Peer-to-peer features are supported for users who are homed on different versions of the server and who are using different client versions. The end-user experience and available features are consistent with the capabilities of the user’s client and the version of the server the user is signed in to. In other words:

• If a user is signed in to Lync Server 2013 with an older client, the user will have the same experience he or she is used to. None of the new features introduced in Lync Server 2013 will be available until the user’s client is upgraded. Examples include video gallery view, HD video, PowerPoint sharing, and the option to mute all attendee audio and video upon meeting entry. The new features are outlined in New conferencing features and What's new for clients.

• If a user is signed in to Lync Server 2010 with a Lync 2013 client, any new features not supported by Lync Server 2010 will be unavailable until the user is moved to Lync Server 2013.

The following table compares feature availability in peer-to-peer sessions where the client is signed in to either Lync Server 2013 or Lync Server 2010.

Note:
Lync Web App and Lync 2010 Attendee are meeting-only clients and aren’t included in this table.

Important:

As of September 1st, 2012, the Microsoft Lync Public IM Connectivity User Subscription License (PIC USL) is no longer available for the purchase for new or renewing agreements. Customers with active licenses will be able to continue to federate with Yahoo! Messenger until the service shutdown date. An end of life date of June 2014 for AOL and Yahoo! has been announced. For details, see Support for public instant messenger connectivity.. The PIC USL is a per-user, per-month subscription license that is required for Lync Server or Office Communications Server to federate with Yahoo! Messenger. Microsoft’s ability to provide this service has been contingent upon support from Yahoo!, the underlying agreement for which will not be renewed. More than ever, Lync is a powerful tool for connecting across organizations and with individuals around the world. Federation with Windows Live Messenger requires no additional user/device licenses beyond the Lync Standard CAL. Skype federation will be added to this list, enabling Lync users to reach hundreds of millions of people through IM and voice.

¹ In Office Communicator 2007 R2, only desktop sharing (and not program sharing) is available.

When users join Lync Server 2010 meetings with a Lync 2013 client, they have access to Lync 2013 client features with the following exceptions:

• In the Participants management options, which are accessible by pointing to the people icon in the meeting window, the No Meeting IM option does not function.

• Gallery View does not function in video conferences. The user sees only the active speaker instead of all speakers. In the list of Pick a Layout options, Gallery View is unavailable

• The participant list displays by default in video conferences.

• When right-clicking a user in the participants list, the Lock the Video Spotlight and Pin to Gallery participant management options are unavailable.

Lync Server 2013 provides new conferencing features that become available to users after their accounts are moved to Lync Server 2013 and they sign in with the Lync 2013 client. Examples include video gallery view, HD video, PowerPoint sharing, and the option to mute all attendee audio and video upon meeting entry. The new features are outlined in New conferencing features and What's new for clients.

In Lync Server 2013 meetings, certain conferencing features are supported for users who are homed on different versions of the server and who are using different clients and client versions. When clients join a Lync Server 2013 meeting, users have access to the features and capabilities shown in this table.

¹ In Office Communicator 2007 R2, only desktop sharing (and not program sharing) is available.

² Lync Server 2013 uses an updated mechanism for uploading PowerPoint files. Lync Web App users who join a meeting that was originally scheduled on Lync Server 2010 can view and navigate PowerPoint presentations, but cannot upload PowerPoint files.

³ If the meeting was scheduled on Lync Server 2013 and PowerPoint slides were uploaded by a Lync 2013 client, Lync 2010 users have view-only access to the slides. Conversely, if the PowerPoint slides were uploaded by a Lync 2010 user, Lync Server 2013 users will be able to view and slides and, if Office Web Apps Server is configured, access new capabilities such as higher resolution display, animations, slide transitions, and embedded video. For more information, see Configuring Integration with Office Web Apps Server and Lync Server 2013.

⁴The presence and IM features in Office Communicator 2007 R2 are compatible with Lync Server 2013, but conferencing features are not. During migration from Office Communications Server 2007 R2, Office Communicator 2007 R2 is suitable for presence and IM interoperability, but users should use Lync Web App 2013 to join Lync Server 2013 meetings.