Lync Topology Validator

I wish that the Lync Resource Kit tools were part of the core Lync install, but it is not.  You can download it HERE. There is a great tool part of the resource kit called Topology Validator.  This tool uses synthetic transactions and combines a multitude of testing cmdlets into a single tool that can test the health of the following:

• Service installation check
• Register
• Peer to peer IM
• Group IM
• Presence
• Peer to peer A/V
• A/V conference
• Peer to peer PSTN call
• PSTN outbound call
• Address book
• Location policy
• Location information service configuration
• Dial-in conferencing
• Address book web query
• Client authentication
• Federation
• Phone bootstrap

To run the Topology Validator, first install the Lync Resource Kit tools downloaded above on your Lync server.  The Topology Validator is a command-line only tool and can be run by launching command prompt and running:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Lync Server 2010\Reskit\TopologyValidator\> TopologyValidator.exe

You can also run TopologyValidator.exe /? to see other options.

When the tool starts, it will ask what FQDN to test against.  I will choose my Front-End pool: pool.twhlab.com

The tool will then ask for sip addresses and credentials of two users.  If you have outbound PSTN connectivity, you can also enter that information:

After all information is entered, all test will be run and reported on the screen.  You can easily see what tests passed and failed.

The Topology Validator also stores all output files and an HTML report in the \%temp%\TopologyValidator folder:

Opening the HTML report gives all results and details behind each test:

 

You can expand each test, see the commands used and also the logs of the test run. 

This is a great troubleshooting and validation tool to use in your environment. I highly encourage it!