Unified Messaging FAQQ: What PBX’s gateways does Exchange 2007 currently support?
A: Exchange 2007 supports VoIP gateways from Intel (PIMG and TIMG gateways) and AudioCodes (MediaPack and Mediant2000). This collection of gateways allows Exchange 2007 UM to connect to a large range of PBXs. In addition the Cisco Call Manager [version 5.0] has been tested and works natively with Exchange 2007 UM. Q: Does Exchange 2007 require CSTA compatibility with the PBX gateway? What PBX’s gateways support the WMA and Exchange 2007 format? Is that a CSTA standard?
A: No. Exchange 2007 UM does not use CSTA gateways. None of the gateways Exchange 2007 works with supports WMA nor are required to support WMA. This is the media format as stored in Exchange. The audio formats used to communicate with the gateways are different. The gateways referenced in the previous question communicate with PBXs through a variety of protocols (e.g. T1/E1 CAS, T1/E1 QSIG, Digital Set Emulation or Analog with SMDI or Inband signaling).
Q: How does a PBX forward WMA files to the exchange server? Through the gateway? What format is used? Where is this configured in Exchange 2007? Where do we configure this on the gateway?
A: The gateway establishes a SIP/RTP connection to the Exchange UM server. The server handles the conversion of the SIP/RTP conversation into the proper file format for storage in the mailbox. Q: Does ISA 2006 do that gateway feature or are we stuck buying 3rd party devices?
A: ISA Server is not directly involved in any Unified Messaging function. Currently to be supported a third party device will need to purchased and configured to use the Unified Messaging features. ISA can be used to publish the UM web service which is used by Outlook 2007 to "Play-on-phone" and configure UM settings. Q: I just deployed a complete IPT solution to 350 users in 12 sites with Cisco Unity and Call Manager... if I deploy Exchange 2007 UM, what role will the Cisco Unity server play if any? A: The Exchange 2007 UM implementation is entirely independent of, and in no way derived from, Cisco Unity. There are similarities because they are both unified messaging systems however the feature sets and architecture differ. Customers will typically elect to use Exchange 2007 UM or Cisco Unity based on their requirements and needs. It’s possible that Unity might be used in some locations and Exchange UM in others. There is no specific interation nor interdependency between Exchange 2007 UM and Cisco Unity
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