Instant Messaging for Exchange Server 2003

[Zucarita9000]

Is there any instant messasing client for Exchange Server 2003? I want to use IM for our internal network, and I was wondering if there was something that worked with Exchange and AD accounts.

I read somewhere that Exchange 2000 had something like this, but MS website says that that functionality for 2003 is only available with Office Live Com. Server 2005.

 

[spyordie007]

Exchange 2000 did have built-in Instant Messaging (although I wouldnt exactly call it very feature rich). In Exchange 2003 they pulled it out of the product and built Live Communication Server (2003, and than 2005) as a replacement.

I run Live Communication Server, does a very good job. Let me know if you have specific questions about it.

Regards,
Erik

 

[Zucarita9000]

Well, I only need basic features. I was looking for a free application, I don't really need all the features provided by LCS. Do you know any?

 

[nweaver]

jabber can be encrypted and hosted in house


kinda lame that MS took that and now makes you buy another product (and probably has to be on another server, so another os license...)

even if it was just basic IM, it's still gone, or still have to pay to replace it (with an MS product)

 

[spyordie007]

Did you have SA on Exchange 2000 when they released 2003? That's how I got my LCS server licensing and CALS (I had SA on my Exchange 2000 servers and CALs).

If that's not an option there are some open source instant messaging servers out there, but I dont have any experience with them. First one that comes to mind is jabber (http://ejabberd.jabber.ru/); but a google search yields plenty of others (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&...+instant+messaging+server&btnG=Search)

 

[Robor]

Why does it have to be Microsoft or use Active Directory? There's more than a few free chat clients out there. Where I used to work there was a few sites using a chat program that didn't require 'net access. To be honest I didn't like it much because of the annoying startup splash screen. I can't remember the name of the program but I'm sure I could come up with it if you're interested.

 

[spyordie007]

and probably has to be on another server, so another os license...

I *think* they will run on the same server however I've never tried. LCS does require seperate CALs (which is typically the biggest part of the cost).

 

[Zucarita9000]

Originally posted by: spyordie007
Did you have SA on Exchange 2000 when they released 2003? That's how I got my LCS server licensing and CALS (I had SA on my Exchange 2000 servers and CALs).

If that's not an option there are some open source instant messaging servers out there, but I dont have any experience with them. First one that comes to mind is jabber (http://ejabberd.jabber.ru/); but a google search yields plenty of others (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&...+instant+messaging+server&btnG=Search)

No, this was our first server. I purchased Small Business Server 2003, with the confidence that MS still had IM in Exchange 2003... oh well.

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: Robor
Why does it have to be Microsoft or use Active Directory?

I dont know about the OP's specific needs; but one of the major advantages would be integrated login and contacts.

LCS uses AD and DNS to handle pretty much everything; so all a user has to do is put in their email address the first time they run it (no username, password, server address, etc.)

 

[spyordie007]

No, this was our first server. I purchased Small Business Server 2003, with the confidence that MS still had IM in Exchange 2003... oh well.

Might want to check out jabber than; I've never run it but heard good things about it from those who have.

 

[Zucarita9000]

Originally posted by: Robor
Why does it have to be Microsoft or use Active Directory? There's more than a few free chat clients out there. Where I used to work there was a few sites using a chat program that didn't require 'net access. To be honest I didn't like it much because of the annoying startup splash screen. I can't remember the name of the program but I'm sure I could come up with it if you're interested.

It doesn't have to be, I thought that maybe MS still had an IM client for Exchange, hidden somewhere in their downloads website.

 

[Zucarita9000]

Originally posted by: spyordie007

Originally posted by: Robor
Why does it have to be Microsoft or use Active Directory?

I dont know about the OP's specific needs; but one of the major advantages would be integrated login and contacts.

Bingo!

 

[spyordie007]

Hmm, apparently Jabber can be configured to use LDAP for user authentication and contacts:
http://support.jabber.com/troubleshooting/know_base/multiple_db.html

Sounds pretty neat.

 

[Zucarita9000]

I'll look into it... looks pretty complex, might take a few hours to configure properly. Most of the free apps that I could find are basically front-end for the messenger service, not real IM and Chat. Most of them don't support file exchange either.

 

[spyordie007]

Or considering your needs I suppose you could always use an external service (AIM, MSN, Yahoo, etc.) :roll:

 

[Zucarita9000]

Originally posted by: spyordie007
Or considering your needs I suppose you could always use an external service (AIM, MSN, Yahoo, etc.) :roll:

I could, if I can't find anything that suits my needs...

 

[nweaver]

if it's all internal, use a file server tor transfers, and Jabber can be setup local. using a web service such as MSN, AIM, etc opens problems, as you may be passing info that shouldn't be passed across the internet (goes to their server and back, iirc) and is not encrypted. not to mention, there is some level of logging by the servers (iirc)

 

[RebateMonger]

I just attended an all-day LCS 2005 workshop. The software is certainly easy to install. However, Microsoft's installation models show a shocking eight or more servers, fulfilling various functions. But a whole LCS system did run inside of a single Virtual PC Window, except for a client PC.

Pricing is around $31 per device or user, plus $800 for the Standard Edition Server. However, connectivity to MSN, AOL, and Yahoo (called "Public IM Connectivity Service") is an additional charge (around $10 per year per user).

There was a LOT of talk about the NEXT generation of LCS. So much so that I was left wondering if they are selling TODAY'S product, or TOMORROW'S.

At one time, I believe that Microsoft was giving FREE LCS licenses to those who'd owned Exchange 2000 with Software Assurance and had upgraded to Exchange 2003, since 2000 included an IM service. I suspect that offer's expired.

 

[Woodie]

Don't forget, LCS requires schema extensions to your AD. Our pricing was a bit different from yours (volume!)...but the external was the same: $10 per user--for something we use today "for free" (AIM, Yahoo!, MSN)

 

[spyordie007]

I just attended an all-day LCS 2005 workshop. The software is certainly easy to install. However, Microsoft's installation models show a shocking eight or more servers, fulfilling various functions. But a whole LCS system did run inside of a single Virtual PC Window, except for a client PC.

I'm sure they split it out to show all the roles (PSTN Gateway, Public IP Connectivity, Archiving, etc. not to mention supporting services such as AD, Certificate Services or Exchange). Even in 1000+ user deployments LCS can easily be run from a single server (in my deployment I've got under 100 users on a single server).

At one time, I believe that Microsoft was giving FREE LCS licenses to those who'd owned Exchange 2000 with Software Assurance and had upgraded to Exchange 2003, since 2000 included an IM service. I suspect that offer's expired.

Yup, that's how I got mine (SA on our volume licensing). :thumbsup:

external was the same: $10 per user--for something we use today "for free" (AIM, Yahoo!, MSN)

Keep in mind that if you are hosting it you can controll it (and archive conversations). A big plus if you're doing business-related communcation over IM.

 

[Zucarita9000]

Originally posted by: spyordie007

I just attended an all-day LCS 2005 workshop. The software is certainly easy to install. However, Microsoft's installation models show a shocking eight or more servers, fulfilling various functions. But a whole LCS system did run inside of a single Virtual PC Window, except for a client PC.

I'm sure they split it out to show all the roles (PSTN Gateway, Public IP Connectivity, Archiving, etc. not to mention supporting services such as AD, Certificate Services or Exchange). Even in 1000+ user deployments LCS can easily be run from a single server (in my deployment I've got under 100 users on a single server).

At one time, I believe that Microsoft was giving FREE LCS licenses to those who'd owned Exchange 2000 with Software Assurance and had upgraded to Exchange 2003, since 2000 included an IM service. I suspect that offer's expired.

Yup, that's how I got mine (SA on our volume licensing). :thumbsup:

external was the same: $10 per user--for something we use today "for free" (AIM, Yahoo!, MSN)

Keep in mind that if you are hosting it you can controll it (and archive conversations). A big plus if you're doing business-related communcation over IM.

Weel, I can't go to the manager and tell him to spend thousands for something that can easily be done with a $20 application. I just can't find the right one.

BTW, it's a small 30 client network. LCS seems a bit too much for me.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: Woodie
Don't forget, LCS requires schema extensions to your AD. Our pricing was a bit different from yours (volume!)...but the external was the same: $10 per user--for something we use today "for free" (AIM, Yahoo!, MSN)

If you are using it free you are not a member of a PIC federation and you might get your butt hacked. Save that stuff for home use.

$1 per month per user is at cost. MS doesn't make money off this... The $1 gets divided up to aol, msn and yahoo to cover expenses. PIC connectivity is SECURE. Endpoints are pinned down by certificates and the whole thing runs through the SIP protocol and is TLS encrypted.

Among some other technologies I do enterprise tech support at MS for LCS. I'm not on AT as much these days but PM me if you have any questions.


For home, use your MSN, AIM, Yahoo or whatever. For a corporation you shouldn't be using anything but LCS or Lotus Sametime. Anything else and you are asking for security trouble. I don't mind the minor advertisement for Lotus here...LCS absolutely kicks it's butt (Think Windows Server 2003 vs Windows 3.1)

 

[stash]

Among some other technologies I do enterprise tech support at MS for LCS

Hey I didn't know you were supporting LCS now. That's sweet. Definitely one of the coolest products we have. I've been trying to play around with it more, but I only setup basic IM with archiving in a lab (no phone stuff). Been trying to get my customer to deploy it for months. They didn't want any IM at first, since they have to archive all communications, forever. But once I showed them LCS archiving, they were pretty interested. But then the budget came into play...

 

[Woodie]

Originally posted by: Smilin
If you are using it free you are not a member of a PIC federation and you might get your butt hacked. Save that stuff for home use.

$1 per month per user is at cost. MS doesn't make money off this... The $1 gets divided up to aol, msn and yahoo to cover expenses. PIC connectivity is SECURE. Endpoints are pinned down by certificates and the whole thing runs through the SIP protocol and is TLS encrypted.

Good response. We haven't had the federation presentation yet. I hadn't put it together that it's set up w/ TLS...that's a big plus in my book. I figured the "external connectivity" use fee was just a pass-through, but it's sure nice to see confirmation of that. Although, myself and th other poster are quoting $10/user/year, and you're saying $1. ??

Get my butt hacked? ummm...I won't take that at face value. What I will agree with is that the corporate use of software (AIM/Yahoo/MSN) that's designed and contracted for the consumer market is just not a good thing. I believe the EULA for AOL even specifies home/personal use. In any case, having a supported, packaged version where the vendor is actually responsive to customer concerns is *all* good.

The discussion over the "free" client is where we (IT) have to "sell it" to the business (end users)...who may not appreciate the benefits we're talking about here. I think the part that they're excited about is the "presence" APIs...where we can code logic into our call centers, and other applications, to route communications to users w/ particular skills or knowledge. That's something that can add huge value to our communications tools.

 

[RebateMonger]

As we all know, the common IM programs are scary from a security point of view. I haven't yet looked into how using LCS would improve the situation. I do have one client that considers public IM as CRUCIAL to their business, but I don't know if I'll be able to sell them on LCS when they haven't had a problem with the free stuff YET.