update 24-5-2018:
let me provide some update on this important subject:
Brief review:
APNS is the new preferred way that Apple provides for iOS push notifications for both voice and IM.
APNS is the recommended way to go since it provides improved reliability and performance + reduced impact of Jabber on device battery.
Update:
In the past, there was a discussion that Apple will stop supporting legacy API and force all customers to use APNS in June2018 or Fall 2018. Although this is 100% in Apple's control and Apple does not disclose its plans, it seems that June 2018 will not bring any APNS enforcement. Good news for customers that have not configured APNS yet but in any case, I would strongly suggest to plan and proceed soon with APNS config to get the benefits and be ready for Apple's APNS enforcement.
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To implement APNS, you need to follow below guide:
Minimum requirements for APNS using a HTTP proxy (without using Expressway as Proxy):
CUCM and IM and Presence : 11.5(1)SU3
Cisco Jabber 11.9
Cisco Expressway X8.10.1 or better X8.11 (to be released in June - has some fixes)
Minimum requirements for APNS using Expressway as Proxy:
CUCM and IM and Presence : 11.5(1)SU4 or 12.0(1)SU2 (expected soon)
Cisco Jabber 11.9
Cisco Expressway X8.10.1 or better X8.11 (to be released in June - has some fixes)
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Hi team,
following my previous message (back in March 2017) on Apple Push Notification service (APNs),
note that APNs enforcement is moved to June 2018.
Please work with your Jabber customers to plan upgrade to latest releases supporting APNS :
CUCM11.5(1)SU3 or later
Jabber 11.9 or later
Expressway 8.10.1 or later
Deployment guide on cisco.com:
Deploying Push Notifications for Cisco Jabber on iPhone and iPad with Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 11.5(1)SU3 21/Apr/2017NEW
Related training from Partner VT :
EMEAR Collaboration PVT - Jabber Product Update - Video - Sept2017
EMEAR Collaboration PVT - Jabber Product Update - PDF - Sept2017
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Reposting from my previous message:
What is changing?
Apple has announced that it will change the way Push Notification API works in iOS in the next major releases
This API is the one used to provide notifications for IM/voice and video calls when Jabber runs in the background.
Change is that it will be mandatory to use APNS (Apple Push Notification Service) (is there today but not mandatory).
What is required?
So in order to allow Jabber for iPhone/iPad to work properly with the new Apple Push Notification Service (APNS)
(when new iOS major release is out), two things are needed:
a) upgrade Cisco UC infrastructure in releases that support new Apple Push Notification API
b) Notification mechanism requires to have CUCM connection towards Cisco Collab cloud via Expressway.
(An Expressway configured for MRA will do this job- no special config needed).
This way CUCM will interact with Apple's APNS (Apple Push Notification Service) that will trigger the notification.
Below is a high level diagram of the whole setup:
ACTION PLAN:
In summary, customers that use Jabber for iPad/iPhone should plan to upgrade their Cisco UC components in upcoming months
and utilize the Expressway for above connection so they are are ready when Apple makes this change.
Most important required change is upgrade of CUCM to 11.5 so please start talking to your customers in order to plan/schedule upgrade in the next months.
Other Jabber clients(windows, MacOS, Android) are not impacted by this change.
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hope this helps
please rate if you find this useful
rgds
Alkiviadis
DISCLAIMER: this post was created in order to provide useful info to Cisco partners and customers in my area (Greece/Cyprus and Malta). For official and updated information, please consult cisco documentation, datasheets and ordering guides.