Device Review: Jabra UC Motion and Speak 510 MS

In my previous post I talked about the new offerings from Plantronics. Well it wasn't long before Jabra sent me their latest and greatest with the UC Motion and Speak 510. Between the two different offerings from each vendor there are some differences and depending on what you want I am sure there is a solution available for what you need. I am not going to compare the sets of devices from the different vendors here. I really like products from both vendors and they have both come a long way in the last couple of years with some great offerings.

Jabra UC Motion

Jabra’s new Bluetooth headset has a lot going for it. It really is packaged great and although the travel case is a bit bulky in your pocket it is sturdy and will protect your investment. In my book a sturdy case is a good thing because my laptop bag gets thrown around while traveling. I also think that the case is a good size to add more features to in the future like a battery backup charge. What impresses me even more though is how they put the inside of the case together to be a complete place to store everything and also act as a stand.

 

The ear piece is well put together. I have found it pretty comfortable and the fact that closing the boom turns the device off is smart. The only thing I have issue with is the volume slider. Its kind of odd and although it works just fine I do find it a little difficult to adjust the volume with at times. The dongle for plugging into the PC is, well a dongle:) I do like the LED indicators to show your on a call and its probably one of the smallest I have seen.

I like this device a lot and have used it with Lync and my cell phone and both have worked great. I believe this is their best headset yet across all headset classes and competes well with Plantronics similar offerings. Nice job Jabra.

Jabra Speak 510 MS

I do and always have had a preference for the Jabra Speak 410. The Speak 410 was a great device and I think what Jabra did to improve on this device was smart and appropriate. The Speak 510 MS adds a nice Bluetooth capability but still kept the ability to use the USB cable connection as a way to utilize the device and not just as a charging port. Good choice in my opinion.

The 510 is going to be the device to beat in this category. For a small compact speaker phone I have used it in meeting rooms that can seat 16 people successfully. Although microphone extensions would be handy, its such a great device that in most circumstances they really are not required.

I have used the Bluetooth option paired to my cell phone and with Lync on an iPad and both worked flawlessly. It really is a leading class device that keeps getting better. This is one device that I cant say anything negative about. I carry one with me everywhere I go.

Overall Jabra has done a great job on these devices and in my opinion their build quality and comfort for the wireless headset has improved considerably over previous offerings. I am looking forward to what they can do to keep improving these already impressive products.

VoIPNorm

Frustrated by Jolly Roger 1

I was checking out the latest iteration of the Jabber iPad app and this was the first review that came up. Interesting read. I promise everyone I did not write this and I have no idea who the author is.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cisco-jabber-for-ipad/id540243083?mt=8

------------------------------Customer Reviews------------------------------------------------

FRUSTRATED!

by Jolly Roger 1

I spent about 3 to 4 hours of my precious weekend time trying to figure out this product, as well as other Cisco products.

I have the WebEx Meeting account for up to 3 people. My online WebEx account indicates what my "Jabber ID" is. In Jabber for iPad, I input my Jabber ID...didn't work. Then I put in my email...didn't work. I was brought to a screen to select my product. I selected WebEx Meeting. Then it asked for my email again. This time it worked.

This is where things got much worse. I discovered that there appear to be MULTIPLE accounts and/or apps that interact with each other, instead of a simple "one app fits all." Jabber appears to be simply a portal. For instant messaging, you need another account. I guess I'm using Web Ex Meeting for this. Then, you need to have a THIRD Cisco product/account for audio and video (see more below). Then, for meetings, you need to use a FOURTH app...I'm using WebEx Meetings. What a nightmare!!

So, then, the app asked me for the account I use for video and audio. I thought it was my WebEx Meeting account since that has video...didn't work. You can then click "Jabber for Telepresence" and it asks for a user name and password to create this account...doesn't work. I just get an error message that the user name or password is invalid or that the account has been deactivated.
Then I spent hours trying to figure out what "audio and video" product by Cisco will work. The "help" file was no help at all. There were multiple products by Cisco on the website, many replaced by other ones, to make it even more confusing (as if that wasn't enough). Trying to find out HOW to get these products was equally as confusing and frustrating.

I THINK I may have found a way to obtain Jabber for Telepresence, which I THINK might work. I just didn't have any more time or wits to open up another dang account and spend more time on something that MAY work.

WHY HAVE ALL THESE ACCOUNTS NECESSARY???!!! It should be easy enough to simply create something akin to a Skype account...maybe call it "Jabber by Cisco." And have ONE email (user name) and password for BOTH instant messaging AND audio and video!! And, if you are using a desktop device, like a Mac or PC, that same user name and password should be used there as well.
Either I'm missing something, or Cisco needs to wipe the slate clean and create ONE app that does everything where you need only ONE account. I believe Cisco also needs to make the navigation of their website MUCH easier, in addition to being able to easily acquire a product of interest. Just terrible!

Additionally, adding contacts is broken. I had a contact I was trying to add, and I sent him an invitation through the app. This contact did the same for me. Prior to installing Jabber, I had added this person as a contact on WebEx Meeting in my account while using a PC. Jabber created two entries for this person and when my contact installed Jabber on his iPad, the entry of him using my PC showed him as "available" and online. The contact entries on both our ends that were created from within the Jabber app showed "waiting for confirmation." But, we never received any request, in the app, by email, etc.! With the entry created by the PC, we were able to instant message each other. When I clicked "call," it rang on his end, but the app did nothing when he tried to answer. He couldn't call me at all.

There is also a way to create customized statuses, such as "out to lunch," "be right back," etc. Great. I like that. But, when you do this within Jabber you can't select the color. For example, when I created "Be Right Back," I feel it should be yellow. Jabber automatically made it green. However, in my WebEx Meeting account accessed by my PC, I could select the color (either green, yellow or red).
It's a shame. The interface of Jabber looked promising, but there are more bugs and issues in this app (and in Cisco) that make using it impractical if not impossible. Time to go back to the drawing board, in my opinion!

--------------------------End of comment ----------------------------------------------------------

For those that want to check out Lync 2013 for iPad:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-lync-2013-for-ipad/id605608899?mt=8

VoIPNorm

Device Review: Plantronics Voyager Legend UC, C710 & C720

I am not sure what's going on at Plantronics these days but they have some serious product development going on right now with some great new offerings. As every regular reader knows by now I am by definition a device junky. You name it, at one point or another I have listened to it or put it in or on my ears from every device manufacture. Some devices I liked and blogged about and others, well they collect dust on my shelf under the never to be talked about.

What's in my laptop bag(s)?

Recently Plantronics have sent me some of their new releases that have impressed me. The Voyager Legend UC, C710 and 720 have some neat new features. I have basically built my self 3 laptop bags that I rotate though, each with different devices so I can sample them all. I also vary the computing devices as well with my laptop bags. It looks something like this:

Bag 1 - The meeting/travel bag- Used mainly when traveling or doing meeting work and I don’t need to demo much. I don’t have  VGA converter for my Samsung device but I probably should as it would make my life a lot easier.

Computing device – Samsung Series 7 tablet – Windows 8

USB devices – Voyager Pro, Jabra Speak 510

Bag 2 – Serious computing bag – I can run a complete environment to demo Lync 2013 from this bag. I also use this bag when I am required to demo the desktop client mainly because of my previously mentioned lack of a VGA converter for my Tablet devices. I should get clever and remote into my home lab but there is nothing like the security of taking your lab with you on the road sometimes.

Computing device – HP Elitebook (I call it the beast because it has 32gb of RAM, 8 core CPU and weighs 7 pounds)  – Windows 8 64bit

USB devices –C710 or 720, Jabra Speak 510

Bag 3 – The demo bag – This more a secondary bag that I use when I can’t fit everything in another bag. Usually when I need to demo a bunch of different devices. As you have guessed by now I do a lot of demo’s.

Computing devices – Surface RT/iPad V2 – Windows 8 RT and iOS

USB device – C435,C620, Jabra Speak 510

I am constantly switching out devices and changing things up. So if you ever wondered how I manage to test different devices that’s how I do it. I build complete laptop bags and just take the one I need for the day or possibly two depending on what I am demoing. I am in the process of building an Apple bag with a full MAC and iPad setup to demo Lync’s cross platform capability but that’s a work in progress, mainly because I have no bag for it. I also have my home setup which varies quite a bit depending on what I have available to test. Right now the BCC950 from Logitech has been my main stay device at home but I just added a new Logitech 910 webcam and the Plantronics C720. I also have one of the new Logitech headsets which I am looking forward to trying out.

C710 and C720

Obviously the C710 and C720 are similar. The only difference is one is single ear and one is dual ear but I have been testing both to see if there is any difference in comfort, which there isn’t.

Cool things to note are:

• Bluetooth capable – You can pair a Bluetooth capable Smartphone with the headset
• Smart Sensor Technology – Automatically answers the call when you pick up the headset
• Carry Case – not quite a hard case but not a soft case either. Takes up a little room in your laptop bag but does a great job of protecting your investment.

Like other USB Lync certified devices it functions as you would expect with device enablement in Lync 2013. The Plantronics Spokes Software will add more functionality but its not a requirement to use this device.

Of course most importantly what does it look like while wearing. See below, I am wearing the dual eared version pictured:

                      

Okay, so I wont be gracing the pages of Vanity Fair any time soon but you get the idea.

I really like this device, it does a good job of blocking out background noise and is super comfortable. I also like the Bluetooth option. Seem like this really has become a standard option on the more feature rich devices. Music sound quality is great and while its not going to compete with purpose built music headsets it still does a good job. The build quality is also very high on this device but at $149 retail I would expect so. Overall it’s a solid device with great sound and build quality.

Plantronics Voyager Legend UC

When I first got this device I was a little set back by the case. I wasn’t really sure what to make of it and being as I am not a big smartphone headset guy, even though people try to convince me to be otherwise, I didn’t really use this device much. That was until I was stuck one day and this happened to be the only headset in my laptop bag. So I grabbed it and plugged it into my Samsung Win 8 Tablet. It worked great and I was super impressed with the quality.

So much like other headsets on the market in this price range it supports pairing with PC and smartphone but with the Plantronics Spokes software you can add  functionality. As an example showing your presence as on a call when on a cell phone in Lync. It also has voice commands and a bunch of other features that really I don’t use but they have them if that’s your thing. I just wanted to focus on things that caught my eye.

There are two areas that I thought were unique to this device and showed that Plantronics is really thinking about design. First is the case. The case will charge your device as well as give a visual indicator of how much charge is left on your device. Super smart. I am constantly forgetting to charge gadgets and the first time I needed this device I actually hadn't charged it in weeks and it had been just sitting in my laptop bag. I pulled it out and it worked without a hitch. I can’t say the same for some other devices I have had that I have forgotten to charge (Cisco Flip I am talking about you). See below to see the case. I have highlighted the charge indicators.

The second thing I really like was the physical on and off button. Doesn’t sound very fancy but I hate those devices with soft buttons that you need to press two buttons to turn it on and off. This one I can see and its done I don’t need to worry about draining the battery.

All up this is a great device that I really liked. If you find your self constantly forgetting to charge you headset this might be the device for you. It retails around the $199 price so for what you get its not a bad deal even at full retail.

Logitech, Jabra and Plantronics keep exceeding my expectations around devices. All three companies are doing exceptional work and its great to see them going head to head as it keeps the innovation in this area alive and well. I also appreciate the support that each of these companies have shown me over the years with making sure I have the latest and greatest to show and test.

VoIPNorm

Lync Server 2013 Multiple Direct SIP Trunks to CUCM and the Alternate Media IP Setting

Lync 2013 has changed this configuration quite a bit but in a good way. My original post on this subject can be found here. While this method of configuration will still work just fine there are better ways to complete this configuration with Lync Server 2013 but not all of it is as straight forward as looking at the topology builder. As we step through the process you will notice that some settings will require PowerShell. Even though the configuration at first isn't straight forward, it is in essence simpler to manage.

I have also expanded this post to include the configuration required to add remote alternate media IP to a remote site trunk within Lync Server 2013. I thought this was an important configuration to highlight as it is a little bit hidden. Setting the alternate Media IP in Lync Server 2013 requires the use of PowerShell which is new for 2013. For those not familiar with what this is here is a quick overview.

Alternate Media setting in Lync and CUCM MTP relationship

For those new to CUCM and Lync interop here is a post I wrote way back that talks a little about the use of MTP’s with OCS. Little has really changed in relationship as to why you need them and in reality all VoIP vendors have a Media Termination Points of some description in their environment their just called something a little different. As it relates to Lync, Lync has no awareness of MTP’s location or IP address of another system. So for CUCM that has defined a SIP trunk and a set of MTP’s that can be either as software on the CUCM or on a router, Lync has no knowledge of this. Hence the alternate media IP setting under the Lync gateway configuration.

Out of the box Lync assumes that the media and signaling path for a SIP trunk are one and the same just like a gateway. If you have not located the MTP on CUCM Lync has no knowledge of this and by setting the alternate media IP setting in Lync, Lync can effectively ensure that media bypass will work in the correct manner because as we know CAC and media bypass are determined through sites and subnets.

Okay, now we are done with the basics lets move on.

Reasons for Multiple SIP trunks to the same CUCM cluster/Subscriber

There are a couple of reasons to have multiple SIP trunks between Lync to the same CUCM subscriber or cluster. These are:

1. Remote site MTP control. For a remote site that has its own MTP resources keeping traffic local to avoid hair pinning and sending unnecessary traffic over WAN links. By creating a separate SIP trunk for a site you can control the alternate media IP for media bypass. This means that using a remote MTP doesn’t require any local Lync resources at that site. So no Mediation Server or SBA required at a remote site.
2. Calling Search space control on the CUCM side. Each trunk can have its own CSS so adding the ability of call authorization from the CUCM platform even though calls are coming from Lync.
3. Redundant SIP trunks with dedicated MTP resources.

Previously in Lync Server 2010 the main hurdle with configuring multiple SIP trunks to the same gateway or in this case CUCM cluster is the ability to create multiple gateways with the same IP address in the Topology Builder. The work around to this issue was to use DNS  records that resolve to the same IP address. This was a pain if you had lots of remote sites. Imagine managing 150 DNS records all pointing to the same object. Pretty easy to mess up. Well this has improved with Lync Server 2013 and is no longer a requirement.

In my example scenario I have three SIP trunks to my CUCM cluster but my focus will be on RemoteSiteX which is my new Branch site.There are four steps involved in setting up my new site and establishing the remote media termination points to allow media bypass to stay local in Lync. The Cisco UCM configuration really has not changed and so I wont be discussing it in this post. Just know for the remote site you will need to configure its own MTP with a Media Resource Group and List that needs to be applied to the remote site SIP trunk in CUCM.

Step 1 – Define the Trunk in Topology Builder

You will notice I have three trunks defined but only one gateway. This new setting for Lync Server 2013 makes configuration a lot easier to manage. While it still means you need to create multiple trunk objects you no longer need to create new DNS records for every new trunk. You may have noticed I have specified a different Port for the trunk. This is still a requirement and if you refer to my diagram it shows the same DNS record being used with different ports.

Step 2 – Configure the Trunk for Media Bypass in Lync

Now we can setup the trunk inside the Admin UI and enable media bypass. Pretty straight forward not that much has changed here. Take note: Centralized media processing is selected to enable media bypass even though we plan to use an alternate media IP. I have made the mistake of thinking this is not a requirement but it is.

Step 3 – Identify the Trunk ID in PowerShell

This is where we start to add some new configuration. First step is to identify the trunk ID in PowerShell. You’ll notice I said trunk but the ID shows up as a PSTNGateway. Don’t be deceived. Lync builds a gateway object for the trunk because in essence the trunk is performing the functions of a gateway and under the hood it remains a PSTNGateway object. See PS command below:

get-cstrunk : FT Identity

Step 4 – Configure Media IP address for new Trunk

Lastly we need to set the alternate media ID which is the remote MTP defined in CUCM. If you are setting the Alternate Media ID this should be done for all trunks defined under the gateway you are configuring.

Set-CSPSTNGateway –Identity PSTNGateway:RemoteSiteX –RepresntitiiveMediaIP “192.168.0.13”

If you have multiple MTP’s for the site, you only need to define one and Lync will work out the rest through sites and subnet to ensure media bypass will function correctly.

Verification

Once its all said and done you may want to verify your changes.

get-CSTrunk | FT Identity, RepresentativeMediaIP

Hopefully this change in 2013 will make life a little easier for some of you out there.

VoIPNorm