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Microsoft Teams Direct Routing connects your existing phone system to Microsoft Teams, letting users make and receive calls on any device. This guide covers infrastructure needs, licensing, setup, and best practices for deploying Direct Routing effectively.
Microsoft Teams Direct Routing integrates external phone lines with Teams, enabling voice calls via PSTN and supporting existing telephony hardware.
Key components for deployment include a certified Session Border Controller (SBC) for secure connectivity and proper network configurations to ensure performance and reliability.
Direct Routing can decrease telephony costs by up to 50%, offering scalability and operational efficiency while enhancing communication capabilities.
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Direct Routing is a powerful feature in Microsoft Teams that enables connections to external phone lines, facilitating voice calls through the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This means organizations can integrate their on-premises telephony infrastructure directly with Microsoft Teams, providing users with the ability to make and receive calls from almost anywhere on any device.
One of the standout benefits of Direct Routing is its interoperability with third-party telephony equipment, such as PBX and analog devices. This flexibility allows organizations to retain their existing hardware investments while moving to a modern communication platform. Additionally, Direct Routing supports integration without the need for on-premises equipment, simplifying the setup and maintenance processes.
Understanding Direct Routing is essential for implementing it effectively. Connecting your on-premises telephony to Microsoft Teams allows seamless voice communication, enhancing collaboration within and outside the organization. This guide covers the necessary infrastructure, licensing, configuration, and optimization steps for a smooth deployment.
To deploy Direct Routing, you need a robust infrastructure that includes specific components and configurations. The most critical element is the Session Border Controller (SBC), which connects Microsoft Teams to the PSTN through secure IP connections. Using a certified SBC with Teams Phone guarantees Microsoft support and seamless integration.
In addition to the SBC, proper network connectivity is essential. Configurations such as Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs), opening specific ports, and implementing failover mechanisms are necessary to ensure connectivity and performance. These elements work together to create a reliable routing solution that supports seamless call routing and communication.
Session Border Controllers (SBCs) are the linchpin of Direct Routing, connecting Microsoft Teams to external telecom providers and securing IP connections. Microsoft ensures compatibility through rigorous testing and collaboration with SBC vendors, guaranteeing that certified SBCs will function seamlessly with Teams Direct Routing.
Security is a top priority when configuring SBCs. The SBC certificate must be signed by a certified authority and include specific attributes such as the Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) and Extended Key Usage (EKU) extensions for both Server and Client Authentication. Additionally, maintaining a private key size of at least 2048 bits is recommended to ensure robust security.
Network connectivity is vital for the functioning of Direct Routing. The SBC must have a public DNS entry associating its FQDN with its public IP address to establish a connection. Certificates for SBCs should include the SBC’s FQDN either as the common name or within the subject alternative name field, ensuring proper identification and secure communication.
Failover mechanisms maintain connectivity during datacenter outages. The SBC attempts to connect to primary, secondary, and tertiary datacenters sequentially, ensuring continuous service even if one or two datacenters are unavailable.
Configuring trusted WAN IP addresses in the Teams Admin Center and opening specific firewall ports facilitate signaling between the SBC and Microsoft cloud services.
Proper licensing and configuration are foundational for Direct Routing. Users need both Teams Phone and Microsoft Teams licenses to utilize Direct Routing. Knowing these requirements ensures smooth deployment and operation of Direct Routing in your organization.
Licensing for Microsoft 365 can vary based on the needs of your organization. For instance, common area phones, designed for shared spaces like lobbies, require a Teams Shared Devices license. This license covers the basic functionalities but does not include Microsoft phone system features, which are essential for enabling advanced calling capabilities.
Organizations like Kent County Council have successfully utilized E5 licensing for Microsoft Teams, enabling both internal and external voice calls efficiently. However, it’s important to note that Direct Routing does not function in Islands mode, which could be a limitation for some users.
Advanced features like call park and cloud-based voicemail can be enabled on common area phones that support these functionalities.
With an Audio Conferencing license, Direct Routing allows Teams users to escalate calls to include PSTN participants. For user groups like GCC High and DoD, avoid assigning this license until Direct Routing is fully configured.
The flexibility of Direct Routing is further enhanced by its support for Microsoft Calling Plan and Operator Connect. This allows users to manage their call routing effectively, combining the benefits of both Direct Routing and Calling Plans. Users with Operator Connect numbers can also leverage Direct Routing for efficient call management.
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Setting up Direct Routing involves several critical steps to ensure seamless phone system management. A supported Session Border Controller (SBC) must be connected to one or more telephony trunks to facilitate this integration.
This setup simplifies management and enhances communication capabilities to enable Microsoft Teams.
Deploying Direct Routing involves enabling specific tenant-level settings like ‘Allow Private Calling’. Administrators must ensure that the SBC is configured according to the vendor’s guidelines before connecting it to Direct Routing. Once these configurations are in place, the connection between the SBC and Teams Phone must be validated to complete the setup.
Direct Routing allows mixing Calling Plans and Direct Routing, providing flexibility in call routing through the SBC. This hybrid approach optimizes call management, including inbound and outbound calls, and ensures robust communication solutions.
Media Bypass improves audio quality by allowing direct connections between Teams endpoints and the SBC, minimizing internet data packet routing. This configuration enhances call quality and reduces latency, making it valuable for SBC setup.
Managing phone numbers in the Teams Admin Center is crucial for Direct Routing. It involves enabling users and configuring voice and voicemail settings for seamless communication. The ‘Voice’ section in the Teams Admin Center provides options for managing phone numbers and call routing configurations.
To assign a phone number to a user, the number must match the user’s country/region. Changing a user’s existing phone numbers involves removing the existing number before assigning a new one, ensuring accuracy and proper routing within the Teams environment.
Optimizing media traffic and ensuring call quality are vital for successful Direct Routing implementation. Prioritizing Quality of Service (QoS) for audio data ensures regulatory compliance and optimized network performance.
This section explores techniques for media traffic optimization and maintaining high call quality.
Media processors in Direct Routing handle media traffic, routing VoIP traffic during calls through the Microsoft Cloud. The IP address ranges for media traffic differ from those for Teams clients, requiring specific network configurations. Adhering to firewall requirements is crucial for ensuring that traffic flows smoothly.
Optimizing media traffic involves configuring the network for distinct IP ranges and prioritizing media traffic. This approach enhances the overall performance and reliability of Microsoft Teams Direct Routing.
Ensuring call quality is paramount for effective communication. The codecs used between the Cloud media processor and the Teams client, such as SILK or G.722, play a significant role in maintaining high call quality. These codecs are selected based on Microsoft’s algorithms and numerous parameters to optimize performance.
Local Media Optimization allows the SBC to handle media traffic locally, reducing the need to route through Microsoft Teams and enhancing call quality. This approach minimizes latency and ensures a superior user experience during calls.
Direct Routing supports various endpoints and devices, including any Teams client. Using certified devices ensures Microsoft support and seamless integration.
Common area phones can also be set up with Direct Routing without requiring a Calling Plan license, making it a cost-effective solution for shared spaces.
Troubleshooting Direct Routing issues involves several steps. Customers should first contact their SBC vendor’s support if any issues are encountered. If the problem is determined to be linked to the SBC, Microsoft will instruct the customer to re-engage the SBC vendor for resolution.
Knowing the support boundaries is crucial for efficient problem resolution. Microsoft can dismiss support requests involving non-certified devices, so it is vital to use certified SBCs and devices to ensure full support.
Direct Routing can reduce telephony costs by up to 50% compared to Microsoft Calling Plans. This cost efficiency allows IT teams to control PSTN connectivity expenses, enhancing budget flexibility.
Additionally, Direct Routing supports scalability, enabling organizations to easily add new users and devices as needed. Advanced call statistics facilitate better decision-making and ensure business continuity, enhancing operational efficiency.
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In summary, Microsoft Teams Direct Routing offers a robust solution for integrating on-premises telephony infrastructure with a modern communication platform. From understanding the essentials to setting up, optimizing, and troubleshooting, this guide has covered all the critical aspects. Embrace the potential of Direct Routing to enhance your organization’s communication, ensuring cost savings, efficiency, and seamless connectivity.
Microsoft Teams Direct Routing enables voice calls through external phone lines by connecting Teams to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This functionality allows for seamless communication beyond the Teams platform.
To ensure proper Direct Routing, the SBC must have a public DNS entry linking its FQDN to its public IP address, and specific firewall ports need to be open. This setup is critical for seamless communication.
To utilize Direct Routing, users need to have both Teams Phone and Microsoft Teams licenses assigned.
To manage phone numbers in the Teams Admin Center, navigate to the 'Voice' section and access the 'Direct Routing' options for assigning and configuring the numbers. This process ensures your phone system is set up efficiently.
Direct Routing provides cost savings, scalability, and access to advanced call statistics, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring business continuity.