Summary of the Browser Client Architecture and Components

In Lync Server 2013 the browser-based capabilities have received a major overhaul. With the major change in functionality, a new architecture was introduced. At the core of the new architecture is the Unified Communications Web API. This API enables web-based clients to communicate over open standards and perform full Lync functionality. The UCWA service acts as a communication proxy between web-based clients and the other Lync services. UCWA is also at the core of mobility scenarios, and is an API that can be developed on to enhance Lync functionality even further.

After the Lync Web App client has connected to the UCWA service for signaling, it acts much like any other Lync client for collaboration scenarios. The Lync Web App client communicates over HTTPS to receive collaboration content such as PowerPoint presentations and whiteboards, while the ActiveX plugin enables the client to communicate with the media conferencing services over secure RTP.