Operating system support

Only the 64-bit editions of Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 are supported. Windows Server 2003 is not supported.

User and deployment configuration settings

Many configuration settings that were previously kept in Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) or Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) are now stored in the Central Management store. Some user settings, such as the user’s phone number, are still stored in AD DS.

Topology validation and centralization, and server deployment

The Central Management store also stores and manages information about your Lync Server deployment and topology. Before you install any Lync Server role on a server, that server must be added to the topology in the Central Management store. The Central Management Server stores the Central Management store and validates your topology before you deploy any servers.

Command line interface

The Lync Server Management Shell is a new method of administration and management. Lync Server Management Shell is a powerful management interface, built on the Windows PowerShell command line interface, that includes a comprehensive set of cmdlets that are specific to Lync Server 2010. This replaces and greatly expands on LCSCmd.exe.

Graphical administration tools

The new graphical administration tools, called Lync Server Control Panel, are web-based tools so that you can manage your systems from anywhere on the corporate network, without having management software installed. These tools replace the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-ins used in previous versions.

New web-based client

The Microsoft Lync Web App is the new browser-based version of Lync 2010, enabling users who do not have a Lync Server account or do not have the Lync 2010 client installed to participate in meetings. The server software supporting Lync Web App is automatically installed as part of the Front End Server, and needs no other installation steps. This client and server replace the Communicator Web Access feature.

Director server role

The Director is now a true server role. When you configure a server as a Director you cannot home users on it. You can still configure a single Director or a Director pool. The Director is not designated as either a Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition server.

A/V Conferencing Server

For scalability and performance, you can separate A/V Conferencing functionality into its own server role, A/V Conferencing Server. You can configure a single A/V Conferencing Server or a pool. You may still collocate A/V Conferencing Server with the Front End Server as well.

Mediation Server collocation

The Mediation Server can now be collocated with the Front End Server.