With the Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, you have control over your PBX or PSTN connectivity using the services of a certified SBC (Session Border Controller) provider. This allows you to manage and configure dial plans to provide a uniform dialing procedure regardless of location, or to meet specific user or group needs. Understanding dial plans and their management is a pivotal component of the MS-700 exam, and in this post, we’ll delve into this topic more deeply, cementing your grasp on the concept for efficient Microsoft Teams management.
Understanding Dial Plans:
Before we get into managing dial plans, it is vital to understand what they are. Dial plans are essentially named sets of normalization rules that translate dialed numbers into an alternate format (usually E.164 format) for call authorization and routing. They define the patterns and translation required for numbers dialed from Teams or the PSTN. In Teams, each user is assigned a unique dial plan that dictates their dialing habits.
Types of Dial Plans:
There are two types of dial plans applicable in Microsoft Teams, which are:
- Service Dial Plans: These are automatically created and assigned by Microsoft Teams. You cannot modify service dial plans.
- Tenant Dial Plans: These are custom created by admins. They can be assigned globally, to a specific site, or to individual users.
Creating Dial Plans:
As an admin, you can create custom Tenant Dial Plans via the Teams Admin Center or using PowerShell.
Here’s a simple example of creating a dial plan using PowerShell:
New-CsTenantDialPlan -Identity ‘TenantDialPlan’ -NormalizationRules @{add=$rule1, $rule2} -DialPlanName ‘dialplan’ -Description ‘Custom Dial Plan’
In the above PowerShell command, a new dial plan named ‘TenantDialPlan’ is created with two normalization rules defined as `$rule1` and `$rule2`.
Managing Dial Plans:
Assigning Dial Plans:
Once you’ve created a dial plan, you can assign it to a user. A user can only have one dial plan assigned to them at a time. Here’s an example of assigning a dial plan to users:
Grant-CsTenantDialPlan -Identity ‘username’ -PolicyName ‘TenantDialPlan’
In the above command, the `TenantDialPlan` is assigned to the user specified in ‘username’.
Modifying Dial Plans:
With Microsoft Teams, you could modify existing dial plans or their normalization rules. This is extremely useful as you might need to meet changing requirements. Here’s an example of how to modify a dial plan:
Set-CsTenantDialPlan -Identity ‘TenantDialPlan’ -NormalizationRules @{remove=$rule1}@{add=$rule3}
In this scenario, the command above removes `$rule1` and adds `$rule3` to the `TenantDialPlan`.
Conclusion
Understanding, creating, and managing dial plans is a core part of managing Microsoft Teams. Dial plans allow for streamlined, efficient communication and provide an optimized user experience. By effectively leveraging dial plans, you can take full advantage of the flexibility and control offered by Direct Routing in Microsoft Teams. This understanding is crucial not only for day-to-day Teams management but also for acing the MS-700 exam.
Remember, the key to mastering dial plans is practice! So, experiment with creating your own normalization rules and dial plans, modifying them, and assigning them to users, and you’ll be a dial plan pro in no time.
Practice Test
True or False: A dial plan applies to all users in an organization.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Dial plans can be applied at different levels in the organization. They can be tenant-based, user-based, or even service-based to better meet the requirements of the organization.
Which of the following is not a type of dial plan in Microsoft Teams?
- A) Tenant dial plan
- B) User dial plan
- C) Service dial plan
- D) Region dial plan
Answer: D) Region dial plan
Explanation: In Microsoft Teams, there are only three types of dial plans: tenant dial plans, user dial plans and service dial plans. Region dial plan is not a valid type.
True or False: Microsoft Teams dial plans can only be managed via computational methods.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Teams dial plans can be managed through both computational methods like PowerShell and through the Microsoft Teams Admin Center.
How many users can be assigned to a single dial plan?
- A) 25
- B) 2,500
- C) 25,000
- D) No limitation
Answer: D) No limitation
Explanation: There’s no upper limit mentioned on the number of users assigned to a single dial plan in MS Teams.
Which of the following is not a necessary component of creating a dial plan?
- A) Defining calling patterns
- B) Choosing a dial plan location
- C) Creating a name and description for the dial plan
- D) Assigning channels for the dial plan
Answer: D) Assigning channels for the dial plan
Explanation: Creating a dial plan involves defining calling patterns, choosing a dial plan location, and creating a name and description. Assigning channels is not part of this process.
True or False: It is possible to create a normalization rule which automatically formats phone numbers for users.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Normalization rules can be created within dial plans to format phone numbers to a standard pattern, increasing usability and consistency for users.
Which command would you use to create a dial plan using PowerShell?
- A) New-CsTenantDialPlan
- B) Set-CsDialPlan
- C) Get-CsDialPlan
- D) Import-CsDialPlan
Answer: A) New-CsTenantDialPlan
Explanation: The PowerShell cmdlet to create a new dial plan in Teams is “New-CsTenantDialPlan”.
True or False: You can assign a dial plan to a user through both the Teams admin center and PowerShell.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Dial plans can be assigned to users through both the Teams admin center and using PowerShell commands.
What is the purpose of creating a normalization rule in a dial plan?
- A) To format phone numbers
- B) To monitor user activity
- C) To manage team channels
- D) To assign users to the dial plan
Answer: A) To format phone numbers
Explanation: Normalization rules within dial plans are used to format phone numbers, allowing them to be dialed in a consistent way.
True or False: Operator Connect supports service dial plans.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: As of the present, Operator Connect only supports tenant dial plans and not service dial plans.
Which PowerShell command is used to remove a dial plan?
- A) Remove-CsTenantDialPlan
- B) Delete-CsDialPlan
- C) Erase-CsDialPlan
- D) Del-CsTenantDialPlan
Answer: A) Remove-CsTenantDialPlan
Explanation: Remove-CsTenantDialPlan is the correct command in PowerShell to remove a dial plan in Teams.
In Microsoft Teams, a dial plan can be applied at which levels?
- A) Tenant level only
- B) User level only
- C) Service level only
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: In Microsoft Teams, a dial plan can be applied at the tenant level, user level, and service level, depending on the requirements of the organization.
True or False: Dial plan settings can override the local settings of a user in Teams.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Dial plan settings can override user settings, ensuring a consistent experience for all users, regardless of their local settings.
What is the purpose of using dial plans in Microsoft Teams?
- A) Create secure network tunnels
- B) Allow easy file sharing
- C) Set user permissions
- D) Control dialling behaviour
Answer: D) Control dialling behaviour
Explanation: Dial plans in Microsoft Teams are used to control and influence how users dial numbers in the organization.
True or False: Dial plans in Microsoft Teams support international dialling.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Yes, dial plans in Microsoft Teams can be configured to support international dialling, ensuring a consistent user experience across global teams.
Interview Questions
What is the main purpose of a dial plan in Microsoft Teams?
A dial plan is used in Microsoft Teams to normalize phone numbers so they follow a familiar and consistent format for users. Dial plans apply a normalization rule to all phone numbers to ensure they are dialed in the correct format.
How can a dial plan be applied in Microsoft Teams?
Dial plans can be applied on a tenant, user, or default basis in Microsoft Teams.
What is the effect of multiple dial plans assigned to one user in Microsoft Teams?
When multiple dial plans are assigned to a user, Microsoft Teams will use the most specific dial plan. The order is user-level, tenant-level, and then service-level.
What is the maximum number of normalization rules one can create in a single dial plan in Microsoft Teams?
In a single dial plan in Microsoft Teams, you can create up to 25 normalization rules.
What might be the cause of failure in calling a contact in Microsoft Teams?
If the dial plan is not configured correctly, it may lead to failure in calling. The phone number might not be normalized to the E.164 format leading to call failure.
What is a normalization rule in Microsoft Teams?
A normalization rule is a rule that defines how phone numbers expressed in various formats are to be routed for a particular dial plan.
What is the format that is used for all phone numbers in a dial plan in Microsoft Teams?
In a dial plan in Microsoft Teams, all phone numbers are transformed to the E.164 format.
How can you verify if your normalization rules are valid?
Microsoft Teams provides a Test Voice Routing feature that can be used to verify if your normalization rules are valid.
How can you create a new dial plan in Microsoft Teams?
New dial plans can be created in the Teams admin center under Voice > Dial plans > Add.
What conditions are necessary for normalization rules to work in Microsoft Teams?
Normalization rules require both a pattern to match the input and a translation pattern to construct the output.
Is it mandatory to follow the E.164 format in Microsoft Teams?
Yes, for direct routing and telephone system, the E.164 standard is mandatory.
What is the significance of the “+” symbol in the E.164 format?
The “+” symbol in the E.164 format represents the international access code.
Where can you set up dial plans in Microsoft Teams?
Dial plans can be set up in the Teams admin center that is part of Office 365.
What happens if a dial plan is deleted in Microsoft Teams?
If a dial plan is deleted, all the normalization rules associated with it will also be deleted and all users who were assigned that dial plan will fall back to the tenant dial plan or the default service dial plan.
Can you edit a default dial plan in Microsoft Teams?
No, user cannot edit the default dial plan. Instead, they must create a new dial plan and assign users to it. This new dial plan then overrides the default dial plan for those users.
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