Configuring Verba for RTP Proxy based recording

Owned by Kiss, Mate
May 24, 2022
6 min read

This article provides a detailed step by step guide on how to configure the Verba Recording System for RTP Proxy based recording in a Microsoft Lync environment.

Configuring RTP Proxy based recording is only necessary (and should only be done) if internal Lync calls need to be recorded. Using this method will result in calls (for recorded extensions) being rerouted through the Verba Proxy Server(s).
The proxy server is an active part of the call media path and it can introduce additional network latency and jitter, if it goes down for any reason, ongoing recorded calls will be terminated.
If recording the internal calls is not required, please configure Mediation Server server-based recording instead.

This guide does not cover:

Important note on terminology

The Verba Media Collector and Proxy Service can operate in two modes:

  • RTP Proxy mode: the service acts as an RTP Proxy and is inserted into the altered recorded call media path. The recorders connect to the service in order to capture the media streams there.
  • Remote capture / Media collector mode: used on Edge and/or Mediation servers to capture the call media streams on their normal (unaltered) route. The recorders connect to the service in order to capture the media streams there.

The same service is responsible for carrying out both of these tasks, based on location and configuration. This guide will reference a Verba Media Collector Proxy service operating in RTP Proxy Mode (either deployed on a Recording Server or on a separate machine) as a Proxy Server. 
A Verba Media Collector and Proxy operating in Remote Capture / Media collector mode (deployed on Edge and/or Mediation servers) will be referenced as a Media Collector.

Preparation

Before starting to configure Verba for Lync recording, every Verba server and component have to be installed. For more information about the required servers and components see Microsoft Skype for Business.

Firewall configuration

Refer to Firewall configuration for Skype for Business - Lync deployments for more information.

Stage One: Configure the Verba Media Collector and Proxy service for RTP Proxy based recording

Follow the steps below to configure the Verba Media Collector and Proxy service to operate in RTP Proxy mode.

Stages One and Three take place on the same server's configuration page if the Recorder and Proxy Servers are co-located.

Step 1 - In the Verba web interface go to System / Servers, select the Recording (or separate Proxy) Server and click on the Service Activation tab. 

Step 2 - Activate the Verba Media Collector and Proxy Service by clicking on the  icon.

Step 3 - Click on the Change Configuration Settings tab. Expand the Media Collector and Proxy section.

Step 4 - Under General / Recorder Connection, configure the authentication credentials for the connections with the recording service. Define the Authentication User and Authentication Passwords values. These credentials will be used later when configuring the connections in the recorder service.

Step 5 - In the General section set the Internal Domain, Numbers Pattern setting. This has to be a regex which matches to all internal line numbers and SIP domains.

Step 6 - In the Lync Connector section, set both Enabled and Act as RTP Proxy to Yes.

Step 7 - In RTP Proxy section set 'Enabled' to Yes.

Step 8 - Save the changes by clicking on the  icon.

Step 9 - A notification banner will appear on the top. Click on the click here link, so you will be redirected to the Configuration Tasks tab. Click on the Execute button in order to execute the changes.

Changes can be execute at once at the end. In that case don't forget to click on 'Check All'.

Step 10 - Click on the Service Control tab.

Step 11 - Start the Verba Media Collector and Proxy Service by clicking on the  icon.

Repeat these steps for each Proxy Server in your system.

For more information about the Verba Media Collector and Proxy Service see Verba Media Collector and Proxy Service Reference.

Stage Two: Configure the Verba Lync Filter for RTP Proxy based recording

Follow the steps below to configure the Verba Lync Filters located on the Lync Front End servers. The Verba Lync Filter is responsible for capturing and modifying the signaling messages to alter the media path to include the Proxy Server.

Step 1 - In the Verba web interface go to System / Servers, select the Front End server running the Verba Lync Filter and click on the Service Activation tab.

Step 2 - Activate the Verba SfB/Lync Call Filter Service by clicking on the  icon.

Step 3 - Click on the Change Configuration Settings tab. Expand the 'SfB/Lync Call Filter' section.

Step 4 - In the General section set the Internal Domain, Numbers Pattern setting. This have to be a regex which matches to all internal line numbers and SIP domains.

Step 5 - Set the Server Version to the version of the Lync Platform you are using.

Step 6 - Set the Relaying mode to Reroute/relay recorded calls through Verba Proxy server(s).

Step 7 - Under the Proxy Server Based Relay Settings section add your Proxy Servers by clicking on the  next to Verba Proxy Servers.

Step 8 - At the right panel select the Proxy Server from the drop down list at the Proxy Host. Click Save.

Step 9 - Repeat Steps 7-8 for every Proxy Server in your system.

Step 10 - Save the changes by clicking on the  icon.

Step 11 - A notification banner will appear on the top. Click on the click here link, so you will be redirected to the Configuration Tasks tab. Click on the Execute button in order to execute the changes.

Step 12 - Click on the Service Control tab.

Step 13 - Start the Verba SfB/Lync Call Filter Service by clicking on the  icon.

Repeat these steps for every Lync Front End / Filter in your system.

Stage Three: Configure the Verba Passive Recorder service for RTP Proxy based recording

Follow the steps below to configure the Verba Passive Recorder service for RTP Proxy based recording:

Stages One and Three take place on the same server's configuration page if the Recorder and Proxy Servers are co-located.

Step 1 - In the Verba web interface go to System / Servers, select the Recording Server and click on the Service Activation tab. 

Step 2 - Activate the Verba Passive Recorder Service by clicking on the  icon.

Step 3 - Click on the Change Configuration Settings tab. Expand the Passive Recorder section.

Step 4 - Under Basics add your Proxy Servers and Media Collectors by clicking on the  next to Media Collector and Proxies. 

Step 5 - At the right panel select the Proxy Server from the drop down list at the Host. Provide the username and password configured in the Verba Media Collector and Proxy Service above for the connections. If there are multiple proxy servers, then set the Recorder Weight to 1 so there will be load-balancing. Click Save.

Step 6 - Repeat Steps 4-5 for every Proxy Server in your system.

Step 7 - Set the Internal Domain, Numbers Pattern setting. This has to be a regex which matches to all internal line numbers and SIP domains.

Step 8 - Save the changes by clicking on the  icon.

Step 9 - A notification banner will appear on the top. Click on the click here link, so you will be redirected to the Configuration Tasks tab. Click on the Execute button in order to execute the changes.

Step 10 - Click on the Service Control tab.

Step 11 - Start the Verba Passive Recorder Service by clicking on the  icon.

Repeat these steps for each Recorder Server in your system.

Final Stage: Configure extensions

After finalizing the configuration of the recording services, make sure you have added the extensions you want to record to the Verba extension list. This can be done manually (Extension list) or using Active Directory Synchronization.