration console called the Sametime System Console (SSC) for managing Sametime server and configuration resources from a consolidated web interface.

  • Sametime Bandwidth Manager is a new optional WAS-based Sametime server component that allows you to create rules and policies that determine the use of audio and video within Sametime. The Bandwidth Manager monitors Sametime traffic and uses your rules to dynamically select codec and quality of video streams as calls are initiated by users.

No matter if you are new to Sametime or a long-time Sametime administrator, our aim is to guide you through the planning, installation, management, and troubleshooting steps so that you can successfully implement and support Sametime 8.5.2 in your environment.

Sametime 8.5.2 server architecture


As we have described briefly, the server architecture for Sametime 8.5.2 has changed significantly from previous versions. Prior to this version, Sametime was a single server installation and ran as an add-in task under a Domino server. It provided both instant messaging and web conferencing features combined into a single server. Although there was a license model that only installed and enabled the instant messaging features (Sametime Entry), the installer was the same if you wanted to include web conferencing functionality as well.

The new architecture still includes a Domino-based component but the Domino server is intended strictly for instant messaging and awareness. All other Sametime functionality has been re-engineered into separate server components running on top of the WAS platform. By moving all but the instant messaging and awareness services from Domino onto WebSphere, IBM has constructed an environment better suited to the needs of enterprise customers who have a high demand for services that require significant non-Domino resources such as audio, video, and web conferencing.

Additionally, the new architecture of Sametime 8.5.2 is about enhancing the client experience, dramatically improving performance, and bringing the technology in line with modern audio, video, and browser standards.

Let us begin by taking a look at the new server components and learning about their role and function.

Sametime System Console

Core to the entire Sametime multi-server architecture is the management interface which runs as a WebSphere application. It is called the Sametime System Console (SSC). The SSC actually plugs into the standard WAS 7.x menu as an additional option.

The SSC provides the configuration and management tools needed to work with all the other Sametime components, including the Domino-based Instant Messaging server. It also comes with a series of step-by-step guides called Sametime Guided Activities to walk you through the installation of each server component in the proper sequence. The SSC also has a Sametime Servers section that allows you manage the Sametime servers.

The SSC installs as an add-in to WAS and is accessed through a browser on its own dedicated port. It also uses a custom DB2 database named STSC for storage of its management information.

Sametime Community Server

Sametime Community Server is the instant messaging and presence awareness component of Sametime, which is installed as an add-in task for Domino. It must be installed on Domino versions 8.5 or 8.5.1, but it can work with earlier versions of Sametime already installed in your environment. Keep in mind, however, that pre-8.5.x clients will not benefit from many of the new features provided by your Sametime 8.5.2 servers. If your requirement is solely for instant messaging, then this is the only component you will need installed alongside Domino itself.

The Sametime Community Server "standard" install also includes the original Domino-based Meeting Center. This browser-based component has not been updated in any way from pre-8.5.x versions and is there purely for backwards compatibility and to maintain any existing scheduled meetings. There is no integration or interaction between the Domino-based Meeting Center and the Sametime 8.5.2 Meeting Center(s).

Other than being updated to run on top of a Domino 8.5 or 8.5.1 server, the actual Community Server component has changed very little and includes no significant new features from previous versions. Its browser administration interface and options remain the same. However, if you have deployed the SSC, the native Domino administration is over-ridden.

Following is a chart of the Sametime Community Server infrastructure. Note the optional management of the server by the SSC. Although the use of Domino as a directory is still supported, it is highly recommended you deploy Sametime using a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory. If you will be deploying other Sametime 8.5.2 components, then your deployment will usually require an LDAP directory to be used.

Sametime Meeting Server

The Sametime Meeting server has been completely re-engineered to bring it up to the standards of modern web conferencing solutions. It is also better aligned with IBM's Sametime Unyte online service. The new Sametime Meeting Server (versus the Domino-based Meeting Center) runs as an application under WAS. In addition, as it requires a data store to hold meeting information, it utilizes a dedicated DB2 database for managing the content of each meeting room.

The previous Sametime meeting client was entirely browser-based. To improve performance and functionality for 8.5.2, a rich meeting center client has been introduced which plugs into the Sametime Eclipse environment. A browser interface for meetings is still available but it provides a reduced set of functions.

Sametime Proxy Server

The Sametime Proxy Server re-introduces a lightweight browser-based client for Sametime, which has not been available in versions shipped since 6.5. The new browser client is designed to be lightweight and fully customizable and it is based on Ajax technology and themed using CSS. This allows it to launch quickly and be customized to match your organization's design.

The Proxy Server installs as an application under WAS, although it has no data store of its own and does not require any database connectivity. In the configuration for the Proxy Server, you direct it to a specific Community Server to supply the Sametime services. The following diagram gives a brief overview:

The Proxy Server ships with a default client designed as a JavaServer Page, which can be modified using customizable style sheets. It gives a feature-rich Sametime experience including multi-way chats, browser-based meetings, and privacy settings.

Sametime Media Manager

The Sametime Media Manager takes on the role of providing audio and video services for both the Sametime clients for peer-to-peer VoIP and video chats, and for web conferencing within the meeting rooms in the new meeting center. It is designed to provide services for multiple Meeting Servers and through them for instant meetings from the Sametime client. Installed on a WAS platform, it has no need for a data store and does not require any database connectivity.

The Media Manager is designed to provide a multi-way audio and video conferencing experience using modern codecs; however, it does not support Sametime clients in versions prior to 8.5.2. It is the audio and video "glue" that connects all the other Sametime server elements in 8.5.2.

Sametime TURN Server

In its default configuration, the Media Manager creates a SIP connection from itself to the requesting client. However, where the client is not on the same network as the Media Manager, no SIP connection can be made directly. To address this issue, which affects users outside of your firewall as well as those on different internal networks, IBM has introduced the TURN Server with Sametime 8.5.2.

The TURN server uses both TURN and STUN protocols to create a connection with the client. It routes audio and video traffic between itself and the Media Manager, allowing connections between clients across networks. The technology is sometimes referred to as a reflector and pre-8.5 versions of Sametime came with a reflector service of their own.

The TURN server is a Java program that runs in a command window on any Windows or Linux server sharing the same subnet as the Media Manager. It doesn't require WAS or any data store but runs with a separately installed IBM Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

Sametime Bandwidth Manager

The Sametime Bandwidth Manager is a new optional WAS-based component that is designed to help Sametime administrators manage the traffic generated by the Media Manager and its audio and video services. Within the Bandwidth Manager configuration, an administrator can create sites, links, and call-rate policies that define the service provided by the Media Manager. The Bandwidth Manager analyzes its rules when a new call is initiated and instructs the Media Manager on how to service that call.

Among the extremely granular levels of customization available are options for sites to have link rules that constrain the traffic between them. You can also create specific policies that specify the services available to named users or groups during peak and off-peak periods. Depending upon network load, user identity, and call participation, the Bandwidth Manager can be configured to control the bandwidth. It can do this by reducing the audio to a lower codec, reducing the video frame rate, or even denying video completely, informing the user that they should retry at a later time.

Sametime server system requirements

When planning or migrating to a Sametime environment, as with any other new software or hardware implementation, it is always prudent to plan, plan, and plan! Review the most current release notes for any changes with careful consideration of operating system, disk space requirements, and Sametime or Domino software requirements.

As with other software in the IBM Lotus family of products, the Sametime software and server components will run on different operating systems. For instance, if you have expertise in Linux, you will be happy to find that Sametime 8.5.2 runs on Linux. But if your organization or architecture requires that you run the software on Windows or AIX, then you have the ability to run Sametime on those operating systems as well. The following table provides an overview of the operating systems supported by Sametime 8.5.2 Standard and those components that will run on the specific operating systems:

Operating system

Sametime 8.5.2 Standard server component

Additional information

AIX:

5.3 TL10 POWER System i/p 64-bit or 6.1 TL3 POWER System i/p 64-bit

Classic Meeting Server;

Community Server;

Gateway Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

Requires 32-bit Domino

Linux:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5.0 Update 4 Advanced Platform x86-32 or x86-64 or SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 10.0 SP1 or 11.0, x86-32 or x86-64

Classic Meeting Server;

Community Server;

Gateway Server;

TURN Server;

Bandwidth Manager Server;

Media Manager Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

Requires 32-bit Domino

Solaris:

10 SPARC 64-bit

Classic Meeting Server;

Community Server;

Gateway Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

Requires 32-bit Domino

SYSTEM i:

i 5.4 IBM POWER 64-bit or i 6.1 IBM POWER 64-bit or i 7.1 IBM POWER 64-bit

Classic Meeting Server;

Community Server;

Gateway Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

 

SYSTEM z:

(Sametime 8.5.1)

Community Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

(Sametime 8.5.1 components)

Requires 64-bit Domino

Requires 64-bit Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 5.0 (RHEL) Advanced Platform or SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 10.0 SP1 System z

Windows 2003 SP1 / Windows 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition x86-32 or Standard Edition x86-32

Classic Meeting Server;

Community Server;

TURN Server;

Bandwidth Manager Server;

Gateway Server;

Media Manager Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

For IPv6 support, both IPv4 and IPv6 stacks must be enabled

Windows 2003 / Windows 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition x86-64 or Standard Edition x86-64

Classic Meeting Server;

Community Server;

TURN Server;

Bandwidth Manager Server;

Gateway Server;

Media Manager Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

For IPv6 support, both IPv4 and IPv6 stacks must be enabled

Windows 2008 Enterprise Edition x86-32 or Standard Edition x86-32

Classic Meeting Server;

Community Server;

TURN Server;

Bandwidth Manager Server;

Gateway Server;

Media Manager Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

 

Windows 2008 / Windows 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition x86-64 or Standard Edition x86-64

Classic Meeting Server;

Community Server;

TURN Server;

Bandwidth Manager Server;

Gateway Server;

Media Manager Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

Requires 32-bit Domino

Additional information about System i requirements can be found at given website: https://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=203&uid=swg21092193.

The following table summarizes the disk space requirements for the various Sametime 8.5.2 Standard server components. Note that these are only minimum recommendations; you should plan to allow for additional space for growth and any future server upgrades.

Operating system

Sametime 8.5.2 Standard server component

Disk space requirements

AIX

Classic Meeting Server

2 GB minimum

 

Community Server

2 GB minimum

 

Gateway Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

9 GB configurable space, plus 1 GB available in /tmp

Linux

Classic Meeting Server;

Community Server

2 GB minimum

 

TURN Server;

Bandwidth Manager Server;

Gateway Server;

Media Manager Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

9 GB configurable space, plus 1 GB available in /tmp

Solaris

Classic Meeting Server;

Community Server

2 GB minimum

 

Gateway Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

9 GB configurable space, plus 1 GB available in /tmp

SYSTEM i

Classic Meeting Server;

Community Server

2GB minimum for each Sametime server; minimum of 4 Disk Drives (arms)

 

Gateway Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

5 GB free space (3 GB minimum) with a minimum of 6 disk drives with a caching disk controller

SYSTEM z

(Sametime 8.5.1)

Community Server

10 GB minimum

 

Meeting Server

2.5 GB configurable space, plus 2 GB available in /home, and 1 GB available in /tmp

 

Proxy Server

9 GB configurable space, plus 1 GB available in /tmp space

 

System Console Server

2.5 GB configurable space, plus 2 GB available in /home, and 1 GB available in /tmp

Windows

Classic Meeting Server, Community Server

2 GB minimum

 

TURN Server;

Bandwidth Manager Server;

Gateway Server;

Media Manager Server;

Meeting Server;

Proxy Server;

System Console Server

8.5 GB configurable space, plus 1.5 GB available in %TEMP%

The following table gives minimum memory recommendations. It may be easier to include additional memory in a new server purchase rather than justify additional memory later. So, plan accordingly!

Operating system

Minimum memory (RAM) recommended

AIX

Linux

Solaris

Windows

4GB physical memory (RAM) minimum per server component

SYSTEM i

6 GB physical memory (RAM) minimum for Gateway, System Console Server, Meeting Server and Proxy Server; 4 GB physical memory (RAM) minimum for Community Server and Classic Meeting Server plus 1 GB for each additional Sametime and Domino server

Finally, Sametime 8.5.2 requires DB2 database software and the integration of Sametime with an LDAP server. DB2 software is included as part of the Sametime package. Refer to the release notes for details about specific system requirements, compatibility with LDAP servers, or any other unique requirements you may have for your environment.

Sametime 8.5.2 clients: Something for everyone!


We have discussed many of the nuances of Sametime 8.5.2 servers. Let us now turn our attention to Sametime clients. Sametime 8.5.2 offers not only server architecture flexibility but many client options as well. Companies and organizations can pick and choose how they deploy and provide Sametime services for their users.

Let us start with the Sametime Connect Client. This is the primary Sametime client. If you are already a user of Sametime software, then you may be most familiar with this client. In Sametime 8.5.2, if your environment includes a Meeting Server, then your users will see a new Sametime Meetings section in their client view.

Lotus Notes 8.5.x users with the embedded Sametime client will see it as well. Refer to the Sametime Meetings area in the following screenshot:

If you click on the meeting icon, then a new dialog box appears that shows several options for what will be displayed in the Sametime Meetings area. Scheduled Meetings displays all meeting events, and you can click on the item to quickly join the meeting.

To set preferences for meeting room servers, a new section has been added to the preference list. Sametime Meeting Rooms allows users to create profiles for each meeting room server community to which they belong.

Meetings can also be accessed directly from the new Sametime meeting shelf. In Sametime 8.5.2, meetings are now "virtual conference rooms" in that the meetings are persistent and users will not have to schedule them each time they need to meet online.

The best meeting experience is from the rich meeting client that users simply either access through the Sametime Connect client or the embedded Sametime client by clicking on Enter Room. Some new meeting features include:

  • The ability to add or invite additional attendees to the meeting, by simply dragging their name from their Sametime Contact list into the meeting room

  • Customization of the meeting room layout by dragging areas and resizing

  • Photos of participants can be included, and audio and video integration is much simpler to use than in previous versions of Sametime

  • Client-side recording of meeting

Meeting rooms can also be accessed from a web view which is hosted by the Meeting Server's HTTP proxy. The new web meeting view has a similar appearance to that in the rich meeting room client. However, users cannot modify the screen layout dynamically and there are a reduced set of features. If a user is on the Proxy client, then they will automatically be directed into the browser interface for their meeting as the Proxy client has no rich meeting client available to it. Whichever meeting client you use, you and your users will notice how quickly the meeting rooms load in the browser. In previous versions of Sametime, a Java applet was required to load first. This was sometimes difficult to implement especially when users did not have administrative access to their workstations or were working from kiosks. With the Ajax underpinnings of the new web interface, this is no longer an issue. And meetings are easier to join—with just a single click.

Sametime 8.5.2 introduced a new client—a lightweight browser-based client that can also be used by smartphone clients such as iPhone, iPads, and Android devices. These new Sametime clients include functions such as awareness, online status, business cards, and group messaging.

The following table describes Sametime client operating systems and browser support. Check out the following website for more detailed and up-to-date information: https://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27016451.

Client

Operating system

Operating system releases and browsers supported

Sametime Connect

Windows

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2 or later;

Microsoft Windows XP Pro 64-bit (32-bit certification only);

Microsoft Windows Vista Business 32-bit (note "Aero" GUI support for all Vista versions);

Microsoft Windows Vista Business 64-bit;

Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise;

Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition;

Meeting Playback: VideoLan Client (VLC) Media player;

Note: 2 GB physical memory (RAM) recommended, 1GB minimum

Lotus Notes embedded client

Windows

IBM Lotus Notes 8.5.1 FP1 standard (with Sametime 8.5 client upgrade installed);

Sametime 8.5 supports Meetings calendar integration through Notes 8.5.1 FP1 standard

Web browser

Windows

Mozilla Firefox 2.0 on Microsoft Windows XP Pro, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5.2, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) 10 SP2;

Mozilla Firefox 3.0 on Microsoft Windows XP Pro and Windows Vista;

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 on Microsoft Windows XP Pro;

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 on Microsoft Windows XP Pro, Microsoft Windows Vista, and Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC;

Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0 on Microsoft Windows XP Pro, Microsoft Windows Vista, and Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC;

Web client JDK/SDK;

IBM or Sun JRE 1.5, and 1.6 for Web Conferencing;

IBM or Sun JRE 1.5 and 1.6 for STLinks API applications;

Audio/video not supported except in Classic Meetings

 

Linux

Mozilla Firefox 2.0 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5.2, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) 10 SP2;

Mozilla Firefox 3.0 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5.2. Note: Mozilla Firefox 3.0 is not supported on SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) 10 SP2 since the operating system patch is required to run it.;

Audio/video not supported

 

Mac

Apple—Safari 3.2 and 4.0.x on Mac OSX 10.5.x;

Mozilla Firefox 3.0 on Mac OSX 10.5.x;

Web client JDK/SDK;

IBM or Sun JRE 1.5 for Web Conferencing;

IBM or Sun JRE 1.5 and 1.6 for STLinks API applications;

Audio/video not supported

Mobile

Windows

Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 SE Pocket PC;

Microsoft Windows Mobile 5 PocketPC/Smartphone;

Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 and 6.1 Standard/Professional

 

Nokia

ESeries

 

iPhone

Apple iPhone first generation 3G, 3GS (2.x or higher OS versions) and all supported Apple—Safari browser versions;

Apple iPod Touch first and second generations with all supported Apple—Safari browser versions

 

Android

OS2 and higher

 

RIM Blackberry

7100, 8100, 8700, 8300, 8800, 9000, 9530

 

Sony Ericsson

M600i, P990i, P1i

The Sametime system offerings


Sametime is not a "one size fits all" offering. You have the power to decide what level of Sametime you would like to license and install based on the feature level that makes sense for your organization. There are four levels of Sametime available: Entry, Standard, Advanced, and Unified Telephony. Each subsequent level adds features to the previous level and determines what options you will have at your disposal.

Sametime Entry: Sametime Entry is the "get your feet wet" version of Sametime. As its name suggests, it provides a basic set of options which include: instant messaging, online awareness, geographic information, screen capture, and Microsoft product integration.

Sametime Standard: Sametime Standard takes instant messaging to the next level by building on the Sametime Entry features to include: file transfers, screen captures, alerts, voice and video chats, web conferencing with video and/or audio as well as screen sharing and chat over VoIP networks; integration with public IM systems such as AOL and Google through the Sametime Gateway system. Some integrated telephony voice options are available with third-party vendor support such as "click to call" and call management. Users can communicate with their Sametime contacts with mobile devices such as Blackberries, iPhones, iPads, Android, and Windows Mobile phones.

Sametime Advanced: Sametime Advanced adds the additional functionality of social networking features in your instant messaging client. Sametime Advanced offers a persistent chat room service, broadcast chat messages, the ability to set up instant surveys, screen sharing, and remote machine control all from within the Sametime client. In addition, in many ways the social networking features of Sametime Advanced act as a real-time complement to those of IBM Connections. Sametime Advanced provides the ability to build communities people can subscribe to, enabling them to share their knowledge amongst a group of like users and send out questions and discussions to those community users in real time.

Sametime Unified Telephony: Sametime Unified Telephony adds "unified communication" functionality. Many organizations are seeking to integrate chat, email, and office applications, with what has typically been only phone-based functionality such as voice mail, call routing, and caller presence. Sametime Unified Telephony adds those features to the Sametime product set.

Feature

Sametime Entry

Sametime Standard

Sametime Advanced

Sametime Unified Telephony

Instant messaging

 

Presence awareness

 

Persistent group chat

  

 

Broadcast

  

 

Instant screen sharing

  

 

Microsoft Office/Outlook integration

 

Web conferencing

 

 

VoIP chat

 

Video

 

Support for mobile devices

 

Interoperability with supported public IM networks

 

 

Softphone

   

Click to call/conference

   

A more complete list of available options for each Sametime offering can be found at http://www.ibm.com/software/lotus/products/sametime/versioncompare/.

Sametime also has the ability to connect with external instant messaging communities through the Sametime Gateway. The Sametime Gateway is an additional server that communicates between your Sametime environment and other messaging environments such as AOL Instant Messenger, Google Talk, and other communities that use the XMPP protocol.

For more information on Sametime Gateway, please review http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/sametime/v8r5/index.jsp?topic=/com.ibm.help.sametime.v85.doc/overview/over_server_gw.html.

Understanding Sametime licensing


You may be ready to implement or upgrade Sametime. What software licenses are required? Both Sametime Entry and Sametime Standard are at, as of the time of publication, version 8.5.2. Licensing is required for the Sametime server only.

What about Sametime Entry? Perhaps your organization or company only wants to implement instant messaging. Sametime Entry would be a good solution for you. Sametime Entry requires the Community Server component only. To determine what you require for hardware or operating system requirements, review the tables earlier in the chapter for the specific requirements for a Community Server and the operating systems that will support it. Sametime Entry will support connectivity for the Sametime Connect Client, the embedded Lotus Notes client (Lotus Notes 8.5.1 FP2 at a minimum is required) or a Microsoft Outlook enabled client.

Sametime Advanced requires the installation of additional software applications and is currently at version 8.5.2. These additional applications include an LDAP directory, DB2, WebSphere MQ, and WebSphere Event Broker. Licensing Sametime Advanced grants you the license to run DB2 and the WebSphere components.

Sametime Unified Telephony also requires separate licensing and software, and is currently at version 8.5.2. In addition to the Sametime server software, the Telephony Control Server and Telephony Application Server must be installed. This bundles together and installs Tivoli System Automation for multi-platforms, Telephony Application Server Framework, WebSphere Application Server, and Tivoli Directory Integrator. The Sametime Unified Telephony license grants you the authority to run these additional software tools in the bundle.

Why install or upgrade to Sametime 8.5.2?


Should you install or upgrade to Sametime 8.5.2? You or your organization may be reviewing options for a new instant messaging and/or web conferencing system. Perhaps you are considering whether or not to upgrade your existing Sametime servers that are currently meeting your requirements. In either case, there are several key points to consider.

First, if you already have a Sametime environment you should be aware that Sametime 7.5.x is being moved to end-of-life status by IBM in September 2011. What does this actually mean for you? If you are running Sametime 7.5.x or earlier, then you can continue to do so. However, after end-of-life you will no longer be able to get support or fixes for it if you have problems.

In addition, if you are upgrading your Domino environment to the 8.5.x versions, then you will also need to upgrade your Sametime server to 8.5.2 as this is the only version fully supported by IBM on Domino 8.5.x.

Flexibility

Unlike previous versions, Sametime 8.5.2 has been designed to run as separate server components that integrate together. Although the Instant Messaging component remains as a task running under Domino, the other server elements are applications managed by WAS.

WAS is IBM's application management server environment. Deployment, security, clustering, performance management, and availability are part of the benefit of WAS, so applications running under the control of WAS are able to leverage these for their own services. A single WAS server can, and usually does, run several different applications in their own discrete and isolated logical space.

Multiple instances of Sametime Meeting Server or Sametime Proxy Server can be clustered by WAS. The configuration of the servers as well as their running state will be maintained and managed by WebSphere's Network Deployment Manager. Network Deployment Manager is a specific WAS server that manages clusters of servers deployed on secondary hardware. In this way, if one Meeting Server is unavailable, another will take over and provide the same service.

The following Sametime 8.5.2 servers and services run under WAS:

  • Sametime Meeting Server

  • Sametime Meeting HTTP Proxy

  • Sametime System Console

  • Sametime Proxy Server

  • Sametime Media Manager

You also have the Instant Messaging component running under Domino. To further increase Instant Messaging capacity per server, we can move the Multiplexor service from the Domino server onto its own hardware. The Multiplexor (or MUX) is responsible for connecting client requests to the Sametime Community Server and usually runs alongside the other Sametime Community services. However, the MUX can be moved to separate hardware and doing so will increase the capacity of a single Sametime Community Server tenfold. This is possible because the MUX will maintain a single network connection between it and the Sametime Community Server instead of allowing every client to connect on its own network connection to the Sametime Community Server directly. Using multiple MUX services is a method for improving the reliability and performance of your instant messaging environment.

If you are interested in clustering your instant messaging services, then, as in previous versions, Sametime Community Server can leverage Domino's clustering capabilities to provision its own Instant Messaging cluster, which will support both load balancing and failover.

When designing your Sametime infrastructure, it is entirely up to you how many servers you want to have running the applications and features you need. What follows are some examples of server implementations so you can see how flexible the Sametime server architecture can be.

Example: Instant Messaging only with multiple servers

If your company is interested primarily in instant messaging, then you can deploy Sametime 8.5.2 with only that service. The Instant Messaging infrastructure and deployment in 8.5.2 is very similar to earlier versions of Sametime as it runs on a supported Domino server platform.

In the following example, we have deployed two separate Sametime 8.5.2 Instant Messaging servers, each of which is providing instant messaging services to users in its own region. Both servers in the screenshot are in a shared Sametime Community so users on either server can see each other.

As you will see, only two servers are in use in the following diagram, and there is no failover:

Example: A pilot install

This is the design of the default pilot install of all Sametime 8.5.2 elements as per IBM's documentation. It requires only two servers, one as a platform for Domino and one as a platform for WebSphere. The WebSphere elements, which are all installed onto a single server, require significant combined resources to run concurrently. This configuration is recommended for pilot and test deployments only, and should not be used for production environments.

There is no failover in this design and only two servers. Although the Instant Messaging elements can be expanded with additional servers, the Meeting, Media, and Proxy servers would need to be rebuilt to increase resources.

Example: A small install with room for future growth

In this design, the Meeting, Proxy, and Media Manager Servers are installed each on their own hardware. With this scenario, there is the option in the future of introducing additional Proxy and Meeting Servers into the cluster to provide failover services. The Media Manager can now be clustered.

Example: A clustered install with multiple failover

A clustered install with a provision for multiple failover would be an example of the basis for an enterprise-level design. Each component has been installed, where possible, with a cluster mate to provide failover capabilities. As we mentioned previously, the only servers that cannot be clustered are the Media Manager and the SSC itself.

Features

What specific features of Sametime should you consider as targeted reasons for an upgrade or install? As we have already described briefly, the re-design of the Sametime infrastructure in 8.5.2 has also provided the following significant feature enhancements across the board.

  • New Lightweight Client: The Sametime Proxy Server introduces a new browser-based Sametime client. This client requires nothing more than a supported browser to provide a fast and customizable instant messaging and meeting experience. There is nothing for the user to download or install.

  • Persistent Meetings: The new Sametime Meeting Server creates meeting places that are persistent with no start and end time and no duration. These persistent meetings places can be re-used repeatedly. For example, you may create a meeting place for a project you are working in, and have weekly reviews of that project in the same place each week. The Meeting Server tracks activity that happened each time in each meeting place allowing you to review previous activity.

  • Improved Audio and Video: The audio and video services have been separated from the Meeting Server and now run under the management of the Media Manager. The Media Manager supplies audio and video services both to the Sametime clients and to the Meeting Server itself for web conferences. The Media Manager provides audio and video functionality for both person-to-person and multi-way calls. The addition of the TURN server to handle client connections on a different network also now enables the audio and video services through a firewall.

  • Performance Improvements: The previous Sametime Meeting Center used Java applets and the T.120 protocol, both of which presented problems in deployment. Java applets have always been very slow to download and initiate on the client. Installing Java applets in modern browsers with strict security settings has become increasingly difficult. With advanced HTML5 programming, it has been possible to remove these completely. Additionally, the HTTP protocol is now utilized across the board to provide in-meeting services such as screen sharing and white boarding. The combination of the use of HTTP and HTML5 has dramatically improved performance, client load times, access through firewalls, and reduced network bandwidth consumption. In addition, the new Bandwidth Manager manages the network traffic generated by the Media Manager making it possible to constrain audio and video quality to address network limitations or bottlenecks.

  • Mobility: There are now Sametime Instant Messaging clients available for a wide and expanding range of mobile devices including:

    • Blackberry 5.0 and 6.0 (9000 and 9350)

    • Sony Ericsson M600/P900/P1

    • Android devices running OS 2.0 and higher

    • Devices running Windows Mobile 5, 6, and 6.5

    • iPhone and iPad OS3 and OS4 use the lightweight browser client, which will also work for many other mobile devices with advanced browsers

  • Telephony: Sametime 8.5.2 with the new Media Manager can support point-to-point as well as multi-point voice and video calls between Sametime clients and in meetings. It uses the SIP protocol and standard voice and video codecs so it easily integrates with other voice or video systems supporting up to 20 participants in a single meeting.

  • We will talk more in a later chapter about Sametime Unified Telephony, which is a separately licensed product from IBM that integrates with your instant messaging and web conferencing environment.

Integration

Sametime and the use of instant messaging are central to many other Lotus products you may already have or are deploying. The Sametime embedded client ships and installs with Lotus Notes and is also available through a browser interface. Sametime functionality such as chatting and online awareness can also be integrated with Microsoft Office products, including Microsoft Outlook.

Frequently, when we talk about Sametime integration we are usually talking presence awareness. Presence awareness is the ability to see if someone is online and if they are, to initiate a chat. In the Sametime embedded client used with Lotus Notes, awareness icons appear in not only in the Sametime sidebar, but also in the mail inbox. Users can click to chat from the inbox, as shown in the following screenshot:

A unified icon set is used across all clients, so for example in iNotes, you will see the familiar online status icon.

There is Sametime integration in IBM Connections, Lotus Quickr, and virtually every other collaborative solution IBM delivers. Additionally, it is very simple to add Sametime awareness to any web application regardless of the hosting platform. With all of these potential interfaces, consider how "connected in real time" you and your organization might be!

Summary


In this chapter, you learned about the new features of Sametime 8.5.2, both for the server and for the client. You learned about the Sametime 8.5.2 server architecture and how it differs from prior versions. You found what requirements exist for operating systems and hardware configurations, as well as the licensing involved. You saw some sample Sametime system configurations and how each one might work for a particular situation. Finally, you learned the reasons why upgrading to Sametime 8.5.2 is a good idea. In the next chapter you will learn about each of the servers that comprise a Sametime environment, their requirements for server and operating systems, and how they interact with each other.

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Key benefits

  • Discover all the servers and components included in the new Sametime 8.5.2 architecture with this book and eBook
  • Quickly zero in on which server components provide the features you need for your Sametime environment
  • Understand the dependencies between different servers and how to design both a pilot and production environment
  • Learn key skills to administer your Sametime environment optimally– including Domino and WebSphere Application Server architecture and troubleshooting
  • Includes lots of screenshots and examples to aid you in planning, installation, and configuration, and links to additional resources for the latest Sametime information
  • Written by Sametime experts with many hours of field experience, the book is filled with practical advice. The authors have done the work and read the documentation so you don't have to!

Description

Sametime 8.5.2 delivers a state-of-the-art enterprise-ready instant messaging and meeting service. This Administrator's Guide navigates through the range of Sametime server components and features, providing you with the essential information required to install, administer and troubleshoot your Sametime 8.5.2 environment.The IBM Sametime 8.5.2 Administration Guide cuts through the complexity of architecting, installing, and administering all the moving parts of the latest version of Sametime. With this book, you will be able to make the necessary decisions when it comes to choosing which server components you need and how to install them to get the most performance and maintainability from the software. Starting with an overview of Sametime 8.5.2, you will then dive into each server component. You learn what each one does, why it might be needed in your environment, and what you need to have in place to run it. By the end, you’ll have Sametime running and configured properly for your particular situation.With flexibility comes complexity-- but not with this guide. You’ll learn how different architectures are possible and how to prepare properly for the installation of Sametime. You’ll learn how to install the servers in the right order so that you can maintain and expand your environment in the future. You’ll also find out how best to monitor your Sametime environment for issues, as well as how to effectively troubleshoot those problems so that you can quickly get Sametime running again.The IBM Sametime 8.5.2 Administration Guide is the perfect one-stop resource for learning important installation and configuration details quickly and easily.

Who is this book for?

If you are responsible for installing and administering Sametime 8.5.2, then this book is for you. If you’re completely new to Sametime administration, this book will serve as your roadmap. If you’re making the jump from a prior version of Sametime, then you’ll see how Sametime 8.5.2 differs and how you work with the new configuration. Even if you already have Sametime 8.5.2 up and running, this guide will answer those questions you may still have of why and how the various server components work.

What you will learn

  • Explore the server components that make up the Sametime 8.5.2 offering.
  • Discover the requirements for each server, along with the features each provides - alone and integrated with other servers.
  • Understand how to install each Sametime server and how to make installation choices that will support your infrastructure into the future.
  • Explore how the WebSphere Application Server (WAS) architecture is used to run Sametime servers and how WAS impacts your system design.
  • Design your Sametime environment to meet your current requirements and learn how you can build to allow for future growth.
  • Discover how to use your corporate directory for authentication for Sametime.
  • Attain the necessary skills for integrating business cards into your Sametime environment.
  • Explore the new options for connecting remotely to Sametime with mobile devices.
  • Discover the optional features: Sametime Telephony, Sametime Advanced and Sametime Gateway and how they can extend your environment.
  • Master the best practices for administering and troubleshooting your Sametime environment.

Product Details

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Publication date : Nov 17, 2011
Length: 484 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781849683043
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Length: 484 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781849683043
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Table of Contents

12 Chapters
Collaborate in Real Time: Introducing Sametime 8.5.2 Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
The Sametime 8.5.2 Servers—Up Close and Personal Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Telephony Integration: Working with Sametime Telephony Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
The Infrastructure: Understanding Sametime and WebSphere Application Server Architecture Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Executive Decisions: Preparing for your Sametime 8.5.2 Installation Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Ready, Set, Install: Installing Sametime 8.5.2 Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Collaborate Securely: Setting up Authentication and Securing your Sametime Environment Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Making it Personal: Using Sametime Business Card Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Extending the Sametime Environment: Connecting to Sametime Advanced and Sametime Gateway Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
The End User Experience: Preparing for Sametime Client Deployments Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Collaborate from Anywhere: Sametime 8.5.2 and Mobile Devices Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing and Monitoring the Sametime 8.5.2 Server Environment Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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1 star 11.1%
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Scott Edwards Jan 03, 2012
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Great walk through of the technology and "real world" scenarios. Makes a welcome reference that ties together several whitepapers, redbooks and technotes for a complete deployment.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Jim Casale Dec 13, 2011
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
I've received my copy of IBM Sametime 8.5.2 Administration Guide and I can say I was eagerly looking forward to reading it. I was not disappointed. The book clearly covers Sametime 8.5.2 from A to Z.One thing that struck me in a positive way is how logically the chapters are arranged. Starting with an overview of Sametime, including what's new in 8.5.2, the book covers topics that include infrastructure, different features including telephony integration, and Sametime security, to name just a few. One has the feeling that this is how IBM should have written the documentation for Sametime. I know I have at one time or another had that feeling that IBM's documentation was missing a piece of information that could have made my life a lot easier. This book would have done just that - made installing Sametime much easier.The book is full of charts and tables. For example, it has a list of Sametime server system requirements. Instead of using the IBM term "32-bitness" the book actually spells out in plain English language which versions of Sametime and their components run on which version of each supported operating system. I would dare say the price of the book is worth this type of information alone. One neat feature of this book is the really helpful "checklists". Not only do these checklists force you to have the required information before your first click of a Sametime install, the checklists make system documentation much easier. All user names, hostnames, passwords, etc all ready to be printed out and binded.The book covers basic information and more advanced topics. The writing is such that a beginner will not have a hard time understanding what is being described, and advanced administrators will not be bored either. The writing style is concise and informative. There are numerous instances where learn by experience tips are given. These tips should be noted as they will come in handy when you are performing your Sametime install.Here are a few of items that really impressed me with this book.Sametime worksheets/checklistsSeveral example scenarios for each topic are outlined in the Chapter introductionTroubleshooting and additional resources sectionsExcellent WAS information for Domino Administrators who are just getting started with WASOverall I feel this book covers just about every aspect of Sametime you need or want to know. The book is easy to read and covers advanced information and concepts with ease.If I had to describe this book I would say it's similar to some recent Lotusphere presentations:IBM Lotus Sametime 8.5: From "Zero to Hero" in Just Two Hours on SteroidsNote: PACKT provided me with a free copy of the book for my services.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Martijn de Jong Dec 30, 2011
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book was written by three people who definitely made their mark in the IBM Lotus Community and are known for giving great presentations on this subject. The goal of the book is to help administrators and architects who want to start using or upgrade to Lotus Sametime 8.5.x, to plan, install and administer this new environment. I feel they've succeeded in this attempt. They've come up with a book that's complete and well structured.The book starts off with an explanation of the different components in the Lotus Sametime portfolio. As the Sametime Standard Server alone already consists of 8 different parts, that's very welcome. Not every company will need all the components and the book describes clearly when you need which component. The book also describes the other Sametime licenses which add extra components to the Sametime infrastructure: Sametime Advanced and Sametime Unified Telephony. While the first is handled like the other Sametime components, the latter is out of scope for the rest of this book. A very nice addition in this book is the extensive list with system requirements for all OS versions and the components that are available for a particular OS version (e.g. not all components are available for AIX or IBM System i).Since Sametime 8.5, many of the Sametime components have to be installed on IBM WebSphere. This is a large change for administrators/architects who were used to previous versions of Sametime. Before only the Sametime Gateway and Sametime Advanced had to be installed on WebSphere, but those components weren't installed that often. With Sametime 8.5, there's no escape from installing components on WebSphere if you'd like to do more than just instant messaging (and even then you might want to install the Proxy WebSphere component). The book describes those parts of the WebSphere architecture that are relevant for installing the Sametime components. The book also gives you a good start in how to install IBM WebSphere and gives an administrator the feeling he/she will be able to install and administer the Sametime WebSphere components successfully. The book focuses next on several installation scenario's and here it becomes very clear that the authors have a broad experience in installing Lotus Sametime 8.5.x. The Sametime clients also get their share of attention including how to administer the clients using policies. The book finishes with how to administer and monitor the Sametime environment.I noticed that on Amazon next to many positive reviews, there was also a review of someone who felt this book didn't add anything to the already existing information. I couldn't disagree more. There's a lot of information in the wiki's and the information center for Sametime, but a real overview over the entire product and well structured information for someone who needs to start with Sametime 8.5.x are hard to find. This book has great value for anyone who would like to do something with Lotus Sametime 8.5.x.This doesn't mean there's nothing to criticize. Something which disturbed me while reading the book was the mixing up of version numbers. It looks as if part of the book was written before the release of Sametime 8.5.2 and when this release became available they did a search & replace not only on 8.5.1, but also on 8.5. This leads to sentences like "In versions of Sametime prior to 8.5.2 it was relatively simple to install Sametime server software. It was a single package...". The .2 addition here, simply makes this sentence incorrect. In my opinion, it would have been better to speak of Sametime 8.5.x and spend a separate part of what's new in Sametime 8.5.2. In the remainder of the book they could have put a warning sign when they discussed components, like the bandwidth manager, which are only available in version 8.5.2 and higher. This would also make it easier to update the book for Sametime 8.5.3 once it becomes available. Another criticism are the items which are not mentioned. For an architect or administrator it's often interesting to read what a product can't do, as this means they can stop searching on how to get it done. Although none of the authors is employed by IBM, you won't find this kind of critical comments in this book. You won't find e.g. that the Sametime Gateway can't connect to the MSN network. It does btw integrate with Microsoft OCS/Lync though that's also not mentioned in the book. However, these small flaws do not change the fact that this is a very well written and very useful book. A must have for anyone who plans to do something with Sametime 8.5.x in their company!
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Andrew Pollack Dec 08, 2011
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Nearly 500 pages of content from three of the best Domino and Sametime admins in the world. I am fortunate enough to know all three personally, and can tell you that they checked every single word and tested every single suggestion and recommendation in this book personally. There are very few people in the world who are personally responsible for more end users using Sametime, for more servers running it, or for more integration projects with it.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Ulrich Krause Jan 21, 2012
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
It took me a while to go thru all of the content, but inally I made it and here is my review.IBM Sametime 8.5.2 Administration Guide was written by Gabriella Davis, Marie L. Scott and Thomas "Duffbert" Duff.I have attended sessions by Gabriella Davis and Thomas Duff at several conferences and while reading the book, I sometimes felt like sitting in the audience and hear Gabriella and Tom talking. I never had the chance to meet Marie L. Scott but I'm sure that she is as enthusiastic as the other authors.All of them have a deep knowledge and so is the content of the book.Every detail of the installation and administration is covered and one should be able to setup a Sametime environment following the description in the book step by step. If I only had this book a year ago, it would have saved me a lot of time then.My first installation took me more than a week. One week with reading documentation, hanging around in forums and chatting with IBMer Frank Altenburg. And a lot of try and error.Be asured that, following the book, you can do the installation in less time.Also, if you are new to Websphere, this book is for you. IBM Sametime is not as easy to setup as double-click a setup.exe and wait. There are many places to look into and numerous properties that can be set or eaven been set wrong.You can do it the hard way and find out on your own, or invest some money buying this book. There will be an immediate ROI.The book may also help planning the resources by finding out, what exactly is needed, both hardware and soft skills.I recommend "IBM Sametime 8.5.2 Administration Guide" to everyone who is new to Sametime, wants to upgrade from an older version and even to those, who already have a Sametime 8.5.x environment running. You will for sure find something in the book that is new to you.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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FAQs

What is included in a Packt subscription? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

A subscription provides you with full access to view all Packt and licnesed content online, this includes exclusive access to Early Access titles. Depending on the tier chosen you can also earn credits and discounts to use for owning content

How can I cancel my subscription? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

To cancel your subscription with us simply go to the account page - found in the top right of the page or at https://subscription.packtpub.com/my-account/subscription - From here you will see the ‘cancel subscription’ button in the grey box with your subscription information in.

What are credits? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Credits can be earned from reading 40 section of any title within the payment cycle - a month starting from the day of subscription payment. You also earn a Credit every month if you subscribe to our annual or 18 month plans. Credits can be used to buy books DRM free, the same way that you would pay for a book. Your credits can be found in the subscription homepage - subscription.packtpub.com - clicking on ‘the my’ library dropdown and selecting ‘credits’.

What happens if an Early Access Course is cancelled? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Projects are rarely cancelled, but sometimes it's unavoidable. If an Early Access course is cancelled or excessively delayed, you can exchange your purchase for another course. For further details, please contact us here.

Where can I send feedback about an Early Access title? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

If you have any feedback about the product you're reading, or Early Access in general, then please fill out a contact form here and we'll make sure the feedback gets to the right team. 

Can I download the code files for Early Access titles? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

We try to ensure that all books in Early Access have code available to use, download, and fork on GitHub. This helps us be more agile in the development of the book, and helps keep the often changing code base of new versions and new technologies as up to date as possible. Unfortunately, however, there will be rare cases when it is not possible for us to have downloadable code samples available until publication.

When we publish the book, the code files will also be available to download from the Packt website.

How accurate is the publication date? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

The publication date is as accurate as we can be at any point in the project. Unfortunately, delays can happen. Often those delays are out of our control, such as changes to the technology code base or delays in the tech release. We do our best to give you an accurate estimate of the publication date at any given time, and as more chapters are delivered, the more accurate the delivery date will become.

How will I know when new chapters are ready? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

We'll let you know every time there has been an update to a course that you've bought in Early Access. You'll get an email to let you know there has been a new chapter, or a change to a previous chapter. The new chapters are automatically added to your account, so you can also check back there any time you're ready and download or read them online.

I am a Packt subscriber, do I get Early Access? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Yes, all Early Access content is fully available through your subscription. You will need to have a paid for or active trial subscription in order to access all titles.

How is Early Access delivered? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Early Access is currently only available as a PDF or through our online reader. As we make changes or add new chapters, the files in your Packt account will be updated so you can download them again or view them online immediately.

How do I buy Early Access content? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Early Access is a way of us getting our content to you quicker, but the method of buying the Early Access course is still the same. Just find the course you want to buy, go through the check-out steps, and you’ll get a confirmation email from us with information and a link to the relevant Early Access courses.

What is Early Access? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Keeping up to date with the latest technology is difficult; new versions, new frameworks, new techniques. This feature gives you a head-start to our content, as it's being created. With Early Access you'll receive each chapter as it's written, and get regular updates throughout the product's development, as well as the final course as soon as it's ready.We created Early Access as a means of giving you the information you need, as soon as it's available. As we go through the process of developing a course, 99% of it can be ready but we can't publish until that last 1% falls in to place. Early Access helps to unlock the potential of our content early, to help you start your learning when you need it most. You not only get access to every chapter as it's delivered, edited, and updated, but you'll also get the finalized, DRM-free product to download in any format you want when it's published. As a member of Packt, you'll also be eligible for our exclusive offers, including a free course every day, and discounts on new and popular titles.