TechRepublic Tutorial: Use Ipswitch Instant Messaging as an internal IM solution

by Scott Lowe MCSE | Jun 26, 2003 7:00:00 AM

Tags: Instant messaging, Scott Lowe MCSE, Ipswitch Inc., Ipswitch IM, IM, server

Takeaway: How to use Ipswitch Instant Messaging

Managing the Ipswitch IM server
Before I get into dealing with clients, I'll go over the Ipswitch IM Server Manager, which is where all the configuration for the product takes place. The manager can be run by selecting Start | Programs | Ipswitch IM Server | Ipswitch IM Server Manager. When the manager is first started, it shows the status screen, which details activity on the server. Figure B shows a blank status screen since no users are presently logged in.

Figure B

As you can see, the manager window is divided into two sections. The left side of the screen provides the buttons with the general configuration categories that are available, while the right side changes to reflect the options available in the currently selected category.

Let's take a look at each of the categories.

General server settings
Clicking the General button (see Figure C) allows you to access general settings for the service, such as the authentication database, log settings, and access control.

Figure C

If you decide to change the authentication method to Windows, you can click the Configure button within the General settings and then provide a domain name and domain controller server name.

From the general settings you can also make changes to the log file settings, change how long conversations are saved, set a maximum message size, and provide the name or IP address of a NAT gateway if you need to communicate via a NAT’d system.

User configuration
If you have opted for Ipswitch IM to handle the user database, the options are available by clicking the Users button, as shown in Figure D. If you have chosen Windows authentication, none of these options will be available.

Figure D

To create a new user, click the New button and provide an account address and password. When you are done, the user will show up on this screen as shown in the example. Note that the name of the IM server ("e2" in this case) is automatically made a part of the address. Don’t change this, or the user won’t be able to log on.

Conversation store
Ipswitch IM allows you to keep track of every chat session that takes place on your server. This can be very useful for security reasons. It can also assist in CRM efforts by allowing sales people or tech support people to record chat sessions with clients in an effort to better serve them. If you don’t want to keep track of this information, you can disable this feature on the General tab by changing the Store Conversations For __ Days value to 0. You can also view recorded conversations in the Conversation Store area, as shown in Figure E.

Figure E

Log files
In addition to conversation logging, Ipswitch IM keeps detailed logs with in-depth information on the service. Included in the log files are user authentication failures, text message sending activity logs, and more. From the Log Files screen, you can view and delete the logs.

Public contact list
Ipswitch IM provides you with a place to list public contacts that will be shown in all of the clients' public contacts lists. Since Ipswitch IM is an IM server aimed primarily at the internal IM needs of organizations, it makes sense to provide an easy method for people to find each other. Users are not automatically added to this list. In order for them to show up here, you need to add them manually, as I have done in Figure F.

Figure F

Import servers
In order to provide a level of operability with other Ipswitch IM servers and to allow them to make use of the public contacts list on this server, you need to make the appropriate choices on the Import Servers screen of the configuration (see Figure G).

Figure G

In the Import Public Contact Lists From These Servers section, specify the name or IP address of another Ipswitch IM server. Once you do this, the public users on that IM server will appear on the public contacts list for your directly connected users.

Likewise, you can choose to allow other IM servers to make use of the local public contacts list by adding appropriate IP address or hostname entries to the Allow These Servers To Import Our Public Contact List section.

I have only a single IM server on my network, so I do not have any entries in this section.

Now we're ready to take a look at client configuration.

Installing and using the client
During the installation of the IM server, the installation program also writes an installation program for the associated IM client. This executable is called IMClientxxx.exe, where xxx is the client version number. In this example, the executable on my system is called IMClient101.exe. You can use the file to install the client in any of the following ways:

Copying it to the local machine
Moving it to a central, accessible network location
Copying it to a CD
Sharing the IM server folder from the IM server

Whichever method you choose, the installation is very simple. You're asked only for the location to which you would like to write the IM client files and the name of the program group. By default, this location is C:\Program Files\Ipswitch IM, and the program group is Ipswitch IM.

Once it's installed, to execute the client, go to Start | (All) Programs | Ipswitch IM | Ipswitch IM to execute the client. Then you'll type your username and password in the logon dialog box (see Figure H). Remember that your IM username is in the format userid@server.domain. In my example, my user ID is slowe@e2.example.com.

Figure H

You can also choose to allow automatic logon upon subsequent program execution by selecting the Automatically Log On option. If you don’t want to log on and have to type your password each time you run the client, select Remember My Password. Finally, if you want to log on but don’t want anyone to be able to see that you are online, select Log On Invisible. Finally, click OK to log on.

If you have selected to enable the storage of conversations on the server, you will receive an information message informing you of the duration that your conversations are saved. Unless you choose Don’t Warn Me Again For This Server in this window, you will receive this message each time you log on.

The next screen is the contact window, where the server public contacts and your private contacts are listed (see Figure I).

Figure I

The public contacts section is enumerated based on the contents of the public contacts list on the server that you are connected to, as well as the contacts lists of any other connected servers. The personal contacts section allows you to add your own contacts. To add a new contact, simply choose Action | New Contact.

To start a conversation with a user who is logged on (identified by the yellow happy face), just double-click that user’s entry.

Summary
Quickly attaining "killer app" status in the business world, IM can dramatically improve communication among your users and between your users and customers. However, clients cannot interoperate with other IM software. They can only connect to users running the Ipswitch IM client. That's the biggest drawback in functionality—but it's also an advantage in terms of security.

All in all, Ipswitch IM provides a low-cost, secure, and capable IM solution.

2 comment(s)