Creating Network Regions

A network region in Lync Server 2013 is generally a large area that encompasses a number of network sites. These are the hubs or backbones of the network. Each region is associated with a central site where a Lync Server 2013 Front End pool exists.

A primary driver for creating multiple network regions is to have multiple Policy Decision Points (PDPs) so that the failure of a central site in one region does not impact the capability of a central site in another region to enforce Call Admission Control locally.

Follow these steps to create a new network region:

1. Open the Lync Server 2013 Control Panel.

2. Click Network Configuration.

3. Click Region.

4. Click the New button.

5. Enter a Name for the region.

6. Select a Central Site for the region. This is a site in the topology containing Lync Servers.

7. Select Enable Audio Alternate Path if this region allows audio traffic to use alternative routes. This must be selected for calls to Internet users to succeed.

8. Select Enable Video Alternate Path if this region allows video traffic to use alternative routes. This must be selected for calls to Internet users to succeed.

9. Click Commit. Network sites can be associated later.

Alternatively, a new network region can be created with the Lync Server Management Shell through the New-CsNetworkRegion cmdlet.