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LAN Instant Messaging

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by ohm.paul

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We would like to implement an instant messaging solution for all the computers in the office. We have been looking for a program that would work for us communicating with each other, but would not allow people to talk to friends, etc in other places. However, we also want to be able to communicate with a couple of remote retail locations via the IM software.

Is there a good program that allows for LAN messaging while also allowing for connection from specific locations?

Setting up a VPN at the remote locations would be difficult because we have no IT people in those locations and they are spread out around the country.

13 replies

by pser

Nothing here though, sorry. Every where I have worked has had a "NO IM SW" policy in place. It's a security whole so I've never personally had the desire to even TRY ANY IM stuff. That's why we have email, and god forbid ... phones! ;)

I used the term 'LAN IM Software' on a Google search and there were lots of hits. With a little research you may be able to find what you're looking for.

Much Luck!

BTW: You may want to re-post this in "Questions" rather than "Discussions". Which is where you are now. Maybe you'll find some answers there ...

by forum surfer

We do provide IM solutions. There are alot of good alternatives to the usual yahoo/google/aol junk that should only be used at home. There are cisco/nortel alternatives that work beutifully, albeit expensive.

Then there's stuff like this:

http://www.wiredred.com/secure-im-download/

Let's not forget about Groove, which has been acquired by Microsoft and can be purchased with office products. It's a neat solution, but I personally didn't approve of it prior to Microsoft's purchase. It was a resource hog on the local machine, p4's with and a bandwidth hog. Maybe it was a bandwidth hog just in my instance for my network as I had users sharing huge CAD drawings. I eventually blocked all access to Groove server subnets (and it actually worked!)and made group policies restricting it's software installation. I honestly haven't evaluated Groove again now that it is included in certain Office 07 packages, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

by ohm.paul

i figured that it was a security hole, so I would be most interested in just allowing the LAN computers to be able to communicate with each other, and probably set up the ASA firewall to block any incoming or outgoing IMs. What is the protocol/port that IMs use so that I know what to block?

by forum surfer

:)

Seriously, a few different clients get around IT folk blocking them by using different ports. Google and a few others use port 5222, yahoo uses 5010. A few others use 5190, 4001, 3474, 7320 and 4000. There are quite a few, so it isn't exactly easy to do. Do some research and you'll see it's easier to at the firewall (or asa in your case, very nice!)and use a web filtering device in conjunction with it. Most have configurations that allow you to check the magic box and disable IM's the easy way.

If you use some of the hig end IM solutions or Microsft's own Live communicator server...you can assign through ADUC who gets to use the IM and to what extent. You can then allow certain users to (dare I say it?) connect to outside messengers, but it's on a per user basis so that's kind of nice!

There are quite a few that don't operate on a p2p basis and integrate with naduc if you look around.

by notsochiguy

I worked at a place that used Alcatel for all the main and branch sites. Part of the package was this 'My Teamwork' applet. It could operate as an IM client, as well as a virtual meeting place (w/ conference calling and app sharing capabilities). I was fairly impressed with the tool

If you do have a single telephony platform across your sites, this may be an option worth pursuing (if it is available from your provider).

Another option would be to utilize a portal application that has integrated chat functionalities; assuming that you could actually make use of the portal features, too.

by ohm.paul

unfortunately, each of our locations has a different system, so such a program would not be possible, however, it would still be good to have something like this just for inside our main office, I will look into our provider's services

by jmgarvin

Have you looked at Jabber? There are also other solutions like softphones.

What do you want to do? What are your requirements?

by dumphrey

I set up a server a while back, it took maybe 30 minutes, and another 45 to get some better setings in place. I never implemented it, and never considered it in terms of crass lan communications. But, I think you can set ports and allowed servers. Using non-standard ports, custom dns records, and firewall rules you should be able to make it work.

by ohm.paul

yea, i've heard of jabber from a few different people, so I will definitely be looking into it. As for my requirements, it would just be for inter-office quick communications, in cases when you are already on the phone and just need to send a quick message, nothing fancy

by m61

...all those web messengers, i believe microsoft has a web messenger, and there is meebo [and countless others]

so how do you block out web based messengers?

by forum surfer

They are easier to block than one might think...given the right knowledgeable staff with the right equipment. You can't block everything, sooner or later something new always pops up. The latest fad seems to be coming up with ways to get things like that and document sharing web based so that IT either isn't needed or isn't neccessary. You'll always end up with a better solution through IT.

IM clients over the web, web based products like go-to-mypc and online collaborations are never as robust as I hardcore solution from a knowledgable IT staff. My IM clients allow connection to softphones(configured just like your office phone, same ext), document sharing, video confderencing and other features you won't get in a web based solution. Take a laptop with you (so long as it has a buil in mic) and with vpn you have a totally mobile office complete with your office phone. Then there are collaboration tools like sharepoint and others which are far more robust than google docs.

Internet apps designed to circumvent IT have gotten better, but they'll never be the real thing...just a cheap imitation.

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