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UC at Illinois E911 Use Cases

This page provides information on E911 with UC Voice software client, Microsoft Lync.

Info icon E911 Service is now available with UC Voice

Events such as network or power outages may prevent UC Voice from working. In these situations, users should use a cell phone, landline phone, or campus e-phone.

E911 Use Cases Key

This combination supports E911 location information. Yes, this device and connection method will support E911 location information.
This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. With this device and connection method, 911 calls will be routed, but most likely without location information.
This combination is not supported by E911.No, this device and connection method will not support E911.
This combination is not applicable with Lync. This combination of device and connection method are not applicable.

E911 Use Cases Matrix

Below is a matrix of the E911 Use Cases; the rows are broken down by how the UC Voice software component is being used, while the columns are broken down by connection. For more details on these use cases, please see the E911 Use Cases Outlined section. For instant access to more information on a particular instance in relation to how it works with E911, click on the row's header found on the far left side.

  Campus Wired Campus Wireless Off Campus Not on VPN Off Campus on VPN Campus Cat 3 Connection
IP Phone This combination supports E911 location information. This combination is not applicable with Lync. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911.
IP Phone (USB) This combination supports E911 location information. This combination is not applicable with Lync. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911.
Windows This combination supports E911 location information. This combination supports E911 location information. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911.
Mac This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911.
Other OS This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911.
Smartphones This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911.
Thin Clients This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911.
Remote Desktop This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911.
Remote Connection This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911. This combination is not supported by E911.

E911 Use Cases Outlined

Standalone IP Phone

  • This combination supports E911 location information. Campus wired: Location information is provided when 911 calls are made.
  • This combination is not applicable with Lync. Campus wireless: Only wired standalone IP phones are currently supported.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. On campus still using Cat 3 connections: Location information is not available for users on Cat 3 connections. All 911 calls will be directed to the Emergency Call Response Center.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. Off campus not on VPN: If location information is not available, 911 calls will be directed to the national ECRC (Emergency Call Response Center). Trained emergency operators at the ECRC will ask you for your location and will then forward your call to the geographically appropriate 911 dispatch center.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. Off campus on VPN: If location information is not available, 911 calls will be directed to the national ECRC (Emergency Call Response Center). Trained emergency operators at the ECRC will ask you for your location and will then forward your call to the geographically appropriate 911 dispatch center.

USB-Tethered IP Phone

  • This combination supports E911 location information. Campus wired: Location information is provided when 911 calls are made.
  • This combination is not applicable with Lync. Campus wireless: Only wired USB-tethered IP phones are currently supported.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. On campus still using Cat 3 connections: Location information is not available for users on Cat 3 connections. All 911 calls will be directed to the Emergency Call Response Center.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. Off campus not on VPN: If location information is not available, 911 calls will be directed to the national ECRC (Emergency Call Response Center). Trained emergency operators at the ECRC will ask you for your location and will then forward your call to the geographically appropriate 911 dispatch center.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. Off campus on VPN: If location information is not available, 911 calls will be directed to the national ECRC (Emergency Call Response Center). Trained emergency operators at the ECRC will ask you for your location and will then forward your call to the geographically appropriate 911 dispatch center.

Lync Client for Windows

  • This combination supports E911 location information. Campus wired: Location information is provided when 911 calls are made.
  • This combination supports E911 location information. Campus wireless: Location information is provided, though it may not be your current location if you have recently moved to a different location. The information could be as old as four hours because this is how often Microsoft Lync updates its location information. Additionally, the location information that is provided while connected to the campus wireless network will only include the building and floor of the wireless access point that you used to connect.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. On campus still using Cat 3 connections: Location information is not available for users on Cat 3 connections. All 911 calls will be directed to the Emergency Call Response Center.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. Off campus not on VPN: If location information is not available, 911 calls will be directed to the national ECRC (Emergency Call Response Center). Trained emergency operators at the ECRC will ask you for your location and will then forward your call to the geographically appropriate 911 dispatch center.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. Off campus on VPN: If location information is not available, 911 calls will be directed to the national ECRC (Emergency Call Response Center). Trained emergency operators at the ECRC will ask you for your location and will then forward your call to the geographically appropriate 911 dispatch center.

Lync Client for Mac

  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. Campus wired: The Microsoft Lync client for Mac does not currently support location information for 911 calls. Any calls made from an Apple operating system will be directed to the national ECRC (emergency call response center). Trained emergency operators at the ECRC will ask you for your location and will then forward your call to the geographically appropriate 911 dispatch center.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. Campus wireless: The Microsoft Lync client for Mac does not currently support location information for 911 calls. Any calls made from an Apple operating system will be directed to the national ECRC (emergency call response center). Trained emergency operators at the ECRC will ask you for your location and will then forward your call to the geographically appropriate 911 dispatch center.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. On campus still using Cat 3 connections: Location information is not available for users on Cat 3 connections. All 911 calls will be directed to the Emergency Call Response Center.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. Off campus not on VPN: The Microsoft Lync client for Mac does not currently support location information for 911 calls. Any calls made from an Apple operating system will be directed to the national ECRC (Emergency Call Response Center). Trained emergency operators at the ECRC will ask you for your location and will then forward your call to the geographically appropriate 911 dispatch center.
  • This combination will most likely not include location information when using E911. Off campus on VPN: The Microsoft Lync client for Mac does not currently support location information for 911 calls. Any calls made from an Apple operating system will be directed to the national ECRC (Emergency Call Response Center). Trained emergency operators at the ECRC will ask you for your location and will then forward your call to the geographically appropriate 911 dispatch center.

Other Operating Systems

  • This combination is not supported by E911.Campus wired: Microsoft Lync is only available for Windows and Apple operating systems.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Campus wireless: Microsoft Lync is only available for Windows and Apple operating systems.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.On campus still using Cat 3 connections: Microsoft Lync is only available for Windows and Apple operating systems.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Off campus not on VPN: Microsoft Lync is only available for Windows and Apple operating systems.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Off campus on VPN: Microsoft Lync is only available for Windows and Apple operating systems.

Smartphones

  • This combination is not supported by E911.Campus wired: While Microsoft Lync clients are available for Windows, Android, and iOS Smartphones, these clients are not currently supported as part of UC at Illinois.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Campus wireless: While Microsoft Lync clients are available for Windows, Android, and iOS Smartphones, these clients are not currently supported as part of UC at Illinois.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.On campus still using Cat 3 connections: While Microsoft Lync clients are available for Windows, Android, and iOS Smartphones, these clients are not currently supported as part of UC at Illinois.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Off campus not on VPN: While Microsoft Lync clients are available for Windows, Android, and iOS Smartphones, these clients are not currently supported as part of UC at Illinois.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Off campus on VPN: While Microsoft Lync clients are available for Windows, Android, and iOS Smartphones, these clients are not currently supported as part of UC at Illinois.

Thin Client (any)

  • This combination is not supported by E911.Campus wired: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported on any Thin Client.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Campus wireless: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported on any Thin Client.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.On campus still using Cat 3 connections: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported on any Thin Client.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Off campus not on VPN: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported on any Thin Client.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Off campus on VPN: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported on any Thin Client.

Remote Desktop

  • This combination is not supported by E911.Campus wired: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported in a Remote Desktop environment.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Campus wireless: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported in a Remote Desktop environment.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.On campus still using Cat 3 connections: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported in a Remote Desktop environment.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Off campus not on VPN: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported in a Remote Desktop environment.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Off campus on VPN: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported in a Remote Desktop environment.

Other Remote Connections

  • This combination is not supported by E911.Campus wired: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported in other remote connection environments.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Campus wireless: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported in other remote connection environments.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.On campus still using Cat 3 connections: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported in other remote connection environments.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Off campus not on VPN: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported in other remote connection environments.
  • This combination is not supported by E911.Off campus on VPN: Microsoft Lync is not currently supported in other remote connection environments.

Glossary of Terms

  • Campus wired network: Any Cat 5 or higher network connection in a building that is on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
  • Campus wireless network: Any wireless connection (e.g. IllinoisNet, eduroam, QuickConnect, UIUCNet) provided by CITES on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
  • On campus still using Cat 3 connections: Some jacks have not been upgraded to Campus wired network standards. These jacks are generally in older dormitories and University-owned houses. Location information for these jacks is not currently stored in Pinnacle, the CITES billing software. Any calls to 911 on the Cat 3 network will be directed to the ECRC.
  • Off campus not on VPN: Any internet connection that does not include the campus wired or wireless networks (e.g. Home internet, public WiFi, 3G/4G cellular connections).
  • Off campus on VPN: Any internet connection that does not include the campus wired or wireless networks (e.g. Home internet, public WiFi, 3G/4G cellular connections) and through which a VPN connection to the campus network is established.
  • Hard Phone: An IP phone is a hardware-based phone for making telephone calls over the Internet. IP phones need to be plugged into a network / data jack instead of the traditional voice jack.
  • Softphone: A softphone is a software program (Microsoft Lync in our case) for making telephone calls over the Internet using a general purpose computer, rather than using dedicated hardware, such as an IP phone. A softphone is usually used with a computer audio accessory such as a headset connected to the sound card of the computer, or with a USB phone.
  • Computer Audio Accessory: Computer audio accessory is a device that plugs into your computer to carry audio, usually in both directions (speaker and microphone). Examples are headsets that connect to the sound card or USB port of the computer, USB phones. These accessories are meant to be used in conjunction with the softphone and not alone.
  • Standalone IP Phone: A hard phone that does not integrate with a computer. These devices must be plugged in to a network (data) jack.
  • USB-tethered IP Phone: A hard phone that is integrated with the Lync Client running on a computer. The device must be connected to a computer via a USB connection in order to provide full integration. These devices also must be plugged in to a network (data) jack.
  • Lync Client for Windows: Microsoft Lync is the softphone that is used with UC at Illinois. The Windows version of Lync is fully integrated with the UC E911 system. The computer on which Lync is running must have a network connection (wired, wireless; on campus, off campus) and the user must be logged in to Lync in order to make calls. Many users integrate computer audio accessories to enhance the audio and/or video experience of the softphone.
  • Lync Client for Mac: Microsoft Lync is the softphone that is used with UC at Illinois. The Mac version of Lync is fully integrated with the UC E911 system. The computer on which Lync is running must have a network connection (wired, wireless; on campus, off campus) and the user must be logged in to Lync in order to make calls. Many users integrate computer audio accessories to enhance the audio and/or video experience of the softphone.
  • Other Operating Systems: No other operating systems are being supported at this time. For other operating systems (i.e. Linux), a hard phone is the recommended deployment solution.
  • Smartphones: Microsoft has released Lync clients for Windows, Android, and iOS Smartphones. However, these clients are not supported as part the UC at Illinois service. Support for these clients is expected, but no timeline exists for deployment.
  • Thin Client: A computer or a computer program which depends heavily on another computer and its server to fulfill its traditional computational roles. There is currently no E911 support for any type of Thin Client. A hard phone is the recommended deployment solution. Given the growing use of Thin Clients, CITES will begin working with stakeholders to support Thin Clients in the future. This will occur following the initial deployment of the production E911 system. Interested IT Pros with Thin Client deployments should contact cites-E911@illinois.edu for additional information.
  • Remote Desktop: A Windows feature that allows you to have access to a Windows session from another computer in a different location (XP and later). Windows Remote Desktop is not a supported environment for using Microsoft Lync.
  • Other Remote Connections: Remote connection applications (e.g. VNC) are not supported for using Microsoft Lync.

Contact Us

For further information about UC at Illinois please contact the CITES Help Desk, 217-244-7000, consult@illinois.edu.

 
Last updated Thursday, May 2, 2013, 4:58 pm