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Instant Messenger Set Up

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by aakash shah

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I currently have a network set up and I wanted to use IM within it using Windows Messenger. Can someone tell me what I would need in order to do this? I am using Windows Server 2003 and all the clients use Windows XP. DO I need any special software? Any resources would be great.

Thanks.

12 replies

by aakash shah

Thanks for responding Ken. Is there a way to do it without Exchange? I'd like to avoid buying any additional products (although Exchange is a great product). I understand that there is a SIP protocol or something that can be used. Does Windows 2003 for instance have something built in to help with this? If not, could recommend cheap alternatives?

by techierob

I know this may sound a bit silly...

You do realise that Windows XP has its own IM software built in to the OS by default? - that being windows messanger. Microsoft applications like Outlook or outlook express can intergrate with windows messanger for importing contacts and such like....

I hope that is somewhere in the general correct direction ;)

by aakash shah

Thanks for responding Techierob. True, Windows XP does include a built-in Windows Messenger. Also, Outlook does integrate with Messenger. However, if I am not mistaken, to integrate Outlook with Messenger and communicate through it, I would need an exchange server, or I would have to use the .NET service (please correct me if I am wrong). My goal is to be able to communicate without connecting to Microsoft's servers. I would like to be able to communicate directly with my other users on the network. I also would like to avoid using Exchange to do this. Is there any other way to do this?

by aakash shah

Thanks for responding BFilmFan. Will this allow me to IM via Windows Messenger? I'd like to use the Windows Messenger interface because it is more familiar.

by aquias20009

Hrm, I can't check into this right now (proxy blocked sites and they'd throw a fit if they caught me unblocking them for my own amusement) but I'd recommend reading up on trillian. Go to www.trillian.cc and read over the site.

I have not used it myself, but I know it integrates itself for use with any of the major IM programs out there (ICQ, Yahoo, AIM, MSN (I believe at least).

You'll need to check up on the FAQ's and system side of it to see if it connects up to any of the login servers you're looking to avoid.

The last option I'd have to say for you, is to look into finding a freeware version of a system connection software, several of these come with built in chat programs, perhaps one could be utilized to work within the parameters you're setting.

Another option is Hyena, although only you can send messages and cannot receive any kind of feedback through it.

by aakash shah

Thanks for responding aquias2000. I read over the Trillian web site, but it doesn't appear to fit my needs. What I am looking for is a way to use Windows Messenger over my network through my own server, i.e. exclusive of connecting to Microsoft's .NET server for authentication. I would like everything to be internal. Do you have any suggestions for this situation? Thanks.

by aakash shah

Well, it looks like Microsoft does not offer a free IM solution. So, I will have to go with BFilmFan's advice for using the open-source Jabber.
BFilmFan: please post a comment so that I may award you the points for this question.

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