Configure federation with external domains

Topic Last Modified: 2012-10-24

You can control the ability of Lync Online users to communicate with other organizations that use Lync by configuring domain federation. Federation options are as follows:

• Federate only with domains you specify
  
• Federate with all domains except for ones you block
  
• Disable domain federation
  

1. In the Lync Online Control Panel, click External communications.

2. Under Other organizations that use Lync, review the current setting for Domain federation mode.

3. To change the current setting, click Edit, choose from one of the following options, and then click OK:

   1. Turn on external communications with all except blocked domains
      
   2. Turn off external communications with all except allowed domains
      
   3. Turn off domain federation
      

4. To add an allowed or blocked domain, click Add domain, type the domain name, and then click OK.

   Note:
   The status of the domain—allowed or blocked—is determined by the current Domain federation mode setting.

5. To remove a domain from the list, check the box next to the domain name, click Remove domain, and then click Yes.

Note:

The organization you’re federating with must also set up federation with your domain. Communication between Lync users in the federated domains is limited to Lync features supported by both organizations. So (for example) if you support video conversations but the federated domain does not, your users will not be able to start video conversations with federated contacts. You must enable domain federation if you plan to support communication with contacts who use the Skype public IM service provider. For details, see Configure Public IM Connectivity.