New Desktop Sharing Feature (2007 R2 Beta)
[This is preliminary documentation and is subject to change. Blank topics are included as placeholders.]
Desktop sharing enables users to transmit a view of their desktop to others. Office Communications Server 2007 R2 introduces a Web-based client to enable users to initiate desktop sharing during any Web conference that is hosted by the server. The desktop sharing client is based on and integrated with the 2007 R2 release of the Microsoft® Office Communicator Web Access client.
Desktop Sharing Requirements
The new desktop sharing client can be initiated by using the 2007 R2 version of Communicator Web Access client, Office Communicator 2007 R2, Office Live Meeting 2007 R2 (in meetings hosted by Office Communications Server instead of the Live Meeting service), and Microsoft Office SharedView. A desktop sharing session can also be initiated by using a Web browser to navigate to the desktop sharing Web site hosted by Communicator Web Access server. Desktop sharing requires installation of the Microsoft Office Communicator Web Access Plug-in.
Users running a supported client on a computer running the Windows® operating system can initiate sharing, view, or take control of programs during a desktop sharing session. Users participating in a desktop sharing session using an Apple Macintosh or a computer running the Linux operating system can view or take control of a program, but cannot initiate sharing. For details about desktop sharing capabilities for various client Web browsers and operating systems, see Communicator Web Access Client Requirements.
Desktop Sharing Features
By using a supported client, users can initiate a desktop sharing session and invite other users, including users that are not enabled for unified communications. Communicator Web Access and Office Communicator users can start desktop sharing during an existing instant messaging conversation or audio/video conference. Communicator Web Access automatically generates a meeting URL for new participants at the time the desktop sharing session is initiated. Members of a distribution group can be added to a desktop sharing session. Users outside the organization’s network can also join a desktop sharing session if Communicator Web Access is configured for external access.
At any time, the user currently hosting a session can give control to other participants (depending on the Office Communications Server meeting policy), deny control, retake control, or stop the session. While in a desktop sharing session, all users can send instant messages to other participants.
Audio Conferencing
Audio conferencing can be added to a desktop sharing session by anyone in the session if the Office Communications Server 2007 R2 environment has been configured with an Audio/Video Conferencing Server and if the environment supports calls to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). When audio is added, Communicator Web Access initiates a call to the user’s telephone, and then it calls the telephone numbers of other users in the session to add users to the audio conference. Conference Attendant Console users can participate in the audio conference portion of a desktop sharing session.
See Also
Other Resources
Application Sharing Conferencing Server
Application-Sharing Framework