Installing the Client

Although the Microsoft Communicator client for Macintosh integrates into the Office 2011 suite, it is actually a separate install. Given that most clients want to integrate the functions, we’re starting with the steps for installing Office 2011 itself and then the Communicator client. To install Office 2011, perform the following steps:

1. Download the Lync:Mac 2011 installer. This is likely in the form of a .DMG file.

2. Double-click the .DMG file.

3. Double-click the Lync Installer icon, shown in Figure 23.1.

Figure 23.1. Running the Lync Installer.

4. The installer offers to guide you through the install. Click Continue.

5. Read the licensing agreement and click Continue.

6. Click Agree to accept the license agreement.

7. The installer tells you which hard drive will be used for the installation. Click Change Install Location if you want to change installation locations, or click Install to accept the recommended location.

8. When prompted, enter your password to authorize the installation. Click OK.

9. The installation prepares and a scrolling candy cane appears. Packages are validated and the installation commences.

10. When the installation completes successfully, click Close.

There is now a big blue L icon in the Chooser, as shown in Figure 23.2. Click it to launch Lync:Mac.

Figure 23.2. Lync:Mac loaded in the Chooser menu.

When the Microsoft Lync:Mac client launches, you are asked to again accept the license agreement. Click Accept. Lync:Mac offers to make itself the default application for the following functions:

• Presence

• Telephone calls

• Conferences

For each offer, check the box marked Do Not Show This Message Again, and click Use Lync.

The Lync:Mac client loads and prompts the user for an email address and provides an option for the user to sign in as a certain status, as shown in Figure 23.3.

Figure 23.3. Lync:Mac login screen.

After the user is signed in, the client populates with any contacts added to the list and any user-created groups, as shown in Figure 23.4.

Figure 23.4. Lync:Mac contact list.

If the necessary SRV records are not present, the Lync:Mac client has options to manually configure the connection; however, using the correct SRV records is the preferred method and it makes the sign-in process more transparent to the end user. This process is covered in detail in Chapter 11, “Dependent Services and SQL,” of this book.