Lync developer resources – UPDATED 12/7/2010

Well, today finally arrived, the day we have all been waiting for. Lync and all its bits are now generally available on MSDN and MS downloads for all to get their hands on.
As the OCS developer site is still lagging a little I thought I would post the list of and a quick summary of the API set:

The API’s

Microsoft Unified Communications Managed API 3.0 Software Development Kit – This is the main deal, if you do any real Lync development you need this. The managed API is a significant improvement on the previous 2.0 release for OCS 2007 R2 with levels of abstraction and simplification for contact list management as well as supporting all the new Lync Server goodies such as conference lobby’s. I cant wait to get busy with this in the coming months.
Unified Communications Managed API 3.0 Runtime – Just the runtime to be installed as a pre-req to your UCMA 3.0 application.
Microsoft Lync Server 2010 SDK – For building MSPL scripts and managed sip filters that run inside the Lync server roles (front end or edge usually). Hasn’t changed a lot since OCS or even LCS
Microsoft Lync 2010 SDK [UPDATE – Released 12/1/2010]– The most talked about developer resource that lets you create your own Lync client or just embed bits of it into your own app with a quick drag and drop. Interestingly under the covers its really just a wrapper on the COM API. The COM API is not really documented or available in this version.
Lync Server 2010 Resource Kit Tools [UPDATE – Released 11/18/2010] – Has some useful tools for developers, especially if your doing anything voice related.

 

Important Development docs

Microsoft Office Protocol Documentation – Its not exactly the most stimulating read but if you need to know what’s going on under the covers, this is the place to go. It has got to qualify as the most technical detail you will find.
Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Protocol Workloads Poster – A neat visio poster of all the call flows for various scenarios.
Unified Communications Enhanced Presence Schemas for Microsoft Lync Server 2010 – Handy if your doing advance presence work.
UC "14" Developer Training Kit [UPDATE – Released 11/18/2010] – If you were not on the TAP and missed the metro training, this is essential viewing for you.

“The Bits” (Full versions are on MSDN subscriber downloads too)

Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Trial (registration required) – The 180 eval, fully functional server you can use to develop against.
Microsoft Lync 2010 Trial (32 Bit) / Microsoft Lync 2010 Trial (64 Bit) – The Lync Client itself.
Microsoft Lync 2010 Attendee - User Level Install / Microsoft Lync 2010 Attendee - Admin Level Install – Not to be confused with the Attendant - this is a trimmed down (free I assume, but I’m no licensing expert) version of the Lync client for attending conferences either anonymously or authenticated. Depending on your application, this could offer some interesting options.

Group Chat

Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Group Chat – You will need this if your doing GC development (you know who you are)
Microsoft Lync 2010 Group Chat – The GCC, I hope its better than it used to be…
Microsoft Lync Server 2010, Group Chat Admin Tool – Use this to manage rooms and users in GC
Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Group Chat SDK- Here for completeness, you know if you need it. I haven’t even looked at it yet.

Related Stuff

Exchange Web Services Managed API – Not strictly Lync, but so closely related, its here.
Outlook 2010: Auxiliary Reference – Also not strictly Lync, but also handy for building client applications.